A damaged or deteriorating suspension can not only make your vehicle unmanageable, but also make it dangerous to drive. This is because the suspension system in your car is what allows you to control your car and the direction it moves in. Driving with a damaged suspension significantly increases your risk of having an accident and causing harm to other road users.
What does suspension do in a car?
The suspension in your car keeps all your tyres in firm contact with the surface of the road, and ensures that your steering, driving, and braking systems work effectively. It’s made up of a series of components like springs and shocks that provide you with a safe and smooth journey, no matter which type of road you’re driving on. Your suspension is also there to absorb the shock from any bumps or potholes in the road, allowing you and your passengers to have a comfortable trip.
What causes car suspension problems?
Every time you drive on a rough or uneven road, hit a bump, or go through a pothole, your suspension absorbs the shock. Over time, the components of your suspension can sustain damage from these shocks.
You might be wondering how you know when your suspension needs to be repaired or replaced. Generally speaking, your suspension will need to be replaced every 80,000 to 160,000kms, depending on your driving conditions.
But, if you’re experiencing any of the signs below, then you need to bring in your vehicle in to a TAMMS Repair Centre as soon as possible.
1. Steering your car becomes difficult
Your suspension could be lagging if you are finding your car is pulling to one side and you struggle to get the steering wheel to stay straight during normal driving. The moment you notice this issue, it’s time to bring the vehicle to your mechanic at a TAMMS Repair Centre.
2. You feel every bump in the road and your car squeaks when you go over bumps
If you’re noticing every little bump on the road, whether it’s on a residential street, main road, or freeway, your vehicle is probably bouncing up and down. Are you hearing a squeaking sound when you go over a bump in the road? This might mean the shock absorber is starting to wear. As your suspension wears, it will become increasingly difficult to keep your car under control with each bump you have to go over.
3. Your car is sitting lower on one side
When your car is parked on a flat surface, does it look like it’s sitting lower on one side compared to the other? Or does the whole car look like it’s sitting lower than it should be? This is a sign that the springs in your suspension are wearing or could even be broken. If your car is unbalanced, it can also affect the way your tyres wear. Over time, your tyres could wear unevenly and need to be replaced.
4. Problems when braking
Having a faulty suspension can be dangerous if your shock absorbers are ineffective because your car might nosedive or dip forward when you brake. This can increase your stopping distance and become a major hazard when driving in wet or snowy conditions.
Is car suspension expensive to fix?
The price of the repairs will depend on the amount of damage to your suspension and which parts need to be replaced. At TAMMS Repair Centres, one of our experts will examine your vehicle and provide you with a pricing estimate before we start working on your car.
