Your car’s suspension system might be something that’s overlooked compared to other parts of your car, but it plays a crucial role in determining how safe, smooth, and comfortable your drive is. Whether you’re tackling bumpy roads, navigating tight city corners, or just cruising along the highway, your car suspension works constantly to keep your tyres planted safely on the road and your ride stable.
In this article, we’ll explain what car suspension is, how it works, why it’s important, and when it’s time to get it checked or repaired. If you’re noticing changes in the way your car drives, this could be the guide you need.
What Is Car Suspension?
Car suspension refers to the systems of springs, shock absorbers, struts, and other components that connect your vehicle’s body to its wheels. Its main job is to absorb the impact from bumps, potholes, and uneven road surfaces, so that your car remains balanced and your ride stays comfortable.
It also keeps your tyres in consistent contact with the road, which is critical for braking, steering, and traction.
The core components of a car suspension system include:
- Coil springs: These absorb energy from road bumps and keep the car level.
- Shock absorbers: These control how quickly the springs bounce back after a bump, preventing excessive movement.
- Struts: A combination of a shock absorber and a structural component in one unit, commonly used in modern suspension setups.
- Control arms and bushings: These parts help maintain wheel alignment and absorb vibration between the wheels and chassis.
In short, your suspension system is the reason you don’t feel every bump on the road and why your tyres grip the surface properly when you turn, brake, or accelerate.
How Does Car Suspension Work?
The suspension system acts as a buffer between your car’s frame and the road. When you drive over a bump, the energy from that impact is transferred into the springs. The shock absorbers then control how fast the spring compresses and rebounds, ensuring that the car doesn’t bounce excessively or feel unstable.
Here’s a closer look at some of the technical angles involved:
Wheel Camber
Camber refers to the tilt of your wheels when viewed from the front of the car, affecting how your tyres contact the road.
Toe Angle
Toe angle is about how your wheels point inward or outward when viewed from above. These determine your steering stability and tyre life.
Caster Angle
Caster angle is the angle of the steering axis (the line through the centre of your front wheels) when viewed from the side. A caster angle keeps your steering stable and ensures the steering wheel returns smoothly to the centre after a turn.
While the wheel camber, toe, and caster angles are all part of the suspension setup, these specific angles are more accurately related to wheel alignment, which is the process of adjusting these angles to improve the steering stability and performance.
If you’re interested in learning more about these alignment angles and how they affect your car’s performance, check out our in-depth guide here.
Why Car Suspensions Are Crucial For Your Car
The suspension system doesn’t just improve comfort, but it’s also a key component that affects your car’s safety.
Here are some benefits that well-adjusted car suspensions offer:
- Improved handling and control: A healthy suspension system keeps your tyres in constant contact with the road, improving steering and braking response.
- Tyre protection: Proper alignment and dampening reduce uneven tyre wear, helping your tyres last longer.
- Passenger comfort: Without suspension, every bump would be felt noticeably inside the cabin.
- Vehicle longevity: A well-maintained suspension system helps prevent damage to other vehicle components by absorbing road impact.
Whether you’re carrying passengers, towing a trailer or heading off on a road trip, suspension matters for every drive.
Warning Signs That Indicate Your Suspensions Need Servicing
If you’re not sure whether your suspension is doing its job properly, here are some common signs to determine if it’s time to have it inspected:
- Clunking or knocking sounds when driving over bumps
- Uneven or rapid tyre wear, especially on one side
- Car pulling to one side when driving straight
- Nose-diving when braking or swaying when turning
- Rough or bouncy rides, even on relatively smooth roads
These issues may indicate worn or damaged shock absorbers, coil springs, or bushings, all of which should be checked by a professional technician.
How Often Should You Service Your Car’s Suspensions?
Unlike oil changes, there isn’t a set timeframe for suspension servicing, but as a general rule, it’s worth checking your suspension every 40,000 to 50,000 kilometres, or sooner if you start to notice any indicators as mentioned before.
You should also have it inspected if:
- You’ve hit a pothole, curb, or speed bump at high speeds
- You’ve been off-roading or driving on rough terrain
- Your car feels different after long trips or heavy loads
What Is Included In Suspension & Shock Absorbers Service?
At Ultra Tune, a car suspension and shock absorber service includes a thorough inspection that looks at how well the system functions and determines whether any parts are worn, leaking, or damaged.
A typical suspension service includes:
- Checking shock absorbers and struts for leaks or wear
- Inspecting springs, bushings, and control arms
- Assessing wheel alignment and tyre wear
- Road testing for ride quality and handling
- Recommending suspension repair or part replacement where needed
Book Your Next Suspension Check With Ultra Tune
If your car ride feels rougher than usual or your steering isn’t as sharp as it should be, it might be time for a suspension inspection.
At Ultra Tune, we offer professional suspension and shock absorber repair and servicing at convenient locations around Australia. Our trained technicians will assess your suspension system, provide clear advice, and get your car back to its best.
Book your suspension service or locate your nearest local Ultra Tune centre today.
