How Does Volkswagen’s Broken Rear Springs Affect Its Performance
The rear springs in Volkswagen vehicles are a suspension component located at the rear of the car. The springs, along with the entire suspension system, support vehicle weight, maintain ride height, absorb road shocks, and maintain tire contact with the road. The rear spring is crucial among the suspension components, as the rear of the Volkswagen carries varying weight and is responsible for the vehicle's stability.
Metal fatigue, corrosion, impact forces, overloading, and manufacturing faults are the primary causes of rear spring breakage. The primary effect is a loss of suspension and vehicle stability, which, again, directly affects the vehicle's performance. Bertini's German Motors is Rosville's premier German vehicle specialist, and here is what our expert technician has to say about the effect of a broken rear spring on a Volkswagen's performance.
Detrimental Effects of Broken Rear Springs on Performance
Loss of Ride Comfort
This is the most immediate and noticeable effect of a broken rear spring. Without a fully functioning rear spring, the shock absorber alone bears all road imperfections, resulting in reduced ride comfort. The affected corner of the car feels stiffer and crashes more frequently over bumps, resulting in a harsh, bouncy ride. Additionally, the suspension often bottoms out, causing the chassis to hit the bump stops and creating loud thunks that could damage other components.
Compromised Handling and ability
A broken rear spring directly affects the car's ability to maintain an even, balanced stance, posing safety risks to the car and its passengers. Here, the vehicle sags noticeably on one side, creating an imbalance that affects the car's centre of gravity. During cornering, the vehicle also leans excessively toward the broken spring, resulting in unstable handling. The uneven weight distribution and compromised suspension of the Volkswagen also cause the tire on the affected side to lose optimal road contact, reducing grip and increasing the risk of skidding and road incidents.
Impaired Braking Performance
The suspension and brake systems significantly interact, and a broken rear spring profoundly affects the Volkswagen's ability to stop safely and efficiently. If you are performing hard braking, the front of the car dives severely, by shifting its weight off the already compromised rear end. Additionally, with less effective downward pressure from the suspension, the rear tires lose traction more easily, resulting in increased stopping distances. This could lead to premature ABS engagement or even rear-wheel lock-up, causing loss of control. Uneven braking is another performance issue in which the vehicle pulls to one side during braking, requiring more effort to keep it straight.
Accelerated Tire Wear
The uneven load distribution and altered suspension geometry put abnormal stress on the tires, causing uneven wear on one or both rear tires. Specific wear patterns are evident on the tire attached to the broken spring, including feathering, cupping, or excessive wear on one edge. The unpredictable handling, compromised braking, and reduced stability due to a tire malfunction make the vehicle more difficult to control, especially during emergency maneuvers. Also, during adverse weather conditions or during sudden evasive actions, a broken spring could cause loss of vehicle control.
Accelerated Wear on Other Components
On top of tires, a broken spring also damages other surrounding suspension and steering components. The shock absorber on the fractured spring's side gets overworked and fails prematurely. The increased impact and movement accelerate wear on control arm bushings, ball joints, and tie rod ends, leading to more steering and stability issues. In some cases, repeated hard impacts can also damage the vehicle's subframe or suspension mounting points.
Noise and Vibration
Although a minor issue compared to the above implications, a broken spring also causes unusual and unpleasant sounds. A distinct metallic clunk or rattle sound, especially over bumps, is heard due to rear spring damage. The free movement of broken spring pieces or other overloaded components causes this.
Bertini's German Motors: Premier German Auto Service Shop in Roseville
If you're experiencing performance issues with your Volkswagen due to broken rear springs,
visit Bertini's German Motors, our auto service shop, for the best German auto repair in Roseville. We specialize in German auto repair, offering
impeccable maintenance and repair services. Our facility is equipped with
ASE-certified technicians
and factory-grade repair and scanning tools, enabling them to perform high-quality repairs. We back our work with a
36,000-mile/36-month nationwide warranty. Operating from 600 Vernon St., Roseville, we also extend our services to the nearby cities, including Sacramento, Granite Bay, Citrus Heights, Lincoln, Auburn, and Carmichael in the state of California.
