Automobile Suspension System Troubleshooting

In the article Automobile Suspension System Troubleshooting, the major defects that occur in the suspension system of automobiles will be discussed with their possible troubleshooting technique.

Rough Ride | Automobile Suspension System Troubleshooting

In the conventional rigid axle suspension, the rough ride or the transmission of excessive road shocks to the vehicle body may be due to any or more of the following reasons:

The leaves of the spring may be rusted or corroded resulting in excessive friction. The lubrication of the springs should be done immediately to reduce friction.
The pins in the shackles may have seized, which should be set right at once.
Shock absorbers may be defective, which must be replaced.
Lubricating pads at the ends of leaves may be worn. They should be replaced.

In the independent suspensions, the causes of the rough ride may be any of the ones described above or any or more of the following:

The pivots on the suspension arms may be seized. The remedy is immediate lubrication.
In the case of torsion bars; their adjustment may not be correct, which should be adjusted properly.

Suspension too flexible | Automobile Suspension System Troubleshooting

The following are the main possible causes of this trouble:

The manufacturer might have specified that the springs should not be lubricated, which precaution might have been violated thus decreasing friction. The remedy is to clean the springs thoroughly.
Due to constant use, the springs may have become weak. The only remedy, in this case, is the replacements.
Some of the leaves of the springs may be broken which must be replaced.
The shock absorber might have developed some defects.

Sagging Springs | Automobile Suspension System Troubleshooting

With the sagging springs, the vehicle sags on one side. The following are the possible causes:

The spring on the sagging side may have become weak due to constant use.
Any or more leaves of the sagging spring may be broken.
In the case of independent systems, the coil spring may be incorrectly adjusted.

Vehicle bouncing after crossing the bump

Following are the probable causes and remedies:

Worn out shock absorbers, which must be replaced.
Damaged or slipped leaf springs, which have to be checked, repaired, or replaced.

Knocking during the crossing of bump

In case of knocking or clunking when going over a bump, the main causes are:

The shock absorbers or the struts may have worn out. In such a situation, shock absorbers and/or strut bearings have to be replaced.
Ball joints may be loose or worn out, which may be checked and serviced or replaced as required.

Noises

The noises produced in case there is any trouble in the suspension system are generally squeaking or rattling. These may be due to any of the following reasons:

Lack of lubrication may result in spring noise.
U-bolts may be loose.
There may be a side play in shackles.
The shackle pins and bushes may be loose.
There may be some defect in the shock absorbers.

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