Tips to Identify Broken Rear Springs in Your Volkswagen
by europewpadmin June 6, 2020Your Volkswagen suspension uses springs at the front and the rear of the vehicle to help give you a more comfortable ride. The springs are needed to keep your wheels (and therefore your car) sitting level when navigating uneven road surfaces. They also help to reduce jolting by absorbing the bumps in the road. When you drive over a speed bump, for example, the springs will contract to allow the wheel to raise up over the bump. When you drive over a pothole the springs will expand to help your wheel reach the dip in the road.
As you can see, springs are essential to both your front and rear suspension. In this article, we’ll explore how you can tell if the springs in your rear suspension have broken, allowing you to be swift in undertaking the necessary repair work.
Broken Springs
The springs in your VW’s suspension are hardy and will usually last the entire lifespan of your car. They will rarely break entirely but may seize up or become impaired.
Factors that can increase the likelihood of a broken spring include driving through water and mud frequently, driving in hazardous terrain, prolonged water exposure, and excessive loads upon the vehicle.
A broken spring compromises the handling and safety of your vehicle, so it isn’t wise to drive with a dysfunctional spring. There are some symptoms that can help you tell when this has occurred, so let’s explore those below.
Signs of Broken Rear Springs
Sagging Vehicle
As mentioned, your springs are in charge of keeping your VW even. When one spring has failed, you’ll likely notice the vehicle sags in the direction of the failed part. In the rare case that all your springs are weakened, you’ll notice your entire VW sags lower to the ground. The amount of sagging you experience will get worse over time and could leave you feeling like your entire VW is leaning to one side. You may also notice vehicle sagging when visually inspecting your vehicle in your driveway or a parking lot.
Uneven Tire Wear
Uneven tire wear can be caused by suspension misalignment as well as under- or over-inflated tires. It can also be caused by damaged springs. If you find your rear tires show accelerated or uneven wear, then it is likely the rear or sometimes the front springs have become damaged. The accelerated wear can cause you to shell out for a new set of rear tires much more quickly than your front tires. The increased wear is caused by the even weight distribution of the car because of the failure of one or more of the springs.
Rear Suspension Noises
Damaged rear springs can cause your suspension to become noisy. The springs work with the shocks to dampen the noise produced by driving along uneven road surfaces. You’re most likely to hear noises, even as loud as a clunking noise, when you navigate potholes.
Bouncy Suspension
The springs are needed to reduce the bounce of your VW as it navigates uneven surfaces. Therefore, if they are damaged, it may feel like you are riding in a bounce-house! If passengers complain that your backseat is particularly bouncy, the problem is likely isolated to your rear suspension springs.
VW Sways Abruptly
The scariest symptom of bad springs is probably the swaying of your vehicle. This stems back to the fact that springs are needed to keep your VW level, so without them working correctly, your VW can start to sway. The swaying will feel most alarming when you are making a tight corner, as these are moments where your VW will lose centralization. Excessive vehicle sway can be a dangerous driving distraction that can leave you at great risk of an accident.
Visit European Auto Tech
If your VW starts to bounce or sway, it is 
important to your safety to get an inspection and repairs without delay. Broken rear springs serve as a distraction and a hazard, which renders your car unsafe. If you’re located in any of our service areas and you’ve started to notice rear suspension problems, visit our team at European Auto Tech for diagnostics and repairs.
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