What do car suspensions do?
The suspension system in your car is essential for a number of reasons. It is responsible for absorbing impact, optimising comfort, steering responsiveness, and enhances safety. Without the suspension system, your car would feel very different to drive and would not be practical. With all of this being said it comes as a shock that so many drivers are not aware of what the suspension does, as well as, the various components that make up the suspension system. In this article, we are going to give you an overview of what the suspension does, why it is so important, and run down all the vital components of the suspension system.
Components of the suspension system
There are a number of different parts of the suspension system working in tandem.
Springs
The springs are an essential part of the suspension as they soften and absorb impact. This could come in the form of a large bump in the road. When your car hits this bump the spring retracts and expands, absorbing the blow.
Shock absorbers
Shock absorbers are responsible for controlling the springs once they have been engaged. Once you hit a bump and the spring absorbs the impact by expanding and retracting, this would cause the car to excessively bounce without the shock absorbers. The shock absorbers keep this bouncing to a minimum without affecting the performance of the springs.
Linkages
Linkages consist of little rods and connecting pieces that are responsible for linking the suspension together. The primary responsibility of the linkages is to keep the wheels in the correct position relative to the car.
Bearings, joints, and bushings
Bearings, joints, and bushings are all small components that are attached to the various linkages throughout the suspension system. The purpose of these components is to allow the linkages to be flexible and allow movement. This is important because if the linkages were too rigid, they could snap under pressure.
Signs that there is a problem with your suspension
With the suspension being such an important asset to your car for performance, comfort, and safety, it is important that you know when to spot a problem with your suspension. There are some tell-tale signs that there may be a problem –
- Vehicle dips at the front when you brake
- Vehicle pulling to either the left or the right
- Vehicle feels like its drifting when cornering
- Continuous bouncing after hitting a bump in the road
- Vehicle feels uncomfortable when driving
All of these are signs of a problematic suspension, amongst many other potential problems. If you do notice any of these problems, it is essential that you get your vehicle checked by a professional to ensure the safety of yourself and other drivers. National has over 250 nationwide garages with trained professionals that can diagnose and fix any suspension problems. We also offer servicing to our customers to ensure that there are no other potential problems with your vehicle and it is operating to its full capabilities.
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