Can You Drive With A Damaged Suspension?

Theoretically, you can drive with a damaged suspension system, but it isn't advisable. Your car's suspension system includes the wheels, tires, springs, and linkages. If some suspension system parts break down when you are driving, call a towing service and have it hauled to your mechanic. 

These parts include the following.

Flat Tire 

If your vehicle has a flat tire, you can either replace it or contact towing services for roadside assistance. Don't attempt to drive with a flat tire unless you are pulling over the side of the road. Driving with flat tires will only increase damage and repair costs. 

Opting to drive your vehicle to the mechanic or nearest repair shop may damage your wheel, alignment, brakes, and steering system.

Broken Struts 

Struts are essential components of the suspension system as they connect to the steering mechanism, shock absorbers, and coil springs. Driving with a broken or damaged strut presents a safety risk for you and your passengers. 

Struts don't wear out quickly, and neither do they require regular replacement like wiper blades. However, this doesn't rule out regular inspection. Struts rarely break down, but when it happens, you will have trouble stabilizing, controlling, or breaking in adverse weather conditions. 

In case your struts break down when driving, stop the vehicle, inspect the damage and contact towing services. Driving in such conditions may cause steering or suspension damage. 

Broken Coil Spring 

Broken coil springs aren't uncommon; thus, drivers are often tempted to continue driving. Like most suspension system parts, coil springs won't break down easily unless subjected to abuse or consistent overloading. 

In theory, you can continue driving with broken coil springs. If nothing else breaks, you will only have a noisy and rough ride. If everything goes wrong, you will have less control, and the broken springs could damage other parts. 

Once the coil springs break, most of the vehicle's weight will rest on the tires. The increased weight and pressure can damage the tires, leading to costly repairs. Therefore, if your vehicle has broken coil springs, don't drive it; instead, contact towing services. 

Broken Wheel

You can drive on a cracked wheel and probably won't notice until it's broken or diagnosed in your local tire shop. However, if you notice cracks on your wheel, don't drive the vehicle because they will only get larger as you drive. 

If you accidentally hit a ditch, bump, or pothole, the impact could cause a blowout leading to an accident. If you spot the cracks, pull over or have it towed to the repair shop.