Know Your Auto Suspension Parts

Imagine that you are driving in your car and happen to a large speed breaker in the middle of the route that you have to cross. You may feel uncomfortable because you are aware your vehicle has a poor suspension system. However, if your car is equipped with effective suspension parts, there will be no need to worry about bumps or other similar hurdles. Suspension parts help you cross hurdles on the road smoothly.

Here is going to introduce some different parts of a suspension system.

* Control Arm

Control arm is also known as wishbone. The shape of this suspension part is nearly triangular. It resembles ‘A’, so sometimes it is also referred to as the A-arm. On one side, it is attached to a steering knuckle with a ball joint, and on the other side it is attached to an arm shaft with bushing.

* Bushing

Bushings are small but indispensible parts in the suspension system. It is mostly made of synthetic rubber to separate out its two metal parts. This synthetic rubber helps both metal parts to coordinate smoothly. In addition, it helps the suspension parts to move freely when navigating a large bump. Some polyurethane bushes sold in the market are more durable.

* Ball Joint

A ball joint is a spherical bearing. Generally, it is used to join the steering knuckles and the control arms. It is a very important part between the steering and suspension, and it is responsible for safe operation. The difference between these and the standard ball joints is that lubricants are not needed for sealed ball joints because they are already lubed, while standard ball joints need regular lubing, otherwise they may cause lose control.

* Sway Bar

Sway bar is also called stabilizer bar. It is used in a vehicle suspension system to reduce jerks caused by irregular road surfaces. Besides, it helps the vehicle to keep a ‘grip’ on the road so that the driver can steer the vehicle well, even while turning or in the case of poor road surfaces.

* Idler Arms & Pitman Arms

Idler and pitman arms depend on the support of steering linkage. An idler arm is fitted to the opposite of pitman arm on the center link and one of the pitman arm’s ends is attached to the vehicle’s steering gear to help steer the wheel.

If you have been driving a car for some time now, you would know the importance of having an idler arm. It helps to hold the center link at a proper height by attaching the other end onto the vehicle frame and it would be making things easier for you. But you should know how to make adjustments using the equipment, while you are on the roads. You should be checking its condition every now and then - so that you’ll be getting the best of it. If it is the first time you’re going to change idler arm by yourself, there will be a bunch of things needed to be purchased. You should be starting the changing process only after making sure you are with the right set of tools and products.

For a nicer driving experience, you should be checking each and every part of your vehicle when you take it for maintenance. It means you should be taking your car for maintenance regularly. Otherwise, you won’t be able to inspect these kinds of things that easily.

The ones introduced here are only some parts of the auto suspension. There are many more big and small parts within the suspension system. Adjusting sleeves, center links, drag links, strut mounts, sway bar links, tie rod ends, wheel hubs, and other similar parts are also components of auto suspension. Without understanding these parts, you cannot fully understand your vehicle suspension system.