Your Vehicle’s Suspension After a Collision: Here’s What You Need to Know
You’ve likely seen low-riding cars—Monte Carlos or Buick Regals or Chevy El Caminos— that have that very obvious and rhythmic bounce to them, commanding the attention of pedestrians and fellow drivers. These are flashy hydraulics used for effect and a certain style, but a car’s suspension system is not for style, it is a necessary part of everyday driving. The lowered suspension is just one way to alter the car’s original system. The suspension is essential to protect the vehicle and ensure the safety of passengers and drivers alike.
Shock Absorption
It wasn’t just with modern cars that the need for shock absorption emerged. The concept has been around for a long time. Early chariots of early civilizations were found to have their own version of shock absorption and spring-like technology. In the 17th century, the coil spring was invented and had a massive impact on suspension technologies. Even though the technology has emerged, it would not make its way to mass production and manufacturing until the increased demand of the Industrial Revolution.
The Bottom Line of Suspension
People have always understood that increasing the contact between the tires and road surface will make the ride smoother as well as providing steering ability. This is all with the purpose of generating traction and making the driving of the vehicle easier to operate and manageable, not to mention its role in turning the vehicle and minimizing rollovers.
What is Your Vehicle’s Suspension System?
The suspension system is composed of several components. The system itself serves a dual purpose: safety and smoothness. So it not only contributes to the vehicle’s ability to brake and handle properly but it ensures a smooth ride devoid of bumps and jumps as it drives on different types of surfaces. The components of a suspension system include:
- A system of springs
- Shock absorbers and linkages to the wheels
Shock Damage After a Collision
If you are in some kind of vehicle collision —whether minor or major— it might be difficult to diagnose every problem right away. It is usually the aesthetic damage that makes the strongest impression, but there might be damage under the hood that is a little trickier to diagnose. For example:
- Drivelines
- CV joints
- Axles
- Shock absorber
- The hub
The impact of a collision is liable to shift things around and cause damage to more than just your vehicle’s body. Getting a full-fledged inspection before you get back on the road ensures that you don’t miss damage that was done. Car crashes that involve direct damage to the front wheels, impact to the cowl or unibody, or if your car was pushed off the road, it might be likely that some aspect of your suspension was damaged. Suspensions vary depending on cars —whether they are high-performance, sports vehicles, or SUVs, or more of a comfortable vehicle— so it’s not always cut and dry.
Signs that Your Suspension System Might Be Shot
It doesn’t take a collision or impact to rattle your car’s suspension system. Wear and tear can do just as fine of a job in derailing or provoking suspension damage. If you’re noticing a bumpy drive or you have an older vehicle, it might just be time to switch out some of your car’s suspension components.
If you notice this on your vehicle, it might be time to get the suspension checked:
- Rough ride. Even if you have an older vehicle, it shouldn’t feel like there is an earthquake under you every time you are at a red light. When your shocks or struts are out, you’ll notice that every bump in the road is accentuated and seems overly dramatic.
- Pulling or drifting during turns. If you feel a certain “pull” or “drift” as you are driving straight, it might be a sign of a failing suspension system.
- Treads unevenly. If you notice an uneven tread on your tires, you might be running with an old or failing suspension system.
- Oily shocks. A quick peek under your vehicle can reveal whether your shocks are getting a little slimy. If it looks greasy or oily, there might be a fluid leak somewhere wearing out the shocks.
Suspensions on Lowrider Models
Suspension systems have also been used as a way to add some style and bounce to certain vehicles. Manipulation of the suspension can also be a way to achieve an intentional bounce to the vehicle, which is popular with certain models.
Get the Right Suspension Repair and Inspection at Sergio Lewis
Whether your vehicle was in a recent collision or you’ve just started to notice the road is getting rather bumpy, we can help assess the damage to your suspension system. Suspension plays a major role in safety and driveability.
Ready for a smooth ride? Call Sergio Lewis Body Shop and let us help you solve your suspension issues. Call us today!
