Description
Car has bouncy and unstable ride Inspection
How this system works:
Two systems directly impact how bouncy and unstable your ride is. The first is the tyres. Since the tires are the only part of your vehicle that come into direct contact with the road, they can often be the difference between a smooth ride and an incredibly uncomfortable one.
More often, however, the stability and comfort of the ride is determined by the suspension system. One of the primary goals of the suspension system is to lessen the impact of the road on the body of the car, and also on the driver and passengers. The suspension system takes the impact that the wheels are subject to, and absorbs much of the force so that it is not applied to the body of the vehicle, and to your seat.
Common reasons for this to happen:
These are the primary components of the suspension system that can cause a bouncy or unstable ride, as well as some other potential culprits:
- Damaged shock absorbers: Shock absorbers are exactly what they sound like — parts of your suspension system that absorb shock. The shock absorbers connect the suspension to the frame of the car. They are made up of a cylinder filled with a liquid or a gas. As the wheels and the suspension are subjected to force and impact from the road, the cylinder in the shock absorbers moves back and forth, and is met by resistance from the gas or liquid. This resistance limits the impact of the force, and makes it so that the body of the car receives very little of the impact that the suspension feels. When the shock absorbers are damaged, there is no absorption connecting the suspension to the body, and all of the bumps in the road are felt by the passengers in the car.
- Broken strut assembly: The strut assembly is essentially a modified shock absorber. Modern vehicles feature shock absorbers for the rear wheels, and strut assemblies for the front wheels. Strut assemblies are shock absorbers that have coil springs in the cylinder, along with the normal gas or liquid. These coil springs help further the assembly’s ability to absorb shock. Since the front wheels almost always bear the weight of the vehicle’s engine, this extra element of shock absorption is key for a smooth ride.
- Poorly lubricated suspension system: Like most parts of your vehicle, the suspension system relies on proper lubrication in order to work effectively. If the suspension oil is either contaminated, or leaking, the suspension will not be properly lubricated, and the pieces will not move smoothly and effectively. When the suspension cannot move smoothly, it is unable to absorb as much road impact as it should.
- Overinflated tyres: It’s important that your tyres remain well inflated, but they can sometimes be overinflated. Too much air in the tyres results in a bumpy and unstable ride, as the tyres are unmalleable, and do not absorb any of the impact from the road. Imagine a skateboard (which has very hard wheels) rolling across tarmac, versus a soccer ball, which is much softer. The skateboard will bounce aggressively, while the soccer ball will roll smoothly. However, if you notice the uncomfortable ride occurring right after adding air to your tyres, that doesn’t mean that the tires are overinflated. If the tyres had previously been underinflated, they would have covered up any failings in the suspension system. So you may have properly inflated tyres that are exposing a suspension issue.
- Bulging tyres: Tires can sometimes acquire bulges that make them very misshapen. These bulges directly impact the smoothness of the ride. If you notice that the bounciness while driving is a little sporadic, this may be the issue.
- Warped brakes: When you press your brake pedal, the brake pads apply pressure to the brake rotors. This pressure causes friction, which is what makes your vehicle slow down and stop. When the rotors or pads become warped, this friction becomes unstable and bouncy, and your car will bounce and shake when you brake. If the stability of your vehicle is tied directly to whether or not you are braking, then chances are you have warped brake pads or rotors.
What to expect:
A top-rated mobile mechanic will come to your home or office to determine the cause of the bumpy or unstable ride, and will then provide a detailed inspection report that includes the scope and cost of the necessary repairs.
How it’s done:
A mechanic will determine the root of the bumpiness by thoroughly inspecting your suspension and shock system, and also checking out your tires. Most of the components that cause a bouncy and unstable ride will need to be replaced. After the mechanic has replaced the components, the smoothness of the ride should return to normal.
How important is this service?
A bumpy or unstable ride directly impacts the driver and passengers in a vehicle. Just as importantly, a bumpy or unstable ride means that your vehicle is subject to large amounts of force and shock, which can damage the body of the vehicle, and sometimes even the engine. If you notice that it is uncomfortable to drive, you should schedule an inspection immediately.
