Concerning Signs a Car’s Suspension Isn’t Up to Par for Students Who Want to Become a Certified Mechanic
Many drivers don’t realize that their car’s suspension system is one of the most important systems in their entire vehicle. Yes, you need the engine to actually make a car go, but you need the suspension system to have any control over what a car is doing on the road. Without it, bumps in the road would send a car catapulting into the air and crashing back to the ground. Suspension systems help create an ideal amount of friction between the car and the road, providing a smoother, safer, and more controlled ride.
To ensure the safety of your customers as a future auto mechanic, watch out for these signs that their car’s suspension may be wearing out or even broken.
Your Customer Can Feel Every Bump in the Road When Driving Their Car
A car’s suspension should be forgiving enough that the car doesn’t become damaged when going over a bump, but strong enough to keep the ride feeling fairly level and even. If a customer comes into your shop once you become a certified mechanic and complains that it feels like they can feel every pebble, rock, and pothole, it’s a strong indicator that they may be having suspension issues.
Watch for Cars That Lurch Forward When Stopping Once You Become a Certified Mechanic
Have you ever noticed how many old, poorly-kept cars lurch forward when stopping quickly? This is usually because of a worn suspension system. When the suspension system isn’t strong enough to bear the force of the weight of the vehicle during the stop, the weight will transfer to the front of the vehicle, causing it to dip. This can be extremely dangerous, causing drivers to temporarily lose control of the vehicle and even prevent them from being able to stop quickly. It’s a phenomenon that can also be observed when a car accelerates, when the front of the vehicle shoots upward like a boat does when picking up speed.
Watch for One Corner of a Car Being Lower Than the Others Once You Become a Certified Mechanic
If one corner of a vehicle is sinking lower than the rest of it, it could be a sign that a spring in the suspension system is broken. As a spring wears down, it loses its strength to bounce back against the weight of the vehicle. This results in the spring becoming permanently compressed under the car’s weight, which causes the area of the vehicle where the spring is located to sit lower.
Be Aware of Cars with Balding Tires and Uneven Wear
Professionals with auto mechanic certification know that there are many reasons for balding tires and uneven wear. If you can’t determine what is causing your customer’s tires to bald after inspecting for more common problems such as alignment or wheel issues, it could actually be a problem with the suspension. If the suspension system is breaking down unevenly, it could cause certain parts of the vehicle to take more of a beating than others when driving on rough roads. This results in tires getting random bald spots and uneven wear.
Unexplained Leaking Fluids May Be Indicating a Suspension Problem
There are many fluids that can leak in a vehicle, from gas and coolant to engine oil and lubricant. Not many car owners may attribute a leak to their suspension, but if you can’t determine where a leak is coming from, the suspension system may be the culprit. All shocks in a vehicle have a reservoir that stores hydraulic fluid that stabilizes the vehicle. If the fluid leaks, it can reduce the effectiveness of the shock absorbers and suspension system as a whole.
Do you want to learn more about suspension systems and car repair?
Contact Automotive Training Centres today to begin your auto mechanic certification in Montreal!
