Without your vehicle's suspension system, your rides would be pretty bumpy, to say the least. Various factors affect how smooth your car drives, such as wheel alignment, tire tread, pressure, wheel bearing, and axles. However, the suspension system is the most influential.
There are three main parts you need to know when reviewing your car's suspension system.
- Springs - Most cars nowadays use coil springs, while older cars use leaf springs. Your springs are intended to absorb the intensity of bumps on the road and maintain the vehicle's height to balance against rocky roads.
- Shocks - Shock absorbers are solely put in place to control the impact and rebound movement of a vehicle's springs and suspension.
- Struts - Struts have a similar function as shocks. Unlike shocks, struts are an integral part of the suspension's structure. They also support the weight of the vehicle.
Like other portions of your car, all of these parts mentioned above can wear out over time. It benefits from knowing the warning signs of bad shocks and struts to make the process easier. These are the typical symptoms of suspension problems:
- Bumpy Ride
- Car Pulls Left or Right
- Uneven Tire Treads
- Front End of Your Vehicle Dips During Stops
- Liquid on Shocks or Struts
If you are still unsure whether you have a suspension problem on your hands, you can opt to do the Bounce Test. Your car will need to be parked on a flat surface to start the test. You will then need to push down the front end of your car with your body weight and bounce on it several times. If your vehicle continues to spring after you lift your force off the vehicle, then it's a sign that your suspension system is becoming ineffective.
For all your automotive repair needs, including shocks and struts, please do not hesitate to bring your vehicle to Westside Car Care. Give us a call at (509) 955-2133 to make an appointment.