Some people with knowledge of auto repair may be able to help you fix your car’s suspension, but it will depend on the level of expertise. The average person should not try to fix this issue themselves because it is too complicated, and several safety hazards are involved.
Your car’s suspension affects its ride height and handling because it keeps the tires in contact with the ground. This ensures that they can take in enough road feedback, so your vehicle handles smoothly. There are several causes for car suspension issues, from rusty frames and worn springs to improper alignment and out-of-spec shocks or struts. The following steps will help you troubleshoot a problem with your car’s suspension.
Step 1 – Inspect the Car’s Suspension
Inspect your car’s suspension for any damage or broken components. Look for:
This step involves physically inspecting the car and notifying the driver of any problems you find. It should be done by a certified mechanic if possible because they will know what to look for and can spot issues that are not readily obvious to the untrained eye. The inspection also helps to reveal if you have a bigger problem on your hands, such as worn ball joints or faulty steering components, which may need to be addressed by a professional mechanic before proceeding with the rest of your repair.
Step 2 – Drive in Neutral
Using the four-way or six-way manual transmission, press the clutch pedal to disengage the clutch. This lets you move freely and shifts your car back into neutral to prevent it from turning. It also helps you fine-tune the suspension by taking weight off one corner of the car and putting it on another. The car will now feel more responsive to your driving because you minimize friction while shifting between turns.
Step 3 – Remove a Wheel and Turn Over Car Slowly
Remove one wheel by raising it, so it is free to roll no matter which way it sits about the rest of the car. This should be done in an enclosed area with no direct sunlight to avoid burning the tires or being burned by your car. Also be sure to check the coil overs with the team at fulcrum suspension.
Move the car at a pace you can maintain for a few minutes (about 30 seconds or so) and catch up to it when it slows enough to stop moving. This step aims to simulate the effect of your car straining against its weight and resisting changes in direction, which will help you diagnose any issues with your suspension.
Step 4 – Inspect the Steering Wheel
Remove the steering wheel from your car and place it on a sturdy surface so that it does not roll away as you complete each step of your repair process. This is an excellent time to inspect the steering wheel for wear and tear, loose or bent parts, or any other damage that could have caused your car’s suspension to fail.
Step 5 – Inspect Struts
Each strut is made up of several components made from rubber or plastic. These comprise the inner and outer tube, spring, and damper. It also has a lower control arm that helps support the suspension components. The lower control arm acts like a hinge on your car; it slides over an eye-bolt in the frame to provide the necessary clearance for your tires to sit on. Inspecting this part is easy enough because you can do it right under your car during these steps.
It may be necessary to replace a strut after a long period of heavy use if it is worn. To do so, remove the shock absorber assembly by unscrewing the bolts that hold it, disassembling it, and replacing the worn parts with new ones. A replacement needs to be stronger than what came with your car because it will be used in a much more stressful situation (such as during hard braking).
Step 6 – Inspect Springs & Shock Absorbers
Stretches in springs are caused by excess load and can lead to unwanted movements in the suspension. Springs are made of metal coils that help lift your car off its wheels when accelerating.
