Auto Suspension

Suspension Maintenance, Repair & Installation Services in Denton, TX

Your vehicle’s suspension system serves a dual purpose:

1. Helps the car’s handling and braking for safety as well as driving pleasure
2. Isolates vehicle occupants from road noise, bumps, and vibrations while driving

Because these two goals require different settings on the suspension system, tuning requires a certain amount of compromise. Achieving the right balance also helps to protect the vehicle and any of its cargo from road wear and damage. Spenser’s Quality Automotive understands that Denton residents often do a lot of city driving and rely on the integrity of their vehicle as they navigate the North Texas roads and highways. Our professional technicians can assess your individual needs and apply them to the specific design of your car, foreign or domestic, for optimum performance, assuring your suspension system is well maintained and tuned properly.

Parts of a Suspension System

The suspension system on your car is part of something called a chassis, which is the basis of the car’s body. The components that make up your vehicle’s suspension include:

Frame – The load carrying structure supporting the engine and body

Suspension system – The setup for shock absorption, weight support, and tire contact maintenance

Steering system – The aspect of the mechanics allowing the driver to direct the vehicle

Tire & wheels – The element making motion possible through grip and friction with the road

Suspension Springs

The suspension systems can incorporate coil springs or leaf springs, depending on the type of vehicle you drive, as well as the age. Leaf springs were the original design created for horse-drawn carriages and incorporated in most vehicles until 1985. Today, they are common on trucks and other heavy-duty vehicles, while coil springs have replaced their use in other vehicles. European cars may also employ torsion bars, which offer performance similar to coil springs. Air springs, one of the oldest designs still used, may also be found in your suspension system.

Shock Absorbers

The suspension system also incorporates shock absorbers, or dampers, which snub out unwanted spring motion and reduce vibration by turning kinetic energy into heat energy. It is then dissipated through hydraulic fluid. Shock absorbers work in two cycles – compression and extension. More resistance occurs during the extension cycle than the compression cycle. All modern dampers are velocity-sensitive, which means the faster the suspension system moves, the more resistance they provide.

Suspension Types

Vehicles can come with front or rear suspension systems. On a dependent front suspension system, there is a rigid front axle connecting the front wheels that is kept in place by leaf springs and shock absorbers. This type of system is normally found on trucks. An independent front suspension system lets the front wheels move independently, often with the shock absorber and coil spring combined into a single unit. Rear suspensions can also be dependent or independent, using coil or leaf springs in their design.

With so many different types of suspension systems and all the various components involved, it’s essential to trust only experienced mechanical technicians in Denton with your vehicle’s suspension package needs. Contact Spenser’s Quality Automotive today, by phone or online, to schedule a maintenance checkup or to discuss the possibility of replacing your current suspension system.