Your suspension system does more than make your ride smoother! In fact, it's a key component of driving safety, and without it your tyres and brakes won't work as well.

When was the last time you had your suspension checked? Visit your nearest store today to ensure that your car's suspension doesn't let you down.

Your Suspension System - How does it work?

Your car's suspension system allows you to ride relatively undisturbed while travelling over rough roads. It also allows your vehicle to corner with minimum roll or sway, stop with a minimum of brake dive, and accelerate with a minimum of acceleration squat. This dynamic control keeps the tyres in contact with the road.

The components of your car's suspension system perform six basic functions:

1. Maintain correct vehicle ride height
2. Reduce the effect of shock forces
3. Maintain correct wheel alignment
4. Support vehicle weight
5. Keep the tyres in contact with the road
6. Control the vehicle's direction of travel

However, to ensure this happens, all of the suspension components, both front and rear, must be in good working condition.

Components of your Suspension System

Your car's suspension system is made up of struts, shock absorbers, springs and tyres.

Shocks and struts are important for your driving safety. Their function is to keep the tyres on the road by controlling spring and suspension movements and by maintaining a vertical load on the tyres.

Under normal driving conditions, the shocks on your car stroke' over one thousand times per kilometre. As a result, shock absorbers wear out quite quickly. To maintain the maximum ride comfort and handling of you vehicle, Monroe, a global supplier of suspension parts recommends to check shock absorber performance every 20,000 kilometres and have them changed every 80,000km.

The springs support the weight of your vehicle, acting as a flexible link allowing the frame and body to ride relatively undisturbed while the tyres and suspension follow the road.

The Danger of Worn Shocks

It only takes one worn shock absorber in your car to compromise your safety. Your braking distance can be increased by two metres, travelling at 50kmh, when your shock absorbers aren't working properly. This can cause a great deal of damage to your car.

Worn shocks may lead to:

1. Excessive tyre bounce
2. Poor tyre-to-road contact
3. Reduced suspension control
4. Premature tyre wear
5. Reduced handling and braking performance
6. Noise and suspension vibration.