Reply to "URGENT HELP - roadtrip suspension issue"

[quote]I suspected a broken spring, but can't find a break anywhere.

.........I would think if the spring was the cause of that issue, the break would be pretty obvious. You might try tapping on the spring to listen to how clear it 'rings'?

I did hit a pothole today on a highway which may have bent the strut, would that cause this issue?

.........It just might.

Is it safe to drive with a bent strut, just until I get home?

...........Safe is a subjective term. If I'd checked ALL LH and RH front suspension nuts and bolts to assure yourself something wasn't snapped but still resting in place, and thus sure nothing was going to fall off, then sure, drive it. Slowly. Smoothly. How many miles to home?

The strut mount is not bent and upper and lower suspension arms look fine.

One other issue to note is that it was recently aligned and I noticed the two bolts holding the upper ball joint are about 5 threads tighter than the other side. Does the upper ballpoint have a torque spec? Can an overnighted upper ball joint cause this problem?

......I can't see how the two bolts holding the upper ball joint could compromise the ball joint function even if radically over torqued.

On your next inspection, pay special attention to the LOWER ball joint function and movement. They take the brunt of pot hole impacts.

From what you've told us, I'd suspect problem with your shock (strut). Possibly internal rather than visually bent.

Long distance troubleshooting, always fun.

Larry