Auto 09 - The Suspension Is Killing Me!

Keeping the steering geometry functioning while the wheel assembly moves around requires a tough but flexible connection - a ball and socket joint like the ones that allow your legs to move is a good choice of pivoting joint.

The direction the vehicle is traveling ithe job of the steering system, which has to work with the suspension system.

Any more than one or two bounces shows that the shock absorbers aren't doing their job.

Air bags are still used in some commercial trucks, but not for any current passenger vehicle.

100 is considered and average rating, 175 is better, 65 is worse.

Worn sway bar bushings will let the sway bar rattle around in its mount, causing clunking sounds.

The last letter "R" means radial construction, and the last number "18" tells the diameter of the rims the tire is meant to be mounted on.

Twice a year approximately (average annual driving is about 20 000 km). About every second or third oil change.

Shock absorbers dampen the shocks (rather than absorb them - the springs do that) by making gasses pass through tiny holes to slow down bouncing.

The "/25" part of the code tells you that the sidewall height is 25% of the tread width (25% x 215 = 54 mm)