by Kevin Bryant

Created on: August 29, 2007   Last Updated: February 24, 2011

So you think you have a suspension problem. You probably know that the suspension system is the package of pieces that keeps you car from dragging it's good bits along the road making sparks and ugly noises. It is the collection of clever tricks which , when working in tune, can keep the fenders off the tires and the tires in touch with the road.
If you are in your car and notice that one or more of the wheels feels like it has the hick ups each time you hit a pot hole, it is time to have your shock absorbers looked at.

If you are driving around an underground car park and you hear the echo of a grinding or rattle as you hit the bottom of the ramps, it is probably a message from the mounting points or the rubbers in the mounts. The message is "Nothing lasts for ever".

If one of your observant friends points out that the tread area of your tires look a bit like the face of Bruce at the half way point of '4.0'. That can be those pesky shockers yet again. Even though you can do the old push the corner of the car down and count one and a half bounces, a worn shock can allow the wheel to chatter on the road, causing uneven and unsafe wear on the tire.
While the shocks are the most attention grabbing piece of the puzzle, your suspension needs to be well tied together to keep gravity from claiming more victims. Check your wish bone mountings and ball joints for excess free play. Just like the other play, too much of it will bring you undone.
Slack in the suspension components will creep in over time. If you are not alert, it will cost you money in extra tire wear, if you let that go then the longer you leave it the more pieces become involved. There are plenty of little indicators for failing suspension. Pay attention to those shakes and rattles when she rolls, and you should avoid being let down by over stretched suspenders.

Learn more about this author, Kevin Bryant.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.