The Function of Suspension: A Brief History & Why Suspension Repair is Important
When your car is in dire need of suspension repair, you’ll likely suspect it. There are a few telltale signs that indicate your car’s suspension system needs some attention. It’s important to keep an eye out for these signs so that you avoid making it worse or having damage to your car or become a safety hazard. Sergio Lewis Body Shop can help get your car’s suspension system back in order. A bad suspension might veer you off the highway, make your car difficult to control and make it exceedingly difficult to steer and drive properly.
Though a road might appear smooth to the naked eye, upon a closer look one will observe that any road has bumps, uneven parts, and as more and more people drive on it, waves and cracks begin to happen. Without a suspension system, the roads can cause major problems as the vehicle begins to speed up. Not only will the car lose control, but steering will be difficult and you’ll have a jolting ride.
Early Engineering
Early car makers understood the problem of riding ease and worked for years testing and experimenting with springs, making them short, long, of various sizes and materials. One significant improvement was when the springs were placed parallel to the car frame. Later, engineers experimented with weight distribution and finding the right balance between the front and rear suspension.
If you’ve ever looked at traditional horse carriages, you might notice that they too had suspension systems (usually spring leaf) and served as the preliminary prototypes for the automobile systems that were to come later. The motor car suspensions, of course, were more complex as there was the need to balance weight and protect the engine.
In 1901 C.L. Horock designs the telescope shock absorber with a piston and cylinder inside a metal sleeve. The same principle of shock absorbers are still used today; they work to release hydraulic fluid which slows down the spring and suspension system. This helps reduce bounce or roll or sway. In 1931 Mercedes-Benz introduces the independent front suspension system. This reduces the transfer of road shock by suspending the front wheels and it gives cars better handling and a smoother ride.
While the shock absorbers are pretty durable, other parts of the system are likely to need replacement or suspension repair. You’ll likely need to change the springs, ball joints, struts, sway bars, tie rod ends, control arms and bushings. These parts take quite a beating every day from being on the road and interacting with potholes, speed bumps, rough highways, and more. They are constantly working together to create more friction between your car and the road. As these components begin to suffer damage, your vehicle becomes harder to drive.
Stay in Control With Sergio Lewis Suspension Repair
Driving a car without a proper suspension system means experiencing a wild and highly dangerous ride. Eventually, these problems can augment and make it hard to control your vehicle. Sergio Lewis Body Shop guarantees your suspension repair will provide you a smooth ride.
