The Vehicle Bounce Test
Things To Know About Uneven Tire Tread
M1 Auto Repair in West Jordan, UT, asks their customers to perform the bounce test for tire tread wear. With the car in park, press down on the front of the vehicle several times with all your weight. Does it bounce once, twice, or three times? If it bounces more than once, your suspension may require some repair. Do the same procedure at the rear of the vehicle. If you notice multiple bounces, it's time to head over to M1 Auto Repair. The bounce test can identify if a vehicle's suspension is damaged, needs shocks, struts, or a component of the suspension system repaired.
The suspension connects the vehicle's body to the road through your tires and assists with steering the car. The common types of suspension systems include dependent, independent, and double wishbone. Plus, a suspension system is composed of components, like shock absorbers, struts, and bushings that can wear out with high mileage driving and time. Uneven tire wear, known as patchy wear or cupping, can be related to a damaged suspension. With tire cupping, the tire will not roll smoothly on the road. It rolls with a little bounce. The bouncing creates uneven points on the tires leading to tire cupping.
The suspension also includes a hub carrier, wheel hub, track rod end, upper swivel joint, steering tie rod, spring/ damper unit, and anti-roll bar mounting. Each component piece is responsible for an important role, assisting the tires in making proper contact with the road.
When the suspension isn't holding the vehicle evenly, it may be causing uneven tire wear. This suspension failure puts irregular force pressures on other, less important tire tread areas. This results from uneven wear on the tire's treads, which depletes the tire of life. Key signs are shocks or struts being worn out.
When the suspension is not performing usually, the vehicle may pull to the side, causing the tires to compensate for the force pressures. Portions of the tire tread are receiving uneven pressure and negating what the tire is designed to do, roll smoothly on the center of the tread.
When your suspension system is damaged, your vehicle's tires won't make proper contact with the road. This causes uneven tire tread and can damage critical components. The tires release contact from the road, causing you to lose control of the vehicle. In poor weather conditions, a damaged suspension system could lead to hydroplaning. If you have any concerns about a failing bounce test or want to speak to one of our suspension specialists, drop by anytime. We're happy to assist with limiting the number of times you bounce on the road. Give us a call at 801-878-9455 or visit us at 7586 S Redwood Road West Jordan, UT 84084.