Your vehicle's suspension is an array of components that work together to carry out two main jobs - ensuring that your wheels stay where they should be, on any surface, and making sure that you don't feel every bump and jolt as you travel over that surface. In short, the primary functions of your suspension are safety and comfort. If something goes wrong, not only could it be very unpleasant for you, but very dangerous too, which is why it is a good idea to check your suspension, and replace worn or failing components as required. Have a read over the below, where we highlight the necessary checks that you can do, and the signs that you may notice, that can identify when your suspension needs to be replaced.
Sign #1 - My car is making strange sounds when I go over bumps
If your vehicle makes crunching, knocking, creaking, or rattling noises when driving over rough surfaces, (such as speed-bumps, loose gravel, potholes etc.) then it is very likely that there is something wrong with your suspension. If they are primarily knocking or creaking noises, and are unaccompanied by any of the below signs, then it is likely that you have worn or perished bushings. Bushings are most commonly made from rubber, which will decay over time - particularly in hot environments - and should always be replaced on both sides of the car at the same time.
Sign #2 - My car feels bouncy or bottoms out
If your car has suspension issues, then one of the most common issues is a bumpy or rough ride. This will often be felt in the form of bouncing after driving over bumps, or scraping on those bumps - If you find that your car scrapes on your driveway, or bottoms out over speed bumps and potholes, then it's very likely that the suspension is sagged and worn.
Sign #3 - My car nose-dives or shudders when I brake
When the shock absorbers are worn out, one of the obvious symptoms is that your car will handle badly upon firm braking. If the nose plummets, or the car seems to lurch and shudder when you stop, it is essential that you replace your shocks as the actual braking performance can be severely impacted, potentially leading to an accident due to increased stopping time and distance.
Check #1 - The Bounce test
This simple test can identify if your suspension needs to be replaced and all it takes is some flat ground to park on, and a little muscle (or weight!). Just push down on the car, over the wheel and then release. Do it a few times, to build up a bit of a bouncing motion, and then let go and count how many times the car bounces on its own. If it is any more than 2-3 bounces, then there may be an issue with your springs and shocks.
Check #2 - Tyre wear
If you notice that your tyres are wearing unevenly, it is an indicator that there could be some issues with your suspension. As mentioned above, the suspension's other job besides your comfort is to make sure that the tyres touch the road in the right way. If any part of the suspension setup is worn or perished, then the rubber might not contact the driving surface on the correct angle, and so may wear faster than usual, or unevenly either on an individual tyre or in comparison to one another.
Check #3 - Visible damage or leaking shock oil
This one is self-explanatory. If you notice that there is oil leaking from your shock absorbers (or covering the shafts) or that your coil springs are rusted, pitted or damaged, then don't delay it - get your suspension replaced. It may be harder to identify damage or wear to other components if you aren't familiar with what they look like, but a general rule of thumb is that if you can make out any perished rubber, rust and pitting, or have had a particular knock or impact (from an accident or pothole etc) then it is a good idea to have your suspension inspected, and some of it potentially replaced.
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