If you own a vehicle you own a suspension system, whether you understand it or not. A suspension system keeps your car, truck, van or SUV from sustaining damage from the bumps, hills and potholes on the road by taking and absorbing these shocks so that the frame of the vehicle doesn’t have to. In this way your vehicle will last longer because your suspension system takes the punishment so that your chassis stays protected.
Here are three things you need to know about your suspension system:
#1: Even the Best Suspension Eventually Wears Out
Even coil and leaf springs made out of the best materials will eventually wear down. Over time the steel of these units will stretch and compress to the point that they deform slightly and the spring no longer provides the maximum protection that it once did. To check for sagging springs you can easily crouch behind and in front of your vehicle as it sits on a flat surface and see if one side or the other sits lower. This could mean that your springs have worn and need to be repaired for better protection.
#2: Proper Suspension Helps Your Tires Stay on the Road
One of the jobs of your suspension system is to help your tires maintain maximum friction with the road for better handling and steering stability. Because the tires are suspended under the vehicle by the suspension system they are allowed to move with the road rather than bouncing off of it with the vehicle. In this way you are kept safe, but this can be a risk if your suspension system is not up to par.
#3: The Wrong Suspension System can Cause Damage
Because your suspension system is holding your vehicle above your tires and axles so that you have a smooth ride it is important that the springs are not over loaded. Excess load may not be evident when driving on a smooth road, but at the slightest bump the vehicle can crash down and bottom out, causing damage to the vehicle structure as well as the overloaded suspension system. This is why it is important to think about the need to improve your suspension when you are altering your vehicle such as adding a heavy trailer behind the vehicle or a snow plow to the front.
Post time: Dec-19-2023
