Service Highlight: Steering and Suspension

The steering and suspension systems are important for both your safety and comfort when driving as they ensure a smooth ride as your car travels over bumpy roads. The two systems are usually talked about together as they are directly related to each other. However, what does each system do? When do you need to check these important systems? And, how can you tell if either system is damaged in some way?

What does the suspension system do?

Simply put, the suspension system connects the vehicle to its wheels. In doing so, it takes responsibility for two main functions:

1. Providing a comfortable ride for the driver and passengers by smoothing out the bumps and other imperfections in the road.
2. Keeping the wheels on the ground as much as possible to provide traction.

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Without a suspension system, the car’s wheels would hit a bump and move up and down perpendicular to the road surface. This vertical energy would be transferred to the car’s frame, which would pull the wheels away from the road before gravity takes over and slams the car down. The suspension system must be finely tuned using a combination of springs and shock absorbers to reduce these effects for a comfortable and smooth ride.

What does the steering system do?

Basically, the steering system allows the driver to guide the vehicle. The steering wheel is connected, via the steering column and a series of pivoted joints, to the suspension system. This allows the wheels to move up and down as required by the road surface without changing the steering angle. This system also ensures that the wheels turn as required, for example the inner front wheel (which has a tighter curve than the outer one) is more sharply angled when cornering. Like the suspension system, the steering system also requires precise adjustment, as any looseness in the joints can make the steering dangerous.

Symptoms of a faulty suspension and/or steering systems

It is recommended that you visually inspect your steering and suspension systems, if you notice any of the following symptoms bring your car to our technicians:

• Nose dives, squats or rolls – when your car nose dives forward, squats backwards or rolls from side-to-side when you move in different directions.
• Bottom out – when your car doesn’t have enough suspension to absorb the bump it is driving over and the tyres hit the bottom of your car when the suspension is compressed.
• Bouncing over bumps – when your car bounces repeatedly after driving over a bump in the road.
• Bumpy ride - when you can feel every bump in the road.
• Bump steer – this happens when your car hits a bump and the wheels turn left or right without the driver turning the steering wheel.
• Oversteer / Understeer – when the rear or the front of your car loses traction when rounding a corner. This is worse when road surfaces are slippery.
• Hard steering / power steering doesn’t seem to be working – this is when it becomes more difficult to turn your steering wheel.
• Loose steering – the opposite of hard steering above, steering is now too easy and feels sloppy.
• Car pulls to one side when driving / car seems to wander down the road – this is often only noticed when the problem becomes severe. When driving, you need to hold the steering wheel in place in order to keep your car going in the right direction.
• Steering wheel jerks – while you don’t notice any (or many) other problems, your steering wheel seems to jump or jerk at irregular intervals.
• Steering wheel vibrates – from 72 km/h  (approximately 45 mph) your steering wheel and car start to vibrate.
• Steering wheel wobbles – your steering wheel starts to wobble from side-to-side when you drive at a constant speed.
• Noises when turning a corner – the only symptom you notice is a knocking, clunking and/or squeaking noise when you turn a corner.
• Noises from the power steering unit – the only symptom you notice is a whining noise from the steering when you turn the wheel fully in one direction or the other.
• One low corner – in other words you notice one corner of your car is lower than the others when it is unloaded and parked on even ground.

Schedule regular inspections of your steering and suspension systems.

Inspecting your steering and suspension systems requires a range of specific tools and specialist technical knowledge. As these systems are critical to your safety, it is vital that these safety inspections and repairs are carried out by a certified technician if they are beyond your expertise level and available tools.

At NTW, we will inspect your steering and suspension systems:

• Every 50,000 miles (approximately 80,000 km).
• As part of your annual service or any time your car is in for routine service and the steering and suspension systems are accessible.
• When your tyres are replaced.
• When your brakes are serviced.
• When your oil and filters are changed.
• After an accident where your wheels or suspension are damaged.

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