Car Suspension Problems: Signs to Look Out For

The suspension is arguably one of the most important systems in your vehicle. Without it, driving would simply be insufferable or maybe even impossible.

Like most systems, issues with the suspension can arise after some time, compromising your daily driver’s ride quality and performance. This article discusses some of the most common signs that you should look out for when spotting issues with the suspension.

The Principles of Suspension

The main job of the suspension system is to keep your tires on the road at all times while providing a comfortable riding experience. It also contributes to the following:

• Smooth ride
• Accurate steering
• Responsive handling
• Vehicle support
• Maintenance of acceptable tire wear

Without a suspension, a vehicle will easily bounce off the ground. This could result in loss of steering control followed by an accident.

Wheel Support

Any suspension system should be able to provide two kinds of wheel support: transverse and longitudinal.

Transverse Wheel Support

A suspension system having transverse or side-to-side wheel support means it can accommodate the up and down movement of the wheels. It also prevents them from moving away from the vehicle or toward its center.

Longitudinal Wheel Support

Longitudinal or front-to-back wheel support refers to the suspension’s ability to allow the wheels to move up and down. It also keeps them from moving backward when traversing over bumps.

Design Factors for Proper Handling

Suspension systems generally have two design factors that are critical to proper vehicle handling: anti-squat and anti-dive.

Anti-Squat

Anti-squat is the reaction of the vehicle body during acceleration. In most cases, acceleration causes most vehicles to squat down at the rear, which is considered normal to a certain extent.

Anti-squat refers to the acceptable degree to which such force is neutralized. A vehicle with a 100% anti-squat design will remain perfectly level even upon accelerating.

Anti-Dive

Anti-dive is the force that’s applied to the front of the vehicle upon braking. Similar to anti-squat, a 100% anti-dive design will keep the vehicle perfectly level no matter how hard you hit the brakes.

Key Parts of a Suspension System

A suspension system generally has six key parts.

Springs

All springs are intended to provide the desired ride and handling. There are two kinds of springs you’ll find in a suspension system: coil and leaf.

Coil Springs

Coil springs are round springs wrapped in a helix shape. These can be used in both front and rear suspensions.

Leaf Springs

Leaf springs have one or more strips of narrow spring steel or leaves. These leaves are padded with rubber or synthetic rubber insulators between them to allow free movement during operation.

Upon compression, leaf springs flatten and become longer. The rubber bushings in between the springs help isolate road noise from traveling into the passenger compartment.

Shock Absorbers

Shock absorbers dampen and control the movement of the springs, preventing the vehicle from bouncing up and down after hitting bumps.

Also known as dampers, shocks essentially control a vehicle’s ride handling. They control the action and reaction of springs, while the springs support the weight of the vehicle.

Wheels

The wheels are the only part of the suspension system that touches the ground. All other components work together to keep them in contact with the road surface.

Rods

Rods or strut rods provide forward and backward support to the control arms. These rods are typically attached between the control arm and one end of the vehicle frame.

Frame

The frame supports all running gear in a vehicle, including the engine, transmission, rear axle assembly, and all suspension components.

There are different types of frame designs, such as ladder, perimeter, sub-type, unit-body, and space frame.

Joints, Bearings, and Bushings

Ball joints, bearings, and bushings connect various suspension components to each other. As small as they come, these parts play a big role in the suspension’s overall performance.

Ball joints, bearings, and bushings permit sliding and twisting actions that the system requires.

How to Tell If Your Suspension Is Bad

It’s natural for suspension parts to wear out after some time given the nature of their job. When this happens, you’ll notice some signs.

Bouncy Ride

If your vehicle keeps bouncing after hitting a speed bump, chances are some parts of the suspension need replacing. In most cases, this symptom is associated with worn-out shock absorbers.

You can check the condition of your shock absorbers by pressing down on the rear bumper, which should go back to its original place. If it keeps bouncing, it’s best to have a mechanic inspect your vehicle.

Steering Problems

Steering components aren’t exactly part of the suspension, but their condition and performance say a lot about ride quality.

A loose and shaky steering wheel can point to worn-out suspension parts. However, other issues can also point to the same problem, including a snapped belt, damaged bushings, and low power steering fluid levels, among others.

Leaky Shocks

If you happen to see any fluid leaks around or above your tires, the protective cover of the shocks could have been compromised, allowing debris and other contaminants to settle in the suspension.

Uneven Corners

A vehicle that has one side sitting lower than the other could mean there’s a damaged spring somewhere. But don’t settle for that assumption yet, as an underinflated tire can also lead to the same result.

Excess Tire Wear

After thousands of miles on the road, tires are meant to wear out. A well-maintained suspension will cause them to wear out evenly, while a problematic one will cause them to develop cupping and ridges in random places.

Driving with Worn-Out Suspension Parts

Issues with the suspension won’t necessarily stop the engine from running, which means you’ll still be able to drive your car around.

However, keep in mind that maintaining stability is one of the system’s main responsibilities. Issues with the suspension can make you lose control of the steering wheel and increase the risk of getting into an accident.

Make sure to familiarize yourself with the symptoms of suspension trouble so that you can contact your mechanic right away to perform the necessary repairs.