Car suspension systems are engineered to maintain a stable and seamless driving experience. However, these suspension system components go bad over time, causing bouncing feelings while driving. Aside from bad suspension components, other factors can cause a truck bouncing while driving. One of the major contributors is age.
Too much suspension bounce can be uncomfortable and affect vehicle handling and safety on the road. In this article, I’ll walk you through the causes of bouncy car suspension components and how to reduce suspension bounce. But first, let’s see the possible causes.
Why is my car Suspension Bouncing?
Several factors like a bad shock absorber, faulty ball joints, poor alignment, tire issues, faulty steering wheel, broken struts, and hitting road bumps are the common reasons your car suspension bounces.
Broken struts
The strut is responsible for softening the ride and holding the tires in position to provide on-demand steering and braking system support. The strut can no longer soften your driving experience if it becomes bad. In other words, it will cause the suspension to bounce as you drive.
Keep in mind that the car may lose steering and braking support aside from the rear or front end bouncing while driving.
Bad shock absorber
The shock absorber and strut are similar in look and function. The shock absorber dampens or absorbs the springs’ and suspensions’ compression and rebound. They keep your tires on the road and help to reduce any form of skidding. If the shock absorber goes bad, it will cause your car to bounce while driving.
Poor wheel alignment
Another reason a car bounces while driving at high speeds and low speeds is poor wheel alignment. If the wheel alignment is off, the suspension components become more susceptible to damage. A poor alignment may cause the springs to shift from their positions and affect the wheels’ camber angles. This will not only cause a bumpy feeling but will also damage suspension components.
Bad tires
Bad car tires are another reason for a car to bounce. For example, tire cupping or sidewall damage will cause a bumpy drive. Generally, when you have bad tires, they tend to lose air quickly. Bad tires are usually prone to pressure leaks.
Uneven tire pressure
Tires are the only parts of your car that make contact with the road. Hence, they should be properly maintained for a smooth handling, safety, and seamless driving experience. Aside from using good quality tires, maintain appropriate tire pressures. If the tires are not adequately gauged, they can cause bumpy drives.
Faulty steering wheel system
A common sign of a faulty steering wheel system is bumpy rides. If your front end is bouncing at high speeds, it could be that the steering system is bad and needs attention. If this is the root cause, you’ll have to replace the wheel with a new one.
Road conditions
If your front and rear tire is bouncing while driving for the first time, don’t blame any of your car component. It could be due to the road conditions. For instance, you don’t have to complain of a bumpy ride when driving off-road. But if the bouncing continues even on a smooth pavement, go to a mechanic center for an inspection.
Other bad suspension components
Lastly, any other lousy suspension components will cause bouncing as you drive. Damaged upper and lower camber bushings, other suspension bushings, short tie rods, and damaged tie rods will cause bouncing. You need to inspect the entire suspension system components to trace the culprit.
Now that I have outlined what causes bouncy suspension let’s see how to fix them.
How to reduce and fix suspension bounce
As you have seen, there are several possible causes of bouncy car suspension systems. In the same manner, there are several ways to fix it. However, you only need to track the root cause and repair or replace it.
Reducing or fixing a bouncy suspension system involves replacing lousy strut and shock absorbers, bad tires, and damaged springs, performing wheel alignment and balancing, and regularly checking tire pressures.
Replace bad shock absorber and struts.
The first thing I usually check on a bouncy car is the shock absorbers and strut. They are the most common cause of excessive bounce on a car. Replace them if the diagnosis proves they are bad. In most cases, that’s all you need to fix the problem.
Get a wheel balancing and alignment.
A proper wheel alignment will reduce or stop a bouncing suspension if the suspension is out of alignment. It’s also necessary to check and balance the wheels during alignment. Unbalanced wheels will cause bouncy issues.
Inflate the tires
Uneven tire pressure will cause several issues. So, you should check and inflate the tires. Ensure they are not overinflated or underinflated. Maintain the recommended PSI for the front and rear tires.
Get better tires
As explained, old tires are one of the reasons for a bouncy ride. Get better tires from a premium brand and replace the old ones. Premium tires will not only reduce or stop bouncy rides. It’ll enhance handling and safety and also extend the shelf life of several system components.
Inspect and replace damaged suspensions.
Inspect other suspension system components, like the ball joints, upper and lower camber bushings, and others. Replace any damaged suspension components. Sometimes, more than one component could be causing the bouncy ride. So, replacing just one will only reduce the bounce rate. If you want excellent results, you must thoroughly diagnose and replace all defective components.
Final Words
Knowing what causes and how to reduce suspension bounce without taking action won’t fix the problem. You must implement what you learned here before expecting any results.
The actual cause is usually simple and easy to fix with the right guide. The common issues are usually faulty suspension components that need replacement.
