Your car’s suspension system is one of its most important components. While the engine provides the acceleration and the brakes enable the car to slow down and stop, it’s the suspension system that enables the driver to control the car and its direction.
The suspension system enables you to control your car by maximising the friction between its wheels and the road surface, transferring the wheels’ vertical energy from the frame as it travels over bumps in the road and provides comfort for you and your passengers.
Without a correctly and efficiently operating suspension system, you wouldn’t only be uncomfortable, but also at great risk of an accident as you wouldn’t be able to exert sufficient control over your car. Here are five tell-tale signs that you need to change or repair your car’s suspension.
1. Difficulty Steering
If you find it difficult to steer your car, especially at low speeds, there’s something wrong with your suspension system. This may feel like the steering is heavy, or it could feel as though it’s slipping and pulling the car to one side or the other. While this could be something as simple as low steering fluid levels, it could be a sign of a far greater problem.
2. Pulling to One Side
A common suspension problem, when a car pulls to the side it’s a sure-fire sign that something is wrong. This problem is also commonly caused by uneven tread wear and tyre pressure, so before you start looking for broken springs and control arms, check your tyres first.
3. Rolling and Leaning
When a car rolls from side to side when in motion, the problem usually relates to its shocks and/or struts. You may also notice that one corner of the car is sitting lower than the others. This problem will generally be noticeable in all vehicles with shocks and/or struts that need replacing.
4. Nose Diving When Stopping
Even a brand-new car may nose dive when the brakes are applied suddenly (in an emergency braking situation) but if your car nose dives, or leans back when you accelerate, in normal driving conditions it’s a tell-tale sign that your shocks and struts need to be replaced.
Failing to replace these important suspension components will also place greater pressure on other parts of the system, with the effect that they’ll experience greater wear and tear.
5. Riding Rough Over Every Bump
Cars that bounce about as they’re driven over imperfections in the road surface need attention. This common problem could be a worn shock absorber that’s leaking fluid (this fluid reduces the bouncing) or it could be a worn leaf spring.
To check for a worn shock absorber, give your car the ‘bounce test’ by putting all your weight on the front of your parked car, releasing the pressure and observing how it responds. If it bounces more than three times, the shocks need to be replaced.
Offering the best 4WD suspension in Perth, West Coast Suspensions are here to manage all your suspension needs. Get in contact with the team today to discuss your car’s suspension requirements.