Three of the newest buses in the Citylink bus system were pulled from service Thursday while they await repairs to their front end suspension.

The buses were all removed from service after a driver complained of “bumping” in one of the buses Thursday, according to Sandy Buchanan of Western Maine Transportation Services. WMTS operates the Citylink system for the Lewiston Auburn Transit Committee.

“Our mechanics looked at it, and found a situation that could have damaged the vehicle,” she said. A bolt that connects the front suspension had loosened in two of the vehicles and broken in the third.

The mechanic checked with officials at the Maine Department of Transportation, who suggested checking the other buses. All three were manufactured by Bluebird and were 2006 models purchased last year. A fourth Bluebird bus was inspected and did not have the problem, Buchanan said.

“They should be back in service in 24 to 48 hours, depending upon how quickly we get the parts back,” she said.

Buchanan said similar Bluebird buses in the city of Bangor’s bus system had been removed from service as well.

“They only have one Bluebird bus, but they found the same situation with it,” she said.

The buses will be replaced with others from the WMTS fleet in the meantime, according to Marsha Bennett of the transit committee. The change will affect passengers on the free downtown shuttle and the Main Street, Lewiston route.

“Passengers will notice a difference, and we just want to reassure them that it’s under control,” Bennett said.