The suspension and steering systems of your car are under constant pressure more than any other parts. The suspension is always at work throughout the car's lifetime, whether you're driving it or not, because it supports the vehicle's weight.
Luckily, the whole system is built to withstand this constant weight and takes longer to give in to wear-and-tear than most other car parts. Still, some suspension and steering components take it harder than the rest and are prone to fail after reaching their threshold.
Car Suspension System Parts that Are Prone to Fail
It will be to your advantage to learn to spot the symptoms of a problematic suspension system. You also need to be familiar with the parts below because they bear the most brunt and are most prone to damage and failure:
#1 Tyres
Yes, the tyres are part of the suspension system. They carry the vehicle's weight, absorb minor shocks, and provide the traction needed to move and turn the car.
Since they’re in direct contact with the ground, they are subject to wear and tear, punctures from sharp objects, and damage of the rims from hard impact. Issues like uneven tyre pressure, uneven tyre wear, and poor alignment cause the car to pull to one side and affect the overall driveability of a vehicle.
For this reason, it is crucial to rotate your tyres after moderate usage to ensure even wear and replace whenever they're worn out. Learn more from our blogs about car tyre maintenance practices.
#2 Springs, shock absorbers, and struts
When you drive over a bump or pothole, the springs absorb the shock that the tyres cannot absorb, while the shock absorbers dampen the motion of the spring from too much bouncing.
The springs lose their tension after prolonged use and break from hard impact. Broken springs result in rough, uncomfortable rides, and driving over potholes or bumps will feel like riding on tyreless rims.
The shock and the struts are filled with thick oil or air, which may leak and cause a system failure. Failure of the shocks and struts results in bumpier rides and over-bouncing, which affects the controllability of the vehicle in rough or uneven roads.
#3 Connecting rods
The suspension system is connected to several solid metal rods that keep the system in place relative to the rest of the vehicle. These connecting rods rarely fail, but in hard impacts such as what happens when you drive off-road or run over an object at high speed, they may bend or break and require replacement.
#4 Bearings
The wheels drive on the bearings to allow rotation. The bearings wear out with usage or get damaged from impact, especially when overloaded or at high speed. The damaged bearings require immediate repair or replacement. Failure to repair or replace promptly may lead to damage to other parts.
#5 Flexible connections
Suspension and steering systems are movable parts that are linked by bushings, bearings, and joints. These connections allow some degree of flexibility to allow minor twisting or sliding.
While the joints and bearings require greasing, the bushings that separate the steering and suspension system and the car’s frame do not. They are made of rubber and do not require lubrication.
The joints, e.g., those attached to the control arm and both sides of the steering system, wear out with time and malfunction eventually. Likewise, the rubber bushings also wear out or become brittle.
#6 Car steering system
There are three types of steering systems – traditional manual steering and power steering (both hydraulic and electric). They all have multiple components that are vulnerable to failure.
- The manual type has joints, a steering box, and tie rods that wear out and bend or break from prolonged usage or hard impact.
- Hydraulic power steering that uses highly pressurised fluid is also prone to leakage from the high pressure, wearing out of the valves, and loosening or breaking of the belts that drive the steering pump. The hydraulic pump itself is also vulnerable to malfunctioning.
- The electric steering systems have their weaknesses too as they use sensors, have wired connections, rely on car battery power, and have actuators, all of which can malfunction.
While both these power steering types have problems, the hydraulic system is more prone to failure than the electric type but is also simpler and cheaper to maintain.
Suspension & Steering Repair
The steering and suspension are systems with multiple parts and joints and thus, have many vulnerabilities. They require regular inspection and immediate attention whenever you notice any change in steering ease or driving comfort.
If you’re facing a particular issue that you suspect affects the suspension system, you can learn more from this article and prepare for the cost of a suspension and steering repair job.
Keep in touch and learn more on vehicle maintenance from our blog.