How Do Failed Suspension Struts Affect Your Land Rover?

Over the years, one of the major reasons Land Rovers have been a top choice for drivers is the excellent engineering work that goes into making the SUV sturdy, sophisticated, and well-balanced when driving through various terrains. A stand-out component responsible for this is the suspension strut.

The Land Rover suspension strut is connected to the car’s front wheel to absorb the impact of shock from road irregularities (bumps and potholes), support the SUV’s weight, maintain wheel alignment, and enhance the driver’s steering and stability.

Because the suspension strut plays an important role in your Land Rover, it is designed to last long. However, it is not immune to failure. When this happens, your SUV and its passengers are at a safety risk.

Causes of Failure in a Land Rover’s Suspension Strut

Like most components of your Land Rover, the impact of continued use and aging impedes the proper functioning of the suspension strut until it fails. Other causes of failure include:

1. Wear and Tear: Most commonly, the Land Rover suspension strut fails as a result of wear and tear. The longer you use your Land Rover, the more likely it is that the suspension strut will wear out. If you also enjoy taking frequent off-road trips, there is a high chance that your car’s suspension struts will wear out faster.
2. Overloading: Every vehicle has its specified weight limit as stated and recommended by the manufacturer. This helps to ensure safety on the road and comfort for all passengers. If you, however, frequently overload your car, you put additional stress on the suspension system and particularly the suspension struts, pushing it into an early grave of failure.
3. Rough Terrains and Driving Conditions: Yes, the Land Rover was designed to successfully navigate through rough roads and off-road terrains. However, frequently venturing off road, rushing into road bumps, and driving recklessly does harm to the suspension strut.
4. Corrosion: Corrosion is another major cause of suspension struts damage. The suspension system is mostly on the external part of your vehicle. Hence, it is usually exposed to various environmental conditions like moisture and road salts which cause corrosion. The accumulation of salt quickens the rusting process of the metallic part of the suspension strut, and in turn, leads to failure.
5. Hydraulic Fluid Leaks: The hydraulic fluid is important to enable suspension struts to perform their function of absorbing shock impact and providing a comfortable ride. However, when the seal holding in the hydraulic leak breaks, the fluid leaks, leading to rough riding and wearing out of suspension parts.

When your car’s suspension starts failing, there are various signs you will get to prompt you into repair actions. These signs include bouncing tires, car tipping while making a turn, irregular highway speed, uneven tire wear, and liquid leaks.

Effect of Failed Land Rover Suspension Struts

A failed suspension strut poses several negative effects, impacting safety and comfort. Some of these effects are:

• Increased Braking Distance: The Land Rover suspension strut helps keep the car tire in contact with the road. When it fails, your car will experience nose-diving while braking, thereby increasing stopping distance and causing compromised braking performance.
• Unbudgeted Expense on Repairs: In most cases, suspension strut failures are unexpected. This means that you have to use unplanned resources to fix the issue. In addition, its failure affects other parts of the car. For example, it causes uneven tire wear, resulting in loss of traction and frequent tire replacement.
• Steering Problems: Suspension strut failure causes issues with the car’s steering alignment. This makes your car lose its ability to keep to a straight path, requiring adjustment and potentially leading to collision with other drivers on the road.

You shouldn’t wait until your suspension strut fails completely before you take remedial measures. Once you start noticing signs of failure, you should take it to the nearest auto shop for repair.

The Best Automobile Specialists in Texas for Your Land Rover

Suspension problems in a car can be a big issue as it affects not only your comfort but also the balance and stability of your car. The best way to handle it is to find a professional who can repair any issue with the system.

At MW4 Outfitters, we believe that drivers should not be exposed to the horrors of having a defective car part. So, we take a holistic approach to giving our drivers and their cars the best auto service. If you are in Humble, TX, or around, call us today to learn more about our services and book your next service appointment with us.