🛞 Can Worn Suspension Affect Braking Distance? (Yes – Here’s How)
🛞 Can Worn Suspension Affect Braking Distance? (Yes – Here’s How)
By Andrews Car Centre – Suspension & Brake Specialists in Lincoln
When you think of braking performance, you probably think of brake pads, discs, and maybe tyres. But there's one major component most drivers overlook:
Your suspension.
At Andrews Car Centre in Lincoln, we often see customers with increased braking distances or MOT failures caused not by worn brakes — but by failing suspension parts.
Here’s how your suspension directly affects your ability to stop safely, and what to do if something feels off.
🧰 What Does Your Suspension Actually Do?
Your car’s suspension system (shocks, struts, springs, and control arms) isn’t just there to make the ride comfortable — it also:
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Keeps your tyres in firm contact with the road
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Helps the car stay stable and level under braking
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Reduces nose-diving during hard stops
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Improves handling and traction in emergency situations
So, if your suspension is worn or failing, your car might not respond properly when braking hard — especially in the wet.
🚨 How Suspension Affects Braking Distance
Worn shocks or struts can:
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Allow the car to dip forward when braking, shifting weight away from the rear tyres
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Cause uneven tyre contact, reducing grip
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Lead to ABS kicking in early, even if brakes are fine
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Increase stopping distance, particularly at high speed
Studies show that worn shocks can increase braking distance by up to 20% at motorway speeds.
⚠️ Warning Signs Your Suspension May Be Affecting Your Brakes
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🚧 Car nose-dives under braking
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🛞 Bouncy or unstable ride
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🔊 Knocking or clunking over bumps
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❌ Braking feels uneven or less effective
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🔍 Uneven tyre wear (inner or outer edges)
These are common issues we see during MOT failures and suspension checks in our Lincoln garage.
🧪 What We Do at Andrews Car Centre
We carry out full suspension and braking system checks, including:
✅ Shock absorber and spring inspection
✅ Suspension bush and joint checks
✅ Brake balance testing
✅ MOT and pre-MOT safety checks
✅ Honest, no-obligation quotes
We use OE-spec parts, and our trained technicians can repair suspension on all makes and models, including EVs and hybrids.
📍 Book a Suspension or Brake Check in Lincoln
If your car feels unstable, dips when braking, or just doesn’t feel right — don’t take chances. Book in for a suspension and brake safety check today.
👉 Call Andrews Car Centre, book online, or visit our Dixon Street workshop in Lincoln.
✅ Transparent pricing
✅ Fast, trusted local service
✅ MOTs, suspension, and brakes all under one roof
🔍 Related Searches We Help With:
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Suspension repairs Lincoln
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Brake check near me