The suspension is likely a part of your car you do not think about very much. It is not a car part, such as the brakes or engine, that gets a lot of attention. However, the car’s suspension is integral to the overall well-being of your vehicle. Without the suspension, your car will not run.
The rest of this article will explain everything you need to know about your car’s suspension. With this information, you will better spot suspension problems and understand when you need to contact a professional mechanic, such as Ethan’s Honest Automotive.
Let’s get started with our discussion of vehicle suspensions!
Before getting into more detail, you need to understand exactly what a car’s suspension is and what it does.
The suspension is an entire system in your car. It is comprised of the following elements.
The suspension system does much work as the car moves down a road. It keeps the tires in contact with the road surface. It absorbs bumps and reduces bouncing in your car. And it allows you to turn the car.
Clearly, the suspension system is an extremely crucial vehicle component. It is responsible for your overall comfort as your drive your car. However, it also contributes to the car’s safety and stabilization.
All of the components must work together intricately. Therefore, if one part has a problem, it can throw the whole system out of whack. Then, as discussed below, you will need suspension services from a qualified mechanic.
Now that you know more about the basic functions of the car’s suspension, we will discuss the different types of suspension systems.
Suspensions have been a part of car design from the beginnings of motorized vehicles in the 19th century. Yet, many of the oldest suspensions are no longer in use. Instead, there are a large number of modern suspension types. In fact, there are too many types of suspensions to name here.
Yet, to fully understand a car’s suspension, you do not need to memorize all possible permutations of suspension parts. You just need to know the most common categories, which we list below.
Often, full-sized trucks will have solid rear axles and independent front suspensions. Modern cars have some flavor of independent suspensions on the front and rear.
Because the suspension has so many important jobs, it is easy to tell when it has a problem. You just need to know what signs to look for.
The following signs indicate that it is time for a mechanic to look at your suspension.
As you learned above, there are a lot of components to the suspension system. If any of these has an issue, it could negatively affect the suspension’s ability to function well. Don’t worry, though. While a failure could occur with any part of the suspension, certain failure points are most common.
Keep an eye on the following suspension components, as they are the most likely to fail.
In addition to the issues listed above, the accumulation of rust is another big problem with many suspension systems. Most of the suspension is located underneath the car. When you drive in wet conditions, especially on salted roads during the winter, the parts that get wet could become rusty. Anything under the vehicle will be more exposed to the weather and, therefore, more likely to rust.
You do not want rust on your car, as it can weaken the metal and eat away at all of your suspension components. Talk to your mechanic if you notice rust on your suspension or anywhere else on your vehicle.
If you notice any of the signs in the previous section, it is time to contact a professional mechanic. They can help diagnose and fix the problem.
However, if your suspension works well, you will still need a mechanic to perform scheduled maintenance. Following a maintenance schedule will ensure that suspension remains running well and that small problems are caught before they spiral out of control.
Your owner’s manual will indicate the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule for your suspension components. Those recommendations will most likely be similar to the following schedule.
Ethan’s Honest Automotive is your source for excellent suspension services in the Cache Valley and Southeastern Idaho. We are renowned for our high-quality cars of both foreign and domestic vehicles. Our mechanics can work on anything. So, no matter your car, we can help you keep its suspension in perfect condition.
Contact Ethan’s Honest Automotive today to book your next suspension service or any other type of vehicle maintenance!