We’ve all heard of vehicle suspension – but what is it, and why is it so important? In our comprehensive guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know – from how it impacts your driving experience to how to test and upgrade your existing suspension system. 

What is a vehicle suspension? 

A vehicle’s suspension is comprised of shock absorbers and springs that help to ensure your vehicle drives safely and smoothly. It does this by absorbing energy from road bumps and various other moving forces whilst also helping your tyres stay in contact with the road by increasing tyre friction.  

Key Components of Vehicle Suspension 

• Shock Absorbers (Shocks): These dampen the impact of road forces and reduce motion, ensuring the tyres remain in contact with the road for stable steering and handling. 

• Springs: These support vehicle weight and absorb bumps, allowing the wheels to move up and adapt to road surfaces, which reduces jolting and enhances comfort. 

Why Is the Suspension System So Important?  

Your vehicle’s suspension system is responsible for keeping your vehicle in control, whilst providing a smooth and pleasant driving experience. This is achieved by limiting the impact of the road conditions on drivers and passengers. The suspension system does this by maximising the friction between the tyres and the road to provide good handling and steering stability.    

How To Check Your Vehicle’s Suspension   

Over time, the parts of the suspension system can become worn out – causing poor handling and a bumpier ride. However, there are some ways you can check your vehicle to spot the signs of a worn suspension early on: 

Bounce test   

The bounce test is the simplest way to find out if there is an issue with your vehicle’s suspension. Simply park your truck, van or lorry on flat, firm, or even ground and push down on the front of the vehicle. If the vehicle doesn’t come back up and settle into place, there may be an issue with your suspension.     

The signs to look out for during the bounce test are whether the vehicle rocks up and down several times. If, after repeating the bounce test on the rear side of the vehicle, the rocking persists – your shock absorbers may have worn out.     

Inspect the strut mounts and shock absorbers   

The best way to do this is by locating the strut mounts and shock absorbers under the hood of your vehicle. They can be found above each wheel, secured with bolts. We recommend checking whether they are loose or covered in rust – as this will mean they are not functioning correctly.   

Once located and checked over, measure the amount of empty space between the top of the tyre and the bottom of the vehicle. The measurements should be fairly equal. If they are largely unequal, there is a chance the lower side is where the problem is.    

What Are the Signs of Worn Suspension?  

Poor handling  

A worn suspension can impact the overall control and handling of your vehicle, such as poor steering and incorrect wheel alignment. If you notice that your vehicle pulls or drifts when turning corners, as well as an unusual noise – this indicates a serious safety concern if left unchecked.   

Bumpy driving  

If you notice the drive is bumpier than usual, even on smoother roads, this could be due to suspension problems. As with other vehicle components, the parts of your vehicle’s suspension system can also wear out over time and may not absorb bumps like it should – causing an uncomfortable drive.  

Uneven tyre treads  

Generally, tyres should wear evenly over time. If you notice the outside or inside of your vehicle’s tyre is more worn than the rest, it could be a sign of incorrect wheel alignment or a failing suspension system.   

Uneven weight distribution  

If you notice that your vehicle is lower on one side than the other, it’s likely a spring in the system may be broken. We recommend parking your vehicle on a level surface and doing the ‘bounce test’ to confirm if there’s an issue. 

Greasy shock absorbers  

Shock absorbers should appear dry. If you notice they look greasy or oily, this may indicate there may be a leak, which could cause damage to your vehicle if left untouched. We recommend taking your vehicle to your nearest garage for an inspection.   

When Should You Upgrade Your Vehicles Suspension? 

As time goes on, parts of your vehicle’s suspension can wear out.   

This can cause problems such as:   

• Increased breaking time/brakes working slower than usual   

• Less effective control and handling of the vehicle    

• A bumpy ride    

• Uneven tyre wear    

You should consider upgrading your leaf springs if you notice any of the symptoms listed above.    

How to upgrade your vehicle’s suspension?  

Replace your leaf springs 

Leaf springs are designed to support the weight of a vehicle – making them an integral component of heavy-loading vehicles like vans and lorries. Replacing your leaf springs can increase load capacity, shock absorption, handling and comfort when driving.   

At Midland Road Springs, we supply, replace and fit, both new and refurbished, leaf springs to meet your vehicle’s exact specifications. Shop the entire collection, or explore our range of light commercial or heavy-duty leaf springs.   

Replace your struts 

Struts are an integral part of a vehicle and its chassis. They minimise the jolts you feel when driving. Replacing worn struts, shock absorbers and the coil springs they are composed of can assist with improving a vehicle’s alignment, steering and overall driving quality. Typically, struts are replaced every 50,000 to 100,000 miles, depending on various factors – though we recommend consulting a mechanic if you’re unsure whether your struts need replacing.    

Buy new tyres  

The easiest way to upgrade your vehicle’s suspension is to upgrade the tyres on your vehicle. Driving on tyres that are designed specifically for the needs of your vehicle or weather conditions will ensure a firm and stable grip on the road. The right tyres can improve comfort, help to optimise fuel economy, decrease noise level and, most importantly, improve your vehicle’s overall handling.    

Use sway bars   

If you find the weight of your vehicle shifts, causing one side to dip as the other side rises when turning a corner, this is referred to as ‘body roll’. Too much body roll can cause a loss of firm contact with the road and control of the vehicle. Sway bars are used to reduce this by connecting the suspension on both sides of the vehicle for improved weight distribution – helping the tyres on the rising side of the vehicle to have better contact with the surface of the road.    

How can Midland Road Springs help? 

Leaf springs are designed to support the weight of a vehicle, making them a vital component of heavy-loading vehicles. Replacing or upgrading your leaf springs can increase load capacity, shock absorption, handling and comfort when driving. 

At Midland Road Springs, we supply, replace and fit, both new and refurbished, leaf springs to meet your vehicle’s exact specifications. Shop the collection here, or explore our range of light commercial or heavy-duty leaf springs. For more information, contact our expert team today. 

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