What are signs of bad suspension?

Common signs of suspension system damage include abnormal body swaying or a "boat-like floating sensation" while driving, particularly when the rear end continues to oscillate for over 3 seconds after traversing speed bumps at 40-60 km/h, accompanied by steering wheel vibrations-this typically indicates shock absorber damping degradation or internal structural damage. Deteriorated braking performance also warrants attention: if the vehicle's front end dips more than 5 cm during emergency braking with a 10%-15% extended stopping distance, coupled with abnormally frequent ABS activation, this often results from inadequate shock absorber support causing uneven tyre grip distribution. Abnormal tyre wear patterns should not be overlooked; unilateral sawtooth-shaped wear with over 50% accelerated wear rate usually stems from wheel alignment deviations induced by shock absorber failure. Additionally, any of the following conditions require prompt inspection: weeping oil stains on shock absorber bodies, oil droplet seepage beneath dust boots, body response delays exceeding 0.5 seconds during high-speed lane changes, or aggravated understeer during cornering. Manufacturers recommend inspecting shock absorber seals every 20,000 km and testing rebound characteristics by depressing each corner (normal operation should exhibit prompt settling). Professional diagnosis should be sought immediately upon detecting these symptoms, as delayed intervention may trigger cascading suspension damage, potentially increasing repair costs by 30%-50%.