Signs Your BMW Might Need Suspension Work Done

Imagine you are coming to a stop light, and need to put on the brakes, quicker than usual. When you come to a stop, you notice that your car bounces. The bouncing of a vehicle almost certainly signals that there is a problem with your suspension. The most common cause being a worn out shock or strut. Shock, struts and other suspension parts play a huge role in keeping your vehicle affixed to the ground, overall ride quality, and most importantly no bounce. Depending on what kind of road you travel on, will affect how long your vehicle’s suspension parts last. If you live on a country road that has gravel and potholes, the suspension parts will wear out faster. When any of the components start to fail, you will notice a difference in how your vehicle rides. Some of the more apparent signs of worn out suspension parts can include:

  • Car Body Sways – can feel like vehicle isn’t firmly planted on the road
  • Lowered Ride Height – on one side or both, car will appear to sag slightly
  • Tire Vibration – especially after hitting a bump
  • Poor Steering Return – When turning the wheel, it doesn’t immediately go back to center
  • Tire Shake – after encountering a hump in the road or braking at high speeds

These are just a few examples of what you might experience when a suspension part is failing or has already broken. A vehicle’s suspension is made up of different components depending on the model vehicle you have. The most common elements are the shocks, struts, springs, and tires. However, some BMW’s utilize a Coilover shock system for improved performance. Often time suspension components will be grouped with steering components because they frequently work together. For instance, control arms can be seen as both because the spring will rest on them.

Struts are a structural part of the suspension. It will not only dampen what you feel on the road, but it also keeps stability in check. These significant parts of your suspension should require replacement when needed.

How Important is a Suspension Inspection?

All the parts of your vehicle need to be in good condition to give you the best ride possible. The suspension system is no exception. To identify any problems an inspection can help. A suspension inspection is not a long process, but it can determine many issues your car might be having. The examination will including looking at the shocks and struts for leaking fluid, weak springs, and how the tires are wearing. After the inspection is completed, you should be alerted to any issues. Replacing parts that need to be replaced can stop from other costly repairs. Continuing to drive a vehicle with worn out suspension can cause steering components to wear out prematurely. It can also cause tires to need to be replaced sooner.

Conclusion

The suspension of your vehicle works together so that you won’t feel every bump in the road. If you aren’t wanting to have a sore back from a car bouncing and swaying, then it is a good idea to have an inspection done and correct any problems.

BMW Ride Quality

Don’t Let Your BMW Ride Quality Suffer Because of Faulty Suspension

The suspension in most vehicles is pretty standardized. However, the suspension in a BMW is entirely different, and depending on the model has some degree of variants. The BMW’s unique suspension design creates one of the best ride qualities to date. While other manufacturers are using lower control arms and a single ball joint, BMW has dual-link struts that have their ball joints. While you might be saying, but what’s the difference? There is a huge difference. This setup allows for movement that a single ball joint/lower control arm setup just doesn’t have. Depending on the model, suspension parts can include the coils, coil-over springs, sway bars, and shocks. In newer BMW’s you’ll find that they use an adaptive suspension in some models that adjust depending on what you select. Perhaps one of the essential features of the BMW’s suspension system is its shocks. Shocks have some critical roles in how it relates to riding quality. They keep a BMW planted firmly on the road, and “dampen” what you feel when you hit a bump in the road. The shocks that are on most models are adjustable. The ability to adjust just how much you will feel when driving is an excellent way to not only personalize your ride but also get the most out of your suspension parts.

There are many ways to tell if a shock has gone wrong. Taking your vehicle to a BMW service Roseville shop like Ryan GMW is the best option for determining if something is wrong with the suspension of your BMW. For a self-test on if shocks are worn out, although not as scientific or exact, is the bounce test. If you were to lean on the car on one corner pushing it towards the ground and let off, is there any bounce or does it return to position right away? If it bounces a couple of times, changes are good suspension repair and service are in your future. It is necessary to replace worn out shocks quickly. There a few downsides to driving a car with severe collapses and they can include:

  • Reduces brake efficiency
  • Anti-lock brake system isn’t as effective
  • Control when cornering can be compromised
  • Increased wear on tires
  • Uncomfortable ride

It’s essential to have shocks, or any other suspension parts replaced when needed. Ryan GMW is the BMW expert that offers fantastic repair work on all BMWs. BMWs aren’t like every other car on the road. They are sophisticated and require an expert to troubleshoot and repair their problems.

Conclusion

The suspension in a BMW is complicated, and this complexity is what makes the ride quality so much more appealing while driving. When there is a problem with the suspension parts, such as worn out shocks, there is a noticeable difference in drive quality. It is unsafe to drive a vehicle for an extended length of time on bad shocks, and it should be addressed by a professional. Check out the services we offer, here!