For car lovers who consider suspension as one of the most important components of a car, it would be very useful to know how to carry out a basic check-up of the suspension system. Suspension system is a critical part of your car as it affects the way a car handles, its comfort, and most importantly, its safety. In this guide, we will take a look at how to conduct a home suspension check and how to identify potential problems that require repair work at an early stage. For those living in Abu Dhabi, the following basic techniques will assist you keep updated with your car suspension status. Of course, while DIY check-up can be helpful, if you identify a serious problem, it is better to take your car to an experienced auto garage who are experts in car suspension repair in Abu Dhabi like Magic Touch Auto Garage.
The Basics Of your Car’s Suspension System
Before you conduct a do-it-yourself checkup, it is important to have some background information about the car’s suspension. Springs, shock absorbers, struts, control arms, and bushings are some of the main parts of the suspension system that helps the vehicle to be stable, absorb road shocks, and ensure a comfortable ride. Springs support the weight of the car and also reduce any vibrations resulting from an irregular surface. Together, they control the distribution of weight during acceleration, braking, and cornering.
Over a period of time, these parts can wear and tear, especially if you regularly drive on rough roads or if your vehicle has high mileage. This will result in poor handing, longer stopping distance, uneven tyre wear as well as uncomfortable ride. Identifying early signs of wear of suspensions parts can enable you avoid costly suspension repairs in future.
Step 1: Check the Tires for Uneven Wear
A simple yet revealing step to verify suspension is to check your tires for wear. If tires are worn unevenly, this means that suspension issues, such as misalignment or worn-out shocks. To do this, locate an open space and park your car on a flat surface to ensure each car tire is a few inches off the ground. Compare the tread pattern on each tire. If you notice excessive wear on the inner or outer edges or cupping on the surface, it may mean your suspension is not evenly distributing weight across the tires. This can be attributed by worn out shock absorbers, springs or even improper alignment, all of which may need further check or professional car suspension repair services in Abu Dhabi.
Step 2: Test the Bounce of Your Vehicle
The ‘bounce test’ is an easy test that can tell you about the condition of your shocks or struts. With the car parked, and the engine switched off, press down on a corner of the car and release it. The car should bounce up for once and then come to a settle state. If it bounces more than once, the shocks or struts are worn out and would require replacement. It is recommended to repeat such a test on all four corners of the car to ensure consistency. The key role played by shocks and struts help your car maintain stability and keep it on the same level, so any sign of major bouncing could mean it’s time for a suspension fix.
Step 3: Examine the suspension components visually
After performing the bounce test, it is time you inspect your suspension parts. Use a flashlight when inspecting the springs, shock absorbers and struts. Rust, cracks, or leakage especially on the area with shock absorbers are good indicators that the parts must be replaced soon. Also, look out for any damaged or sagging springs which may led to variation in heights that leads to uneven weight distribution. Although minor surface rusting may not be a problem, heavy corrosion or physical damage are good indicators that the part should be changed.
Step 4: Check the control arms and bushings
Control arms and bushings are additional parts of a car suspension system that connects the wheels to the chassis and enable smooth movement and dissipate vibrations. To inspect them, look for any evident worn or cracked rubber bushings as these are actual cushions for the control arms that prevent metal-on-metal contact. Defective or worn-out bushings cause some noises from the vehicle, rough handling, and uneven tire wear. For instance, if you recently hit a pothole or a curb, it would also be wise to see whether the control arms themselves are bent or broken. Bushings can often be replaced by using ordinary tools and suspension repair may not be needed if there is minor damage to the control arms.
Step 5: Make Sure to Check for any unusual sounds during a test drive
When it comes to suspension components, your car’s wheel could make clunking squeaking or rattling sounds if the suspension components are already damaged or worn out when passing through uneven terrains. Take your car for a test drive and look for any strange sound around the wheels and the underneath the car. Squeaking noises usually stem from the bushings that have become thin, whereas clunking means a loose or damaged suspension parts. Any noise, whether abnormal or new, is a clear indication that your suspension system is not working and can affect your handling and safety.
Step 6: Check for Proper Alignment
If you find that your car steers towards a particular direction while driving on a straight road, then your car requires an alignment fix mainly due to the suspension. Misalignment can result from worn parts or a shock impact with a pothole or a curb. That being said, driving with poor alignment can result in poor tire wear and handling of a car. Minor imbalances can be often fine-tuned with the help of tire pressure but significant misalignments require help from professional experts and equipment. In such circumstances, it is best to bring your car to a qualified auto garage located in Abu Dhabi like Magic Touch who can perform the right alignment needed to fix such a situation and restore smooth handling and prevent further tire wear.
Step 7: Assess the Height of Your Vehicle
Another quick check is to measure the vehicle from top to bottom on both sides. Park your car on a flat surface and measure the distance from the wheel well to the ground on all four sides. If one is higher, or lower than the others, it could suggest that the suspension springs have lost their ideal height and are worn out. Uneven ride heights can affect your car balance and handling especially during a corner and is a clear sign that your springs have worn out.
Step 8: Looks for leaks in the power steering and hydraulic system
Some suspension systems use power steering or hydraulics, which use fluids to support the car suspension. In these systems, leaks can also affect the functionality of the suspension and hampers the steering or handling of the vehicle. Always check underneath your car for signs of oil leak, and if you do find a leakage then, it is wise to address it promptly. Hydraulic or steering fluid leaks can impact the suspension and requires professional attention to seal and replacement.
Step 9: Assess Your Car’s Handling and Stability
Lastly, check how your car handles while driving. If your car sinks when you apply brakes or feel excessive body roll when turning, it is likely your suspension is problematic. Loose or worn suspension parts can cause excessive body movement that leads to unstable or unbalanced feeling while driving. Regular assessing can help you spot any issues with the car’s suspension early and avoid any straining of your automobile’s suspension system and damaging parts of the vehicle.
Why choose us?
Magic Touch Auto Garage is one of the leading service providers for car suspension repair in Abu Dhabi. We have skilled technicians and advanced tools to identify and fix suspension problems to keep your car ride comfortable and stable. We provide comprehensive services include car suspension and steering service such as routine maintenance and extensive repairs. Our commitment to quality and customer satisfaction makes us the reliable choice for anyone who are looking for car suspension repair in Abu Dhabi.
Conclusion
Getting a regular suspension checkup can make a visible difference in your vehicle’s performance and longevity. Use this guide to detect early signs of potential wear and treat any minor problems early to prevent expensive repairs. A healthy suspension helps one ride in comfort, enhance the handling of the car, and distribute the tires uniformly. But if your DIY checkup reveals serious problems, it is wise to go to a professional auto garage in Abu Dhabi. Magic Touch Auto Garage provides suspension repair services to ensure that your car is in proper working condition and can handle diverse driving conditions of Abu Dhabi. Call us now +971 52 793 7314 and email us at magictouchautogarage@gmail.com to book a consultation today…!!!!
