Driving A Car With A Bad Suspension Is Not Just A Matter Of Comfort, It Is A Safety Issue.
August 28, 2019
Driving a car with a bad suspension is not just a matter of
comfort, it is a safety issue. If your suspension is worn or damaged, it can be
more difficult to control your vehicle, putting you and other drivers at risk.
Suspension systems are nearly as varied as the vehicles they
support, but there are some common issues you can look for or check to see if
your suspension needs work, and how quickly you get it into the shop.
·
Rough ride. One of the first signs that
your suspension is bad is feeling every bump in the road. Also, if your vehicle
continues to bounce after hitting a large bump, driving over a speed bump
·
Driftin’ away. Another early sign you may
have a bad suspension is whether your car drives in a straight line or if it
pulls to one side or the other. If it drifts, it could be a sign that you need
suspension work.
·
Tread wrongly. If your tires are wearing
unevenly, chances are something is wrong. Look for signs that the tire is not
hitting the pavement consistently, such as stripped-down sides or weird tread
patterns. In severe cases, uneven wear will cause a regular, frequent ‘thump’
sound as you’re driving down the road.
·
Dipping. The front of all cars will dip
slightly when you apply the brakes, depending on how much pressure you apply.
Police traffic investigators can even determine how fast drivers were moving by
measuring the dents in roadways caused by sudden, drastic deceleration. If your
vehicle is lurching forward and downward with regular pressure, however, it’s a
sign that you have a bad suspension and should get it fixed right away. It can
cause long-term damage to the frame of your vehicle and it’s a safety issue,
too—a bad suspension can increase your stopping time and distance by as much as
20 percent.
· It
fails the bounce test. You can test your vehicle’s suspension without
getting it up on a jack or even driving it down the road. With it in park,
press down on the front and rear ends (separately, of course) with all your
weight a few times to move it up and down. If the car continues to bounce more
than twice after you stop, your suspension will need some work soon.
· Wheel
noise. Listen for sounds when you’re driving, particularly down bumpy
roads. If you detect rattles or thumps when you drive over bumps, your
suspension may be worn out or damaged. Also, your steering wheel should be firm
in your hands. While at rest, turn your
steering wheel all the way to the right and left. If you hear any clank, strain
or thump, you may need to replace parts of your front suspension.
If your vehicle is showing any of these signs, no matter how
minor, don’t ignore them. Driving with a bad suspension can further damage your
vehicle and put you and other drivers at risk.
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