Why is My SUV so Bouncy?
While movies and music videos may make a bouncy SUV ride seem fun and thrilling, in real life, it is anything but. If you are constantly hitting stop and go traffic, or if your commute is more city than highway then a bouncy SUV is a very annoying problem.
Luckily, there are some quick and easy ways to tell what is causing your SUV to be so bouncy. Usually, these issues can be caught early on by your local auto mechanic, so be sure to keep up to date with your SUVs routine checkups.
Let’s get started!
Top Reasons Why Your SUV is Bouncy
| Common Reasons Why Your SUV is Bouncy |
|---|
| Steering Issues |
| Tire Issues |
| Suspension Issues |
Check your SUV Steering: Is it too loose or too tight?
When it comes to reasons why your SUV is so bouncy, one of the top reasons could be your steering system.
To put it simply, your SUV’s steering system controls where the wheels and tires turn. This is important because without a properly functioning steering system, then you will not be able to stabilize your SUV while on the road.
Can you imagine making a right, left, or U-turn while turning your steering wheel but your tires do not move? Not only is that quite scary, but it is also very dangerous.
This is why having your steering system in top-notch condition is crucial for the safety of yourself and other drivers on the road.
With that said, if your SUV bounces or seems to “sway” to one side or another while you are turning your wheel, then the issue could lay within one of the elements in the sterling linkage.
This means that the rack bushing in your SUV could be very loose or on the opposite end of the spectrum, very stiff. Both of these situations are not ideal because having the rack bushing be either too loose or too light, will automatically cause an unstable ride.
This means that your bouncy ride is due to some loose or very tight bushings.
This issue can be easily fixed with some proper maintenance checks. If you get regular vehicle alignments at your local auto mechanic, then you will not have this issue.
By getting your SUV checked out for regular vehicle alignments, it will catch the problem before it starts to affect your steering system.
Usually, these issues will get worse with them, so we highly suggest you keep up with your routine maintenance checkups. Sometimes, your auto mechanic will be able to catch the problem before it becomes too severe.
Check your SUV Tires: Should You Patch it Up or is it Time for a Change?
Your tires are very important and when they are not working properly, it shows and it shows very quickly.
A damaged tire is nothing to take lightly, and even those who do not drive know this.
Tires are a bit trickier because there are four of them, which means it will take four times as long to identify which tire is the corporate.
Or if you are really unlucky, it could be more than one. Replacing tires is not inexpensive, but they are necessary for the safety of yourself and those other drivers and/or pedestrians on the road.
Your tires could be: misaligned, overinflated, flat, or improperly secured. All of these reasons could cause your SUV to feel bumpy and unstable and cause annoyance for your daily commute.
However, the good news is that these problems are easily fixable.
A good rule of thumb is to never over-inflate your tires. Of course, we all know that an inflated tire or a flat tire as it is more commonly known is never a good thing. However, the opposite is true. While it may seem like common sense, there have been instances where drivers would overcompensate by putting in more air than necessary in their tires.
If you find that your tires are starting to look and feel a little flat, check to see if there are any nails in them. Oftentimes, loose nails on the road could be the cause of flat tires. That or small shards of glass.
If this is the case, then your tire or tires could be saved after all. If the tear is small enough, you do not need to replace your entire tire. Instead, your local auto mechanic will simply patch it up and it will be as good as new.
However, if the damage is done, then your auto mechanic will suggest that you simply get a new tire.
Another reason could be that it is time for you to get your tires replaced. Tires that are worn out are not only dangerous but they can also cause an off-balance to your vehicle.
It will be easy for your auto mechanic to let you know whether or not it is time to change your tires, and while they may be expensive, it is really for your own good.
If you do not want to buy an entirely new tire, then some local auto mechanic shops do sell slightly used tires for a significantly lower price.
Do keep in mind that not all auto shops offer this service, but most of them should. Be sure to give the auto shop a call before you drop in to save yourself the trouble and the drive-through.
Check your SUV Suspension: Do Not Overlook this Step
Most drivers do not think about their SUVs suspensions often but your vehicle’s suspension is extremely important. If your vehicle’s suspension is not working properly, then you are in for some trouble.
This is because your SUV’s suspension is literally what keeps your tires in contact with the road.
A smooth ride is all thanks to the good suspension.
When the suspension is off, you will notice it right away. This is because your vehicle’s suspension is the main contributor to your smooth and safe ride. When the suspension is off, you will notice it right away. This is because when the suspension is off, there will be a sudden but very drastic turn in how your car drives.
When the suspension in your SUV is off, it can feel as if your vehicle is titling or leaning towards one side more than the other. It will feel unbalanced and in turn, make you feel uneasy. You will notice this when you are making turns but it is also obvious when you are driving straight as well.
Another way to tell if your vehicle’s suspension is off is if it begins to bounce or vibrate uncontrollably when you are driving over potholes or bumps. Sometimes those bumps are just small speed bumps but it still feels as if your car is going over something much bigger.
If you find that the issue lies within your vehicle’s suspension, then it could be due to damage: ball joints, sway bar, springs or shock absorbers.
Since there are many variations/reasons why certain parts are not working properly within your vehicle’s suspension, it is best to bring it to your local auto mechanic to have him or she have a look at your vehicle.
The Takeaway
While there are so many other problems that need immediate attention when it comes to your SUV, it does not mean that a bouncy SUV is not annoying.
If you are someone that is in your car more often than you are out of it, then it is understandable why this would bother you.
More to Consider | Questions to Ask Yourself
Can you imagine sitting in full-stop traffic while your car continues to bounce for an entire hour? Right, very annoying.
Fortunately, this is a quick-fix problem. Contact your local auto mechanic and tell him or her about this, and do keep track of when it starts to happen.
- Does your car only bounce when you drive over certain terrains?
- Does your car only bounce when the weather is too hot? Or if the weather is too cold?
- What about rainy climates or sunny ones?
- Did you change anything to your car lately? Any add-on features? Or maybe you changed something or took it away?
- Have you gotten into a car accident lately?
- When was the last time you got your tires changed or looked at?
- Did you drive through any rocky terrains lately?
- Did you drive through any area with loose nails or broken glass lately?
- Have you let anyone borrow your car lately? Maybe this person can tell you something about your SUV while he/she was driving it that you may not have known.
We hope you found this article helpful and were able to diagnose on your own, the reason why your SUV is so bouncy.
If after reading this article you are still not able to figure out the problem, then please consider contacting your local auto mechanic. He or she should be able to tell you what is wrong right away and he or she will also be able to offer reasonable solutions.