While your car owner's manual may recommend you have your suspension checked after a set number of miles, if you drive under certain conditions, you'll need to have it checked sooner. Your car's suspension consists of shocks and springs that keep your car from jarring and bouncing when you hit a bump in the road. If you haul heavy loads in your car or do a lot of driving over bumpy roads, then your suspension will wear down quicker. Here are some signs you should have your suspension checked and possibly repaired.
You Car Seems To Bounce More Easily
One thing you can do is press down on each corner of your car and try to bounce it on the ground. While your car may have a little bounce to it, it shouldn't be easy to move your car up and down. If you can do that, it could be a sign your springs are wearing out, especially if wasn't as easy to bounce your car before. This test isn't effective on all types of cars, since some are so big and heavy you won't be able to budge them at all.
You may also notice more bouncing in your car when you drive over a bump in the road or over railroad tracks. Your car might have so much bounce that it bottoms out on the road. If you hit a bump hard enough, you may feel your car bounce up and down a couple of times before it comes to a rest. Springs and shocks tend to wear out gradually, so the changes may happen so slowly you get used to your car feeling bouncy. Other times the changes can happen suddenly, like if you have a fluid leak or damage a spring after a hard bump on the road. If it seems like your car bottoms out or bounces more than it should, take it in so a mechanic can take a look at the suspension.
Your Car Handles Differently When You Drive
Suspension problems make it more difficult to drive. In fact, if the damage is bad enough, you car can be so hard to handle that it can cause you to have an accident. That's why you shouldn't put off having suspected problems checked out. One thing you may notice is your car develops more sway when you turn. This is dangerous because if you have to make a sharp turn, your car could sway so much it tips over. Another indication is when the front of your car dives down when you have to hit the brakes hard. In general, your car will have a bumpy ride since the springs and shocks aren't working as well as they should.
Checking your suspension is a fairly quick and easy process. Your mechanic may have a computerized system that measures the amount of bounce in each tire and compares the reading against each tire and against the expected norms. If not, he or she can visually inspect the springs and shocks to look for signs of wear. In fact, it may be a good idea to have your suspension inspected when your mechanic already has your car elevated to change your brake pads or check the oil. Regular inspections can find problems early so you can repair them and reduce your risk of having an accident. Contact a company like Jones Automotive for more information.
Share19 August 2015
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