We all love the feel of a vehicle that is performing well; you put your foot on the accelerator, and the whole car responds beautifully.

Even more important than the power provided, is the cars ability to handle correctly at all speeds.

• Will it corner correctly?
• Will the driving experience be smooth?
• Even more important, will it stop correctly?

The vehicle's suspension system plays a crucial role in safe motoring.

A sound suspension system ensures the tyres are making correct contact with the road surface, Steering stability and positive handling at all speeds, and Comfort to the passengers because the complete body engine and drivetrain are supported correctly (absorbing road bumps and shocks)

The suspension system has to withstand all the stress placed on a vehicle in its daily operation and provide safety for all of  the passengers.

 So, what makes up the suspension system of your car?

The tyres, the air pressure in the tyres, Springs, Shock absorbers, Struts, Arms, Bars, Linkages, Bushes and Joints.

The suspension system connects the car body to the road.

A well-maintained suspension system is designed to provide a smooth ride and ensure you and your passengers are comfortable and safe.

Tyres and tyre Pressure 

Tyres and tyre pressure play an essential role in the suspension system; your tyres are the only part of the car that makes contact with the road surface.

They have to propel the vehicle forward, steer it in your chosen direction, smooth out the ride, and be able to stop the car on demand.

This is only possible with tyres in good condition and adjusted to the correct tyre pressure.

Shock absorbers

The primary role of the shock absorbers is to control the movement of the suspension components and springs, ensuring the tyres maintain contact with the road surface.

Struts

Many different types of suspension systems have been designed over the years, and manufacturers utilise various systems in their vehicle designs.

A typical system used is called a strut system, an easy way to picture a strut system is its shock absorber sits in the centre of a coil spring located on the strut assembly, this assembly has the wheels and tyres attached to it.

A good strut assembly is an integral part that affects the ride comfort and handling, vehicle control, braking, steering, wheel alignment, and wear on other suspension components and the tyres.

What do you need to know about your suspension system?

I have only listed some of the main components above, and there are many other parts, including computer sensors, linkages, rods and bushes, that play an essential role in your vehicle's suspension system. Every time the car moves, all of these components provide Comfort, stability and safety for the driver and their passengers.

Suspension components, by nature, gradually wear out over time, so often, an issue is not felt by the vehicle's driver until a component has had a significant failure; this is not what you want when you have to suddenly steer around an object or brake to avoid a collision.

This is why we inspect these critical components every time your vehicle is serviced and report any issues found to you.

Once the faulty component is replaced, drivers often report a much noticeable difference in the handling and ride of the vehicle.

If you are experiencing squeaks when going over bumps or dips, unusual clunking or rattling noises while driving on uneven roads or over potholes, steering issues, bottoming out, excessive bouncing when going over bumps, leaking shocks or struts, or the handling of your vehicle just does not feel right, you should have your vehicle inspected at one of our service centres right away.