Car Suspension Maintenance and Signs of Failure

Keeping cars and other vehicles running safely and efficiently requires some maintenance.

The suspension supports the vehicle from the ground up, and it allows a car to ride smoothly over bumps, over potholes and to turn safely and reliably, whilst maintaining its balance.

Luckily, modern suspensions such as Avo don’t require a large amount of maintenance, however they are built and designed for service and rebuild if required.

It is important to check that the tyres are inflated to the correct PSI or BAR.  Under-inflation can have a negative effect on fuel economy, tyre wear, and balance of the car, making it unsafe to drive.

It can also be a good idea to have all four wheels aligned periodically.  If a car is regularly driven on rough terrain or has hit large potholes or curbs it is best to check the alignment as these types of impact are the most likely cause of damage.

Suspension parts do not wear quickly.  The oil inside the damper keeps everything well lubricated, reducing the rate of wear.  The most important thing is to make sure the piston rod is not exposed and cannot be bent.

There are certain signs to look out for to make sure your suspension is working as it should.  If your car has any of the following symptoms it may be best to remove your dampers and have them serviced or replaced.

Uneven tyre treads

If you notice the tread is wearing unevenly on your tyres, or if you notice bald spots, it often suggests that the suspension is not holding the car evenly, resulting in uneven amounts of pressure on the tyres.

Drifting to one side or pulling during turns

If you feel like the car is drifting to one side or pulling it could be that one or more of the dampers are not working as it should and that the car is now unstable.  If this is the case it is important that you either replace the dampers or get them serviced.

Front end dips when stopping

When the dampers are damaged or worn out, you are likely to feel the vehicle body dipping forward when you apply the brakes firmly. This can have a negative effect on your ability to stop the car quickly in the case of an emergency.

Leaking dampers

If you look directly at the dampers or struts and see that they are oily, there’s a good chance that they are leaking fluid and therefore aren’t working properly. This can be caused by a few things, so it is certainly best to get them checked over.

Poor ride quality

The most common sign of faulty or wearing dampers is when you begin to feel every bump in the road, or when every bump causes the vehicle body to “bounce.” A rough ride is an obvious sign that your suspension system needs some attention.

Avo suspensions systems are designed and manufactured to the highest standard to provide the best performance possible.  They are also designed to be serviceable and rebuildable in the event of damage on a track, rally course or road.