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Rear Suspension Sagging and Uneven Ride Height on 2019 Acura ILX

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Brittany E. · rep 0 · May 22, 4:57 AM · 1 replies · solved · Question

Vehicle: 2019 Acura ILX Premium

Hi all,

I've got a 2019 Acura ILX with about 60,000 miles, and I've started to notice that the rear of the car seems to be sitting lower than it used to. It's particularly noticeable on the passenger side, making the car look a bit lopsided. When I measure from the ground to the fender arch, there's a clear difference between the left and right rear, and both seem lower than the front.

I haven't been carrying any heavy loads, and I don't recall hitting any major bumps recently. The ride quality also feels a bit softer and bouncier in the rear. Could this be a failing spring or a strut issue? What's the typical lifespan for these components on an ILX?

✓ Accepted solution

ClearTheCode Admin

ClearTheCode Team · rep 0 · May 22, 4:57 AM

0

ClearTheCode admin answer:

Uneven ride height and a sagging rear on your 2019 Acura ILX, especially with a softer, bouncier ride, strongly suggest an issue with your rear suspension components. At 60,000 miles, it's certainly within the realm of possibility for wear to start showing.

Most Likely Causes:

  1. Broken or Sagging Coil Spring: This is the most common cause of uneven ride height and sagging. Coil springs can break due to fatigue, corrosion, or impact. Even if not visibly broken, they can lose their tension over time, leading to a lower ride height. If only one side is affected, it's almost certainly a spring issue on that side.
  2. Worn Struts/Shocks: While worn struts primarily affect ride quality (bounciness, poor damping) rather than ride height directly, severely degraded struts can contribute to a feeling of sag and certainly exacerbate the bounciness you're experiencing. They might also leak fluid.
  3. Damaged Strut Mounts: The top mounts for the rear struts can wear out or collapse, which could contribute to a slight drop in ride height and potentially introduce noise.
  4. Rear Control Arm Bushings: While less likely to cause significant sag, severely worn control arm bushings could allow for some play and affect overall geometry, but typically present with clunking noises.

When to see a shop:

  • Soon: While not an immediate safety hazard like brake failure, a sagging suspension affects handling, tire wear, and overall vehicle stability. It's best to address it before it leads to further issues.
  • If you're not comfortable inspecting under the car or if you need to confirm the exact cause.
  • A professional can safely lift the vehicle and perform a thorough inspection of all rear suspension components.

Recommended Steps:

  1. Visual Inspection: Safely jack up the rear of your ILX and support it with jack stands. Carefully inspect the rear coil springs for any cracks, breaks, or signs of corrosion. Pay close attention to the passenger side. Also, look at the struts for any signs of fluid leaks (oily residue).
  2. Bounce Test: Push down firmly on the rear fender above each wheel and release. If the car bounces more than 1-2 times before settling, your struts are likely worn out.
  3. Measure Ride Height: Measure from the center of the wheel hub to the fender arch on both sides to confirm the exact difference. This data will be useful for your mechanic.

Given the unevenness, a broken or severely fatigued coil spring on the passenger side is a strong suspect. It's generally recommended to replace springs and struts in pairs (both rears) to maintain balanced handling and ride quality.

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