Some thoughts on Suspension

The term suspension may or may not conjure an array of unsettling assumptions in our modern first world minds. Suspension of what exactly? Of ones previously angelic teenaged child from high school? From a bungee cord from a substantial height? From ones phone and internet services? Sweet mother of Myrtle, anything but that. That escalated quickly, I’ll admit, but rest assured the suspension system of our vehicles is far less melodramatic.

Unless mechanics is your vocation or hobby, not a whole lot of conversation devoted to a car’s susp ension. While it’s operating efficiently from its mysterious location within the abyss of the chassis, we are usually sitting back taking our smooth comfortable ride for granted. If however, and God forbid our morning coffee roadie prefers to obnoxiously decorate the car interior rather than our mouths, or if cranking up the Rap station on your car’s radio and embracing the opportunity to channel your inner gangster isn’t becoming on you (it’s a niche look after all) it could be time to give the suspension some attention.

Let’s take a moment to empathise with our forefathers and the inconveniences of carting delicate grocery items home in their horse and carts. Innocent cartons of eggs and glass bottles of alcohol would’ve fallen victim to the bumpy roads. The invention of motorcars would’ve felt smoother than a Michael Buble Xmas special by comparison, and far more omelettes and nips of whiskey would have arrived home intact to grace the happy tables of the smug car owners.

Fast forward to 2018, where cars are manufactured with a continually refined suspension system, which subtly wins friends and influences people as we bask in the glorious automotive comfortability in which we travel. Well played, suspension, well played, but let’s inform the good people that there’s a whole other side to you that goes unnoticed. Suspension in your car also maximises the friction between the tyres and the road to provide steering stability and good handling. The suspension is made up of a few components. The chassis holds the cab of the car. The springs support the vehicle weight, and together with shock absorbers and struts, absorb and reduce excess energy from road shocks. The anti-sway bar shifts the movement of the wheels to stabilise the car.

I can almost guarantee there’s at least a couple of rambunctious readers with a mischievous smile and gleam in their eyes, just waiting to tell me that they enjoy nothing better than a good, rough ride. You know who you are. While I admire your optimism, wisdom of mechanical experience has taught me that a rough ride will actually lead to premature ageing of your car’s equipment. Pulling to one side, driving unevenly, difficulty steering or imbalances like sitting lower on one side could be a sign that your suspension needs a thorough check up. Without proper attention, uneven tyre wear and brake wear, and may result in your wheels being out of alignment. Who doesn’t want the performance satisfaction of being able to go the distance in pleasurable comfort? If that’s not enough reward, let me reassure that maintaining your vehicles suspension will save you money in both the short and long term. So, if your car’s a rockin’, don’t come a knockin’… after all it’s 2018 and far easier to phone  0400 401 171 or message to have a chat with Townsville Mobile Mechanic regarding all your suspension needs.