Car Suspension System works with Picture Chart. Car Suspension Problems with Estimated Life for Suspension Upgrade with Prices of Shocker, Mount, Lower Arm, Link Rod, Steering Rack
Car Suspension - Importance, Problems and Replacement
For any Car Enthusiast its 2 things which matters most
- Engine & Transmission
- Suspension
Ofcourse you derive Power Delivery Flow through Engine & Transmission but Handling Character of Car including Driving Dynamics, Comfort, Stability are derived thriugh Suspension Tune up.
Thus - Suspension plays a key role in determining how good or bad the car is in terms of drive, handling and comfort.
Front Suspension
As you see in the below chart - there are Coil Springs, Link Rod, Shockers, Lower Arm, Ball joints, Shafts which makes up the suspension
Rear Suspension
Basically, Suspension is like a Complete Shock Absorber System which through its frame not only provides a support to the car chassis but also saves body from bumps and provide drive comfort. Technically, its a combined effort from shock absorbers, coil springs, shafts, joints, link unit and many other parts to provide stability to the car. Suspension system of a car is connected to the wheels and follows underneath the surface of car body
With Roads been bad in upcountry locations in India or high height speed-breakers been built in city - a good suspension helps to drive with ease from these road hiccup barriers. A Car with Weak Suspension will tend to have
» Coarse Ride Quality,
» Bumpness on Driving even on Small Speed Breakers
» Increased Vibrations Level in Driving Car
» Sound from Underneath the Body Surface
» Steering Vibrations on Starting to Driving Car
Suspension Problems
As there are many Wear & Tear Parts in Suspension setup, its important to not to abuse the vehicle like
- Driving at Speed on 'Speed Breakers' which almost jumps the car
- Abuse in Suspension by driving at higher speed on Bad Patch Roads
- Skipping Wheel Alignment & Balancing beyond 15000 Kms
- Oversize Tyres by +2 Size or 5% or highr deviation in Tyre Circumference
It all ends up weakneing Car Suspension. Also - by not taking Care of
- Leaking Shockers
- Repairs of Bush, Mounts etc if broken
can end up with further impact on Suspension. So - irrespective of fact whether you have Alto or Audi - Suspension system of Car if Weakenes beyond a level due to Wear & Tear may require a complete overhaul causing excessive expenditure and may require overhaul in under 30,000 Kms even
But if maintained well - there is possibility that Suspension can go without any major work even till 1 Lakh Kms
Suspension Problems can well be there if there starts :-
- Sound from Car Underneath felt even when crossing small bad patch roads
- Drive becomes Wobble even at Speed
- Comfort of Seating tend gone and most of ride feels Stiff and Jittery
- Car starts bumping into low base speed breakers where it indicates the shockers have gone
- Any other problem impacting the drive quality, steering control and on sharp turns
- Any Noise from Suspension while on the move.
Suspension Overhaul Parts with Prices
Suspension Overhaul is generally done on Front - unless the car has Independent Rear Suspension and Costing is dependent on Parts getting Replaced :-
Minor Suspension Upgrade
- Front Both Lower Arm (aka Lower Control Arm or चिमटे in Hindi if you speak to local workshop) - Major Costing Component in Minor Suspension Overhaul. Rs 5000 to 7000 in Hatch, Rs 8000 to 15000 in Mid Sedan & Mid SUV Cars
- Front Both Link Rod (aka Stabilizer Link) - Costing is in range of Rs 2000 - 5000
- Front Shocker Mount or Shocker need replacement - A Play in (aka Loosened) Shocker and Mount only needs replacement - Both Front Shocker Mount can cost in range of Rs 3000 - 5000. While Front Shocker Set can cost in around Rs 7000 to 12000
- Ball Joints - Costing Rs 2000 to 3500 (Add on - Jumping Rod Bush - Rs 200 to 300)
- Labor Charges for Suspension Overhaul - Rs 3000 to 7000
Note: Above is Indicative Costing wherein Suspension Overhaul Cost would range in from 20000 to Rs 25000 (in most of Hatchback, Compact Sedan Cars), while around Rs 30000 to 50000 in Mid Sedan, Mid SUV Range. Do not miss to get Alignment done post Suspension Overhaul
Major Suspension Upgrade Items
Apart from Minor Overhaul - Additional Costs for Replacement of Shockers and Steering Rack Assembly - as part of Suspension Upgrade :-
- Front Both Shockers - In case Shockers (aka Dampeners) are at end of Life - Replacement of Each Shocker will cost in Rs 3500 to 6000. There are 2 Shockers in Front - So Total costing can go in range of Rs 7000 to 12000 (basis Manufacturer and Model Type)
- Engine Mounting (if Broken) - Rs 3500 to 6000 - else no need to replace
- Steering Rack Assembly - a Major Change. In most Likely cases - does not need replacement. Unless the Steering Vibrates a lot and has much play - then only consider for replacement. Cost goes as high as Rs 25000 in case of Mid Hatchback to Rs 50,000 for Mid Sedan & Mid SUV Car.
For same Suspension Upgrade in Luxury Range like BMW, Audi - Retrofit Kit (as Package) with Stabilizer Link will cost in range of Rs 2 to 3 Lakh.
After-Market Kits for Suspension
When going with Suspension Overhaul - ideally best to choose in OEM Brand Original Spare for Reliability, Compatibility and Peace of Mind Ownership.
However from aftermarket if due to any reason you seek to find alternative spare part maker then TRW is a Reputed Name Globally for Suspension Components. Check out for Original Lower Control Arm, Link Rod, Ball Joints and Mountings.
In terms of Domestic Brands - Talbros would tend to be economical - as prices are almost at 70% of what prices of TRW. Also, Reputed After Market Shocker Brands - Gabriel, Delphi, Monroe, TRW. They are Good and availability ranges for almost all cars been sold.
Suspension Kit: Another Reputed and Probably Expensive is Bilstein Suspension Kit - which will transform your Car into Top Notch Performance for long lasting Drive.
If your Car Suspension requires Overhaul (within first 4 yrs) and looking for Lifetime Warranty for 10 yrs or more with Top Notch Handling - check out Bilstein Suspension Kit (will cost 50000+).
