Make sure your car suspension is sorted so your car has all the bounce it needs to get you from A to B, safely
Potholes: can’t live with them and… actually, we just can’t live with them.
South Africa is notorious for its pothole-riddled roads, and they haven’t been easy on the country’s wallet. In fact, between 2022/23 and 2024/25, SANRAL paid 116 claimants R15,710,638.04 for pothole damage on the country’s national roads.
Now, we can’t sit at home and wait around for the government to fix this issue. So, what can we do? Well, apart from avoiding them and keeping sharp on the road, you can make sure that your car suspension is intact.
Whilst car suspension is there to protect you from jolts and jitters on the road, it can only do its job for so long until wear and tear become an issue.
Why is car suspension so important?
Here’s a quick rundown of what car suspension is and why it’s so important for the longevity of your vehicle. You have a suspension system in the back and front of your car, and they look a little different from one another.
Your car suspension is not a singular part. Rather, it is a system that combines your wheels, the air in your tires, linkages and shock absorbers to help your vehicle move smoothly over bumps. It also assists your tires with staying in contact with the road (important).
Good suspension protects your vehicle and everything inside it like luggage and delicate objects.
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4 Signs there may be something wrong with the suspension in your vehicle
Now, we’re presuming you aren’t a mechanic (and if you are, we’d be a bit worried that you’re getting your information from an online blog). Bearing this in mind, remember that if you’re in doubt, it’s always best to seek professional assistance. These signs are here to help guide you and educate you to keep an eye and ear out for what’s going on in your vehicle.
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Steering becomes difficult
When your shock absorbers are out of whack, the rest of your car will follow.
If your car suspension needs to be oiled or certain parts need to be replaced, you may notice that it’s difficult to steer your car. This will probably occur even when you’re driving at slow speeds.
Not only is steering one of the fundamental functions of a vehicle, but it’s also there to keep you safe. If you can’t trust that you can steer in any given direction, you need to take your car to get checked out.
Also, check this out: 5 Signs of Pothole Wheel Damage On Your Vehicle: Riding the Rocky Roads
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One side of your car is lower than the other
Like we mentioned earlier, you have suspension at the back and the front of your car. Each side will have two suspension systems, one for each tyre. So, four in total.
If your car is lagging to one side, this could be an indication that one of your springs has worn out. This means your suspension is completely worn out. It can’t support the weight of your car. You cannot drive your car like this and you need to get your suspension replaced or repaired immediately.
Learn more: How often should you get your car serviced?
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A screeching noise when you drive over bumps
Do you know when your car makes a noise that just sounds expensive? That’s the noise you’re looking out for here. Trust us, it’s a hard one to miss.
If you’re hearing a screeching sound when you go over speed humps or bumps, this is a signal your car suspension is wearing down. The source of the problem is most likely your shock absorbers, and it will only become worse with every bump you drive over.
Read this next: 6 Signs That You May Have Car Transmission Problems
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Having a bumpy ride
Remember when the princess could feel the pea under one hundred mattresses? This is what your drive will feel like if your car suspension is faulty. You will feel every bump and crevice on the road as if they were massive. This is most likely an issue with the piston-cylinder assembly, but your mechanic will need to take a look and confirm.
When you’re driving, you want it to be smooooth sailing, right? Well, a busted car suspension system is going to give you the exact opposite. Be safe on the roads!
Yours in uncomplicated car insurance,
Oneplan
