vansuspension system works hard, to ensure driving comfort by smoothing out bumps in the road surface and providing traction by keeping the wheels on the ground as much as possible.
But how do you know if there is something wrong with your suspension? Here are some common signs of suspension problems.
Pulls to one side while driving
If you notice that your car is pulling to one side or the other while driving, the problem is with your tires, shock absorbers or brakes.
Tires must be precisely aligned (i.e. camber, caster and toe-in) to ensure a smooth ride. Take a look at the tread of your tires to see if they are wearing evenly and check that the tires are properly inflated, as under or over-inflated tires can affect your stability while driving.
If the problem persists after checking your tires, check your suspension system. Do you see signs of wear or damage to your shock absorbers, ball joints or control arms? If you are not sure what you are looking for, it is best to contact a qualified technicianSuspension problems can have serious consequences for safety.
Feel every bump
One of the most important tasks of the suspension system is to smooth out irregularities in the road surface. If you start to feel every bump in the road, this is a clear sign that there is a problem with your shock absorbers or struts that needs to be checked.
An easy check is the rejection test. Simply push your entire weight onto the hood of your car. Let go and count the number of times the car bounces. If it bounces more than three times, there is a problem with your shocks or struts.
An alternative test depends on whether your car has shock absorbers or struts. If your car has shock absorbers, look for leaks from the fluid that helps dampen the bounce. And if your car has struts, listen for a knocking sound when you drive over bumps.
One corner sits low
If you notice that one corner of your car seems to be much lower than the other, chances are you have a worn or damaged spring. You may also hear a rattling sound when you drive over bumps or a deep pothole.
To check this, first make sure that your tires are properly and correctly inflated. If a corner still seems to have sagged, put all your weight on the trunk of the car and listen to how the suspension responds. A squealing or screeching noise confirms that you need to have your suspension checked by a mechanic.
Diving, rolling and/or chopping
Does your car have:
- Does the nose dip (i.e. lean forward) when you brake?
- Does he roll to the side (i.e. lean from side to side) when you swing?
- Do you squat back (i.e. lean back) when you accelerate?
If you answered yes to at least one of these questions, there may be a problem with your shock absorbers or struts. You can easily check this by using the rejection test (see above). If there is a problem with your shock absorbers or struts, it is advisable to take your car to a mechanic as soon as possible, as it is dangerous to drive with worn or broken shock absorbers or struts.
Difficulty steering
If you have difficulty steering, especially when driving at low speeds, it means there may be a problem with your suspension or steering system. It could be low power steering fluid, a faulty power steering pump, a leaking power steering housing, or worn steering arm bushings.
Due to the danger of driving while your steering is not working properly, it is best to have this checked by a mechanic as soon as possible.
Oil-containing shock absorbers
Experts recommend performing a visual check of your suspension system regularly. If you notice that your shocks or struts look greasy or oily, chances are they are leaking fluid. As a result, they do not work optimally when you need them. It is therefore wise to have them checked by a mechanic.
Introduction to MOOG TV
If you plan to check your suspension system, do some maintenance or replace parts, turn to MOOG TV. Packed with useful information, interesting tips and clear video tutorials, MOOG TV is the ideal place to learn more about car maintenance.
