Learn about what a car suspension system actually is, the different parts to the car suspension system and common tell-tale signs that your car suspension system is failing.
How do you know if your car suspension system is damaged or failing? What are the signs and what do you need to do about them? in this article we take a look at what your suspension system actually is, outline the signs of damage or failure with your suspension system and suggest what you do about it.
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What is a car suspension system?
What car parts comprise a car suspension system?
What are common tell-tale signs that your car suspension system is failing?
Your car’s suspension sits at the top of the critical-car-components’ list together with the engine, transmission and brakes. The suspension connects your car’s chassis to the wheels and in the process plays three critical roles. These are:
- Ensuring there is maximum friction between the tyres and road surface when the car is accelerating, cruising, and/or braking;
- Evening out bumps on the road to provide passengers with a smooth and comfortable ride, and;
- Providing steering stability and good handling.
While modern vehicle suspension systems are designed to endure the stresses that come with performing these functions for a long time, they will eventually wear – and in extreme situations completely break down. That’s why it’s imperative that you consistently check the suspension system to ensure it’s working properly as a broken suspension could lead to a host of other car issues.
What is in a car suspension system?
Modern car suspensions comprise of numerous different parts and will vary tremendously from one vehicle to another depending on the design. They all, however, share certain major subsystems that cut across regardless of the varying design implementations. Some of these components are more susceptible to wear (and failure) than others. The main car suspension components are:
Wheels and tyres
They are rarely considered part of the car’s suspension system but, in reality, probably are the most important parts of the entire system. Other than providing the traction needed for acceleration, cornering and braking; car tyres also provide the first cushion for absorbing small bumps and road imperfections.
Springs
All vehicles today, car or truck, have some kind of spring to absorb the larger bumps. Springs can come in the form of coil springs, torsion bars or leaf springs. Because they have to bend in response to the motion of the car, they can sometimes break when the car hits a large bump hard and will generally sag as they wear. They are, however, less prone to failure compared to most other suspension components.
Shock absorbers and struts
Shock absorbers and struts are pretty similar, but a strut is a slightly “more advanced” shock absorber as it incorporates a coil spring within its structure. Struts and shock absorbers similarly perform the same function which is to dampen the spring’s movement and stop it from bouncing and oscillating.
Struts and shocks are filled with a thick oil that could leak over time due to wear or damage from accidents and impacts causing them to fail.
Linkages
These include a variety of rods as well as other connecting pieces that together keep the car’s wheels in the right place relative to its body. Majority of the linkages in a car’s suspension are solid metal parts which makes them resistant to failure except in the case of a major accident. Linkages could, however, have bushings which would necessitate replacement of the entire assembly when a bushing fails.
Bearings, bushings and joints
Because suspensions are all about motion, various linkages will need to be connected using flexible connections. The connections include bearings and bushings – which allow slight twisting and sliding movements, often without the need for lubrication – and joints, which do require a lubricant for them to allow controlled movements.
Bushings (which are made of rubber) will generally degrade over time and fail eventually like other rubber parts. Joints also wear out with time causing them to get lose and eventually fail.
So, how do you tell whether your suspension system is broken or failing?
Diagnosing a broken car suspension
There are several common tell-tale signs that you should look out for to find out whether your car’s suspension system is failing. These are:
- Rough ride. Pay attention to the quality of your car’s ride, if it feels like it has been getting progressively worse, then it’s very likely that your car struts or shock absorbers are worn or damaged and need replacing. A rough ride could also be accompanied by squeaks, creaks, clunks and/or rattles further pointing to a broken suspension.
- The car pulling to one side. Pulling or drifting to one side when you are driving is also a pretty common sign of a suspension problem. This might be the result of poor alignment, a broken spring, or shocks that can no longer provide adequate stability to the car’s body when it’s acted upon by the centrifugal force during turns.
- One corner sitting low. If you notice your vehicle sitting unusually low in one corner as compared to the rest while parked on a level ground, then the culprit is usually a broken suspension.
- Exaggerated squatting and diving. ‘Squatting’ is when your car tilts downwards at the back when accelerating while ‘diving’ is when the car lurches downwards at the front when you brake. When these movements are too pronounced, then chances are that your struts or shocks are worn and need to be replaced.
- Difficulty steering. Another sign you will notice when you have a broken suspension is increased difficulty in steering, especially when the car is moving at a slow speed. This is usually caused by worn-out control arm bushings – but be sure to troubleshoot other steering components just to be sure.
- Uneven tyre wear. Your car’s suspension is responsible for ensuring your car’s tyres make proper contact with the ground. When the suspension is not working properly, you will notice that the treads on your tyres will wear unevenly. This is a sign to get your vehicle’s suspension checked out.
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