Most of us know that vehicle suspension allows a car to run smoothly – and probably saves a few broken tailbones a year!
But that’s where many drivers’ suspension knowledge ends.
This article breaks down the three main purposes of suspension and investigates the smallest part of your suspension system…
The suspense is killing us!
What does suspension do?
Vehicle suspension serves three main functions:
1) Stabilises the handling and steering.
The suspension keeps the weight of your car centred. As a result, it prevents your car from overturning when you go around a corner.
2)Keeps your tyres in contact with the road.
The more contact and friction between the road and your tyres, the better. It allows you to accelerate, handle and brake more efficiently. By keeping the distribution of weight even across your car, the suspension maximises the amount of contact your car has with the bitumen.
3) Ensures the comfort of passengers.
The suspension absorbs the impact caused by bumps in the road and disperses any jolts to minimise the discomfort for passengers. The suspension also isolates the passenger cabin itself, allowing you to experience the smoothest ride possible.
How does suspension affect the performance of my car?
We now know that suspension manages the comfort level and handling of your car. This means that suspension can be designed according to the purpose of a given vehicle.
Cars designed for performance and speed are built with a focus on steering and handling. They can negotiate corners more effectively, but will provide a bumpier ride for passengers. By comparison, a vehicle built primarily for comfort will have a suspension designed to absorb as many jolts as possible. However, it will also be more likely to overturn when taking corners at high speeds.
What parts make up my suspension?
Your suspension system is comprised of many parts: springs, shocks and struts, control arms to name a few.
One small but significant feature of your suspension that performs a big function are the bushes.
What are bushes?
No, these aren’t small green patches of foliage in your car’s engine.
Bushes are hinges within the suspension that give your car the ability to move vertically without compromising the wheel alignment.
What are bushes made from?
Bushes are made of an extremely hard type of rubber that allows them to absorb as much energy as possible while effectively maintaining the integrity of the suspension system.
Their rubber makeup mean that bushes will inevitably be affected by wear and tear. Perished bushes allow dangerous movement in the suspension which can cause big problems for your car if left unchecked. Luckily, there are a few warning signs to look out for.
How do I know if the bushes are worn?
The most common warning sign that the bushes are reaching the end of their life is a loss of control or feeling in the front end of your car, with an associated anomaly in the steering wheel itself.
You may also notice your tyres wearing more rapidly, since the compromise in suspension leads to less contact with the bitumen and decreased handling performance.
Some cars can further be affected by a thumping noise which occurs when the bushes fail to adequately preserve the suspension.
Are bushes difficult to replace?
While some suspension issues are big and scary, worn bushes isn’t one of them.
In fact, bushes are a fairly inexpensive and easy part for a qualified mechanic to change. Prices and durability vary according to the quality of bushes you have fitted in your car.
