5 Common Heavy-Duty Suspension Problems (And How to Spot Them)

When you're hauling tens of thousands of pounds across Michigan’s potholed highways or backing into uneven job sites, your suspension system takes a beating. It's the backbone of your truck’s stability, ride comfort, and load-bearing capability. But like any system, it’s not immune to problems—and when it fails, it doesn’t go quietly.

If you’re noticing strange noises, uneven tire wear, or handling that feels off, it could be a sign of a suspension issue lurking beneath your rig.

We asked our team to identify the 5 most common suspension problems in heavy-duty trucks and how to spot them before they lead to expensive downtime.

1. Worn or Broken Leaf Springs

Leaf springs are the most common suspension type on commercial rigs. They’re reliable, affordable, and tough. But not invincible.

Over time, heavy loads, corrosion, and metal fatigue can cause leaf springs to:

• Crack or break
• Sag excessively
• Shift out of alignment

What to look for:

• A noticeable lean to one side
• Clunking noises when going over bumps
• Visible cracks or gaps between leaf packs
• Uneven ride height, even when unloaded

If one spring goes bad, it throws off the weight distribution, which stresses the remaining components and impacts drivability.

2. Failing Shock Absorbers

Your shock absorbers (shocks) aren’t just there for comfort—they’re critical for controlling rebound and keeping your tires planted on the road.

Worn shocks lead to:

• Poor traction and tire wear
• Extended braking distances
• Suspension bottoming out
• Increased body roll in corners

Symptoms to watch:

• Excessive bounce after hitting a pothole
• Fluid leaking from the shock body
• Nose-diving during braking
• Vibrations in the cab at highway speeds

Shock failure is easy to miss because it worsens slowly. Many drivers don’t realize how bad it’s gotten until they replace them. And then wonder why they didn’t do it sooner.

3. Air Suspension Leaks or Malfunctions

Trucks with air suspension offer a smoother ride and adjustable load handling. But they’re also more complex—and prone to air leaks and sensor issues, especially in Coldwater’s cold winters.

Common problems include:

• Leaky airbags
• Faulty ride height sensors
• Compressor failure
• Valve block issues

Warning signs:

• Truck leaning or sagging when parked
• Compressor running excessively
• Airbags deflated or inflated unevenly
• Dashboard suspension warning lights

If your compressor is constantly running, you’re likely fighting a leak—and that’ll wear out the entire system fast.

4. Misaligned Suspension Components

With all the abuse your suspension takes, alignment is one of the first things to go out of spec. Misalignment impacts steering, fuel efficiency (have you seen the price of diesel these days?), and safety.

This is a big deal in Michigan, where rough winter roads and heavy snow loads push suspension components to the limit.

How to tell your suspension’s out of line:

• Uneven or rapid tire wear
• Truck pulls left or right
• Crooked steering wheel
• Steering feels loose or “wanders” at high speeds

Regular MD alignment inspections can help you catch issues early, especially if your fleet hauls through cold-weather states like Michigan.

5. Worn Bushings and Mounts

Bushings are small rubber or polyurethane components that isolate vibration and keep your suspension joints from metal-on-metal contact. When they degrade, you’ll feel every bump and hear every groan.

Commonly affected areas:

• Leaf spring bushings
• Shock mounts
• Control arm bushings (on air suspensions)
• Torque rod bushings

Red flags:

• Knocking or creaking noises over rough terrain
• Loose or sloppy steering
• Excessive vibration in the cab
• Visibly deteriorated or missing bushings

Neglecting bushing wear can cause suspension components to shift, leading to alignment problems and frame stress.

Don’t Ignore the Signs

Suspension issues are more than just a comfort problem—they’re a safety and efficiency killer. Misaligned axles, worn shocks, or sagging springs can:

• Increase tire costs
• Destroy fuel economy
• Cause driver fatigue
• Lead to DOT violations
• Damage your driveline and frame

Staying Ahead with Preventive Maintenance

At Michigan MD Alignment, we help you stay ahead of suspension issues by:

• Performing regular visual inspections
• Checking air system pressure and leaks
• Monitoring ride height and tire wear
• Scheduling routine alignments, especially after component replacement
  Replacing parts before failure, not after

Your suspension does the heavy lifting—literally. Treat it right, and you’ll enjoy a safer, smoother, and more efficient ride.

Protect Your Rig—And Your Bottom Line

Don’t wait for a breakdown to tell you something’s wrong. A healthy suspension keeps your truck safer, your ride smoother, and your operating costs lower. Our team at Michigan MD Alignment provides professional heavy-duty suspension repairs and maintenance to keep your operations on the road and running strong, mile after mile.