Suspension Repair Near Me in Rohnert Park & Sonoma County
TL;DR - Quick Answer:
Is your car bouncing over bumps? Pulling to one side? Hearing clunking noises? Get expert suspension repair near you at Rohnert Park Transmission & Auto Repair. We replace shocks, struts, springs, ball joints, control arms, and all suspension components. ASE certified, ATRA certified, AMRA MAP Participating Facility, BBB A+ rated, nearly 30 years experience. Call (707) 584-7727 for a free suspension inspection.
Your suspension system keeps your tires firmly on the road, your ride comfortable, and your vehicle safe to drive. When suspension components wear out, your stopping distance increases, handling becomes unpredictable, and tires wear unevenly. Our ASE certified technicians provide expert suspension repair to restore your vehicle's ride quality and safety.
Signs Your Suspension Needs Repair
TL;DR: If your ride has changed — bouncier, noisier, pulling, or just not feeling right — your suspension likely needs professional attention. These symptoms get worse over time and affect safety.
- Excessive bouncing after hitting bumps — the car keeps rocking
- Nose diving forward when braking, even at moderate speeds
- Body roll and leaning excessively in turns
- Uneven or rapid tire wear (cupping, scalloping, one-sided wear)
- Clunking, knocking, or rattling noises over bumps or rough roads
- Vehicle sitting lower on one side or sagging in the rear
- Steering feels loose, wanders, or pulls to one side
- Harsh, jarring ride over even minor road imperfections
Why Suspension Repair Matters for Safety
Your suspension is not just about comfort — it is a critical safety system. Worn suspension components directly compromise your ability to control your vehicle:
- Increased stopping distance — worn shocks cannot keep tires planted during braking
- Reduced control in emergency maneuvers and lane changes
- Premature tire wear costing hundreds in unnecessary tire replacement
- Unpredictable handling in curves, especially on Sonoma County's winding roads
- Ball joint or tie rod failure can cause sudden loss of steering control
Suspension Components We Repair & Replace
TL;DR: We repair and replace every suspension component on every vehicle. From shocks and struts to ball joints and control arms — our technicians have the tools and training for every suspension system design.
Shocks (Shock Absorbers)
Dampen the bouncing motion of your springs to keep tires in contact with the road. Worn shocks cause a bouncy ride, poor braking, and excessive body movement.
Struts
Structural suspension components combining a shock absorber, spring seat, and steering pivot. Failed struts cause clunking noises, poor handling, and uneven tire wear.
Coil & Leaf Springs
Support your vehicle's weight and absorb road impacts. Broken or sagging springs cause the vehicle to sit low, ride harshly, and handle unpredictably.
Ball Joints
Pivot points connecting the steering knuckle to the control arms. Worn ball joints cause clunking over bumps, steering wander, and can fail catastrophically if ignored.
Control Arms & Bushings
Connect the wheel assembly to the vehicle frame and allow controlled movement. Worn bushings cause vibrations, clunking, and alignment problems.
Sway Bar Links & Bushings
Reduce body roll in turns to keep your vehicle stable. Failed sway bar links cause rattling and clunking over bumps and excessive lean in corners.
Strut Mounts & Bearings
Connect the strut assembly to the vehicle body and allow the strut to pivot with steering input. Worn mounts cause popping or creaking when turning the steering wheel.
Tie Rod Ends
Connect the steering rack to the steering knuckle and transmit steering input to the wheels. Worn tie rods cause loose steering, wandering, and uneven tire wear.
Want to learn more about steering and suspension systems? Visit our comprehensive steering & suspension repair page or read our suspension problems guide.
Our Suspension Repair Process
TL;DR: Thorough inspection, honest diagnosis, and quality repair. We replace only what needs replacing — no unnecessary parts, no padding the bill.
Visual Inspection
Inspect all suspension components for wear, damage, leaks, and play. Check ride height and look for uneven tire wear patterns.
Road Test
Drive your vehicle to evaluate ride quality, handling, noise, and overall suspension performance under real conditions.
Detailed Estimate
Explain findings with clear descriptions of what needs repair and what can wait. Provide upfront pricing before any work begins.
Expert Repair
Replace worn components with quality parts. Our ASE certified technicians follow manufacturer specifications for proper installation.
Verify & Test
Perform a final road test to confirm proper ride quality and handling. We recommend alignment service after suspension repairs.
Why Choose Us for Suspension Repair Near You?
ASE Certified Suspension Specialists
Our technicians are ASE certified and experienced with every suspension design — from traditional truck leaf springs to modern electronic adaptive suspension systems.
Complete Suspension Service
Shocks, struts, springs, ball joints, control arms, bushings, sway bars, tie rods — we repair and replace every suspension component on every make and model.
Alignment Recommendation Included
We recommend having alignment checked after every suspension repair. Proper alignment after suspension work prevents rapid tire wear and ensures safe, predictable handling.
Honest, Component-Level Diagnosis
We inspect each suspension component individually and recommend only what actually needs replacement. No blanket recommendations to replace everything at once.
Nearly 30 Years Serving Sonoma County
We know Sonoma County roads. The potholes on Rohnert Park Expressway, the winding curves of Highway 12, the rough rural roads — we see the suspension damage they cause every day.
