7 ways to avoid wear and tear on your suspension system

Jet Sanchez
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Driving on rough roads? Protect your suspension with smarter habits.

Driving on rough roads? Protect your suspension with smarter habits.

A vehicle’s suspension system is integral to maintaining a smooth ride, proper handling and overall safety. However, neglecting it, especially on a road trip, can lead to costly repairs.

Below, we outline practical steps to minimise wear and tear on your suspension system.

Toyota Land Cruiser 70 off-road

1. Inspect tyres and maintain proper pressure

Uneven tyre wear or incorrect tyre pressure can place unnecessary stress on your suspension components.

Check your tyre pressure regularly and ensure it matches the manufacturer’s recommendations. Uneven wear patterns might indicate alignment issues, which can strain the suspension over time.

2. Avoid overloading your vehicle

Every car has a specified weight limit. Carrying loads that exceed this capacity can prematurely wear down springs, shocks, and other suspension parts.

Always refer to your vehicle’s gross vehicle mass (GVM) and distribute weight evenly to maintain balance.

3. Drive cautiously on rough roads

Gravel, potholes and uneven surfaces can damage shocks, struts and bushings if driven over aggressively.

While avoiding such roads entirely may not be feasible, reduce speed and manoeuvre carefully to minimise impact forces on the suspension.

4. Schedule regular wheel alignments

Misaligned wheels compromise handling and force suspension components to compensate for imbalances. Schedule alignments every 12000 to 15000km or when you notice your car pulling to one side.

Car suspension coil spring

5. Keep suspension components clean

Dirt, debris and road salt can accelerate corrosion on suspension parts.

Regularly clean the undercarriage of your vehicle, particularly if you frequently drive in wet or salty conditions.

6. Replace worn parts promptly

Ignoring worn components can lead to cascading failures.

If you notice excessive bouncing, a clunking noise or uneven tyre wear, have your suspension inspected and replace damaged parts immediately.

7. Use quality replacement parts

Finally, when repairs are necessary, opt for high-quality or OEM (original equipment manufacturer) components. These are often more durable and better suited to your vehicle than cheaper alternatives.

By following these steps, you’ll reduce unnecessary wear and tear on your suspension system, extend its lifespan, and save on costly repairs. Regular maintenance and mindful driving go a long way in keeping your vehicle performing at its best.