What to Do When a Car Sways Left and Right Over Speed Bumps?
2 Answers
For vehicles with softer suspensions and lower body heights (such as sports cars), passing over speed bumps too quickly can more easily scrape the undercarriage, causing greater damage. To reduce the sensation of bumpiness, many drivers choose to maneuver one side of the tires around the gap to pass over the speed bump, using only the other side's tires to go over. This method will cause the alignment of one front wheel to deviate significantly more than the other side, impacting the tires, suspension, and steering gear, leading to long-term damage to the vehicle. When a vehicle passes over a speed bump vertically, the sensation of bumping and bouncing is more pronounced. Passing over at an angle reduces the bouncing sensation but increases the swaying amplitude.
I've been driving for decades and have encountered the issue of car shaking over speed bumps quite a few times. This is usually related to aging suspension systems, such as shock absorber oil leakage failure or loose suspension arm bushings. Shock absorbers serve as buffers - when they fail, the car body shakes severely; loose suspension is even worse, affecting handling safety. I recommend starting with simple checks: ensure all four tires have consistent pressure at the recommended value, and slow down to about 20km/h when crossing speed bumps, maintaining a steady speed. For DIY inspection: use a jack to lift the car body, shake the tires to listen for abnormal noises (like loose ball joints or bearings), and check shock absorbers for oil stains - they're good if the car quickly rebounds when pressed down, but need replacement if it bounces multiple times. Don't delay repairs - shaking not only causes uncomfortable bumps but also wears tires and increases fuel consumption, potentially affecting steering control over time. During regular maintenance, have technicians pay attention to suspension health. Safety comes first - fix any issues promptly when discovered.
