How to check your car's suspension
Content
In Moscow, there are many service stations involved in troubleshooting running gear. It is recommended to evaluate not only the cost of the services provided, but also customer reviews, since dishonest craftsmen can mislead the car owner by pointing out the presence of defects that are not really there. The search is advised to be carried out on well-known sites where the rating of performers is presented.
Diagnosing a car suspension with little experience with mechanisms is not difficult and can be carried out in an unequipped room (garage). You can fully check the condition of the running car at a specialized service station.
What is car suspension diagnostics
Suspension check is a search and elimination of faults in the chassis of the car. Its condition is responsible not only for the comfortable movement of the car, but also affects safety - in the presence of some malfunctions, the operation of the vehicle is not allowed.
When is it time to check your suspension?
The suspension is the most vulnerable part of the car, as it is subject to constant overloads. Elements of the system are considered consumables - spare parts that periodically change as intensive use. Experts recommend diagnosing at least every 10 thousand kilometers.
What does it include
The suspension check consists of assessing the condition of the wheels (rims, tires), shock absorbers, front and rear moving mechanisms. Routine work should be carried out in the following order:
- every 15 thousand km, it is recommended to do wheel alignment to avoid uneven tire wear;
- after 60 thousand km, the condition of the anti-roll bars is assessed, replacing, if necessary, the bushings or the part as a whole;
- bearings are inspected once or twice a year for backlash;
- other nodes are checked at least once a year.
The assessment of the state of the chassis is carried out manually or using specialized equipment (the second option is preferable).
Why
A properly tuned suspension that is in good condition ensures safe driving and reduces the risk of an accident. When a dangerous situation arises on the road, the effectiveness of the braking and steering systems will prevent a collision with another vehicle. Timely detection of malfunctions will save the car owner from large expenses in the future, since a defect in one node entails damage to the neighboring one.
Ball joint fell off
Types of diagnostics
Depending on the equipment used, there are types of car suspension diagnostics.
acoustic
It is carried out after inspection on the backlash detector (or manual check), if no problems are identified. To carry it out, you need to purchase a device that consists of several sensors and a control unit. A full inspection will take about four hours.
The procedure is as follows:
- Sensors are attached to various elements of the car, reading sound vibrations and transmitting them to the control unit.
- When passing roughnesses in the road, noises occur that are uncharacteristic of a running gear in working condition.
Electronic
This type of diagnostics is used only for modern cars and consists in connecting a computer to the vehicle's electronic control unit. If there is a malfunction in the elements of the chassis, the sensors will signal this, and an error will be written in the “brains” of the car. After identifying the defect, it will be easier for the foreman to find out in which node the breakdown occurred, and he will be able to visually assess the scale of the problem.
Vibrodiagnostics
The vibrating stand is a platform that swings in different directions, imitates movement on uneven road surfaces in order to identify defects in the running gear. Sensors transmit information about the operation of the suspension to the computer, which indicates the presence or absence of a malfunction. A special program compares the received data with the standard ones for a particular brand of car and analyzes the degree of deviation of the parameters from those set by the manufacturer. At the service station, a vibrodynamic suspension check is allowed only for modern cars; it will not work to diagnose cars “aged”.
Broken car suspension
Diagnostics on the shaker may give incorrect results. In most cases, this is not due to a defect in the equipment, but to the qualifications of the master, who cannot correctly identify the malfunction.
How to do suspension diagnostics
You can conduct a survey of the chassis yourself using improvised means, or by entrusting the work to the masters at a car service.
With your own hands
Self-diagnosis and repair are usually carried out in a garage with a minimum of tools. Experts recommend checking the chassis in the following ways:
- visually inspect the nodes for a malfunction of the fasteners, a defect in the rubber elements, leakage of liquids;
- drive a car with open windows and listen to the emerging extraneous noise, determining the location of the malfunction;
- drive into a pit or overpass, "pulling" with your hands on all movable elements in order to search for play or "sourness".
If there is any doubt about the performance of a particular part, it is recommended to contact a specialized car repair shop.
On the vibrating table
The process is advised to be carried out under the supervision of specialists. The car is set to neutral and driven onto the platform. Depending on the model of diagnostic equipment, in some cases, sensors are additionally installed on the suspension parts to be checked.
Silent block rubber peeling
On the lift
An inspection on a lift is similar to an inspection on a flyover or in a pit, with the only difference being that the master has the best ability to move the car, therefore, has access to more suspension units.
Where can I get a diagnosis
In Moscow, there are many service stations involved in troubleshooting running gear. It is recommended to evaluate not only the cost of the services provided, but also customer reviews, since dishonest craftsmen can mislead the car owner by pointing out the presence of defects that are not really there. The search is advised to be carried out on well-known sites where the rating of performers is presented.
Signs It's Time to Change Your Car's Suspension
Important points to pay attention to:
- every defect in the road surface is transferred to the salon;
- while driving, the car pulls to the side;
- during heavy braking, the front of the car flexes unnecessarily and “nods”;
- uneven tire wear occurs;
- there are oil stains on the parts.
Any of the above signs requires immediate suspension diagnostics.