Warranty on Parts and Labor
Every suspension repair comes with a comprehensive warranty. ATRA certified, AMRA MAP Participating Facility, BBB A+ rated — we stand behind every job.
Ride Not Feeling Right? Get a Free Inspection
If your vehicle is bouncing, clunking, pulling, or just not handling like it used to, let our ASE certified technicians take a look. We will inspect your entire suspension system and tell you exactly what needs attention — with no obligation.
How Bad Suspension Destroys Your Tires
TL;DR: Worn suspension causes uneven tire wear patterns that shorten tire life dramatically. Fixing the suspension first saves you hundreds on premature tire replacement.
One of the most common — and most expensive — consequences of neglected suspension is premature tire wear. When shocks and struts are worn, they cannot keep the tires in consistent contact with the road surface. This causes a tire wear pattern called "cupping" or "scalloping" — uneven, patchy wear across the tread that makes the tires noisy and reduces grip.
Worn ball joints and tie rod ends cause different but equally damaging wear patterns. A bad ball joint on one side will cause the inner or outer edge of the tire to wear much faster than the rest of the tread. Bad tie rods cause feathering — a directional wear pattern you can feel by running your hand across the tire tread.
The critical point: replacing tires without fixing the underlying suspension problem wastes money. New tires on worn suspension will develop the same uneven wear patterns within thousands of miles. Our approach is to fix the suspension first, recommend an alignment check, and then address tire replacement if needed — so your new tires wear evenly and last their full lifespan.
Regular tire rotation can also help identify suspension problems early, as uneven wear patterns become visible before the ride quality deteriorates noticeably. Ask about our suspension inspection with any tire service.
Suspension Repair Near You in Sonoma County
We provide expert suspension repair to drivers throughout Sonoma County. Click your city for location-specific auto repair information.
Looking for suspension repair in a specific city? Check our location pages: Santa Rosa, Petaluma, Sebastopol, Cotati, and Windsor. Also see our Santa Rosa suspension repair hub page.
Suspension Repair FAQs
Common questions about suspension repair, answered by our ASE certified technicians.
How do I know if my car's suspension is bad?
Warning signs include a bouncy or harsh ride, the vehicle pulling to one side, nose diving when braking, body roll in turns, clunking noises over bumps, uneven tire wear, or the car sitting lower on one side. We offer free suspension inspections to identify worn components. Call (707) 584-7727.
How long does suspension repair take?
Most suspension repairs are completed same-day. Simple jobs like shock or strut replacement take 2-3 hours. More involved work like control arm or ball joint replacement may take 3-5 hours. We always provide a time estimate before starting work.
Is it safe to drive with bad suspension?
Driving with worn suspension is unsafe. Bad shocks or struts increase your stopping distance, reduce vehicle control in emergency maneuvers, and cause unpredictable handling. Worn ball joints or tie rod ends can fail completely, potentially causing loss of steering control. Address suspension problems promptly for your safety.
Do I need a wheel alignment after suspension repair?
Yes, alignment should always be checked after suspension work that changes steering or suspension geometry. Skipping the alignment after repair leads to rapid, uneven tire wear and poor handling. We'll assess whether alignment service is needed and can refer you to a trusted alignment specialist.
What's the difference between shocks and struts?
Shocks (shock absorbers) are standalone components that dampen bouncing. Struts are structural components that combine a shock absorber with a spring mount and steering pivot. Not all vehicles have both — some use struts in front and shocks in the rear. Our technicians inspect your specific vehicle and replace only what is needed.
How much does suspension repair cost near me?
Suspension repair costs depend on the specific components that need replacement (shocks, struts, ball joints, control arms, bushings) and your vehicle make and model. We provide a detailed inspection and upfront estimate before any work begins. Call (707) 584-7727 for a free estimate.
What causes suspension components to wear out?
Suspension components wear from normal driving over time, but rough roads, potholes, speed bumps, and aggressive driving accelerate wear. Sonoma County's rural roads and varied terrain put extra stress on suspension systems. Most shocks and struts last 50,000-100,000 miles depending on driving conditions.
Can worn suspension damage other parts of my car?
Yes. Worn suspension components cause a chain reaction of damage. Bad shocks and struts accelerate tire wear, worn ball joints stress tie rod ends and steering components, and failed bushings put extra load on control arms and subframe mounts. Addressing suspension problems early prevents more expensive repairs later.
Do you repair suspension on all vehicle makes and models?
Yes. Our ASE certified technicians repair suspension systems on all makes and models including domestic (Ford, Chevy, GMC, Dodge), Japanese (Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Subaru), European (BMW, Mercedes, VW, Audi), and Korean (Hyundai, Kia) vehicles. We have the tools and expertise for every suspension design.
How do you diagnose suspension problems?
Our diagnosis includes a visual inspection of all suspension components, a bounce test, a road test to evaluate ride quality and handling, measurement of ride height, and checking for play in ball joints, tie rod ends, and bushings. We inspect each component individually so we can recommend only what actually needs replacement.
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Get Expert Suspension Repair Near You Today
Free suspension inspection. Same-day repairs. Quality parts and expert service. ASE certified technicians serving Rohnert Park and all of Sonoma County since 1989.