All About Suspension
Largely hidden but still vital, the suspension system of a car helps provide a smooth ride over the road’s inevitably uneven surfaces. If you’ve ever been in a car with bad suspension, you’ll know how important that protection is - especially whilst navigating UK potholes and speed bumps!
What is car suspension, and why is it important?
Made up of several conjoined components, the suspension system not only helps reduce jolting on your journey, but also protects other parts of your car too. This includes preventing uneven wear on your tyres, misaligned wheels, brake wear, and damage to the general underside of your vehicle. By absorbing the shock from the road, the suspension plays a huge role in the health of your vehicle.
What are the main suspension parts?
It’s not just one or two parts - the whole suspension system is connected, and works together to provide that all-important protection over bumps and irregularities in the road. These are some of the main parts of car suspension systems…
Springs
Between the wheels and the frame, the springs do the work, moving the car body up and down over bumps. Most cars have coil springs, which are torsion bars around the axle, but some older, bigger vehicles have leaf springs.
Shock absorbers
They do what they say on the tin! Shock absorbers absorb the energy produced by the springs, essentially dampening it, and therefore keeping your tyres in contact with the road surface.
Anti-roll bars
This bit is all about stability. Anti-roll bars span the axle and transfer movement between the wheels when one comes across anything uneven. If there’s a problem with the anti-roll bars, it can seriously affect the car’s handling.
Tyres
These four corners do so much, don’t they? As the part of the car that’s in contact with the road, tyres and the pressure within them affects the suspension - overfilled with air and the ride will be harsh, but not enough air will prevent the suspension from working properly too.
How do I know if something’s wrong with my suspension?
Indications of faulty suspension include:
- An uncomfortable ride - you feel bumps in the road more than usual
- Uneven tyre wear
- Poor steering response
- One side of your vehicle is lower than the other
- A knocking noise
Suspect your suspension needs attention?
If your suspension is damaged, it’s a safety and comfort concern - and it could even see your car fail its MOT! Get your vehicle booked in at a repair centre to ensure it receives a thorough inspection and gets fixed ASAP.