Introduction
You should start the journey for buying a used car by getting a detailed car history report from experts like REVS. You can get the car history report by providing them the VIN number or registration number of the car and on payment of a small fee. The car history report will provide you important information on the used car which you are planning to buy. It can act as a valuable resource which will help you to make rational buying decision.
The suspension of your used car is its integral part and the current article provides insights into its importance and proper maintenance.
Why is Suspension Important
Your car’s suspension system plays an important role in its working and should be maintained properly. It absorbs vibration, gravitation, and hard impacts while driving and makes your ride smoother and comfortable. It keeps the tyres in contact with the road at all times which further absorbs shocks and also ensures better safety. If the suspension system is not working properly, then even minor bumps or turning at high speeds can lift the tyres off the road and send the car flipping. Hence, you should take proper care of your used car’s suspension system.
Tips for Suspension Maintenance
The key tips for taking care of your used car’s suspension system are as follows:
Keep the Tyres Correctly Inflated
Tyres are an important part of your car’s suspension system and they should be correctly inflated. If the tyre is not properly inflated, then it will not wear correctly, which can impact your car’s suspension system. You should also rotate the tyres on your car to ensure even wear and tear which will also ensure that the suspension works properly and its lifespan is elongated. You can also get the wheels balanced and adjusted regularly to take care of the suspension.
Inspect Signs of Wear and Tear
You should keep inspecting the suspension on your used car for signs of wear and tear. Mere physical inspection of the suspension can help to identify any problems which can become severe later. You should inspect the suspension after every oil change. You should also regularly inspect the rubber bushings for any cracks, swelling, oil contamination, etc. Any oil found on these parts should be cleaned immediately. You can also perform a bounce test on your car by pushing it up and down and checking how many times it bounces. If it bounces more than twice, it may mean that the struts are damaged and may need to be replaced.
Decontaminate the Suspension
Oil is the most common reason for failure of bushing in your car’s suspension. Oil damages the suspension in more cases than the age of the suspension itself. If you observe oil on your car’s suspension, then you should use a good quality degreaser to decontaminate the bushing immediately. If you don’t do so, the bushing will become softer over time and will fail to perform its task. If the bushing is already damaged due to being contaminated by oil, you should consider replacing it without fail.
