Peugeot Van Suspension Problem
Peugeot Van Suspension Problem
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Peugeot Van Suspension Problem
After enjoying my summer break, it was good to get back to Pellon Tyre and Autocentre and find the garage still as busy as ever. The workshop was soon filled with the usual mixture of cars, vans, tyres, brakes, MOT tests and servicing work.
One of the vehicles presented to us was a Peugeot van with a suspension problem. Like many commercial vehicles around Halifax and Calderdale, this van spends most of its working life making deliveries. Consequently, it needs to be dependable because every hour off the road can cost its owner money.
Our mechanic Ethan took charge of the job and carried out a thorough inspection of the van’s front suspension. He soon discovered that both front suspension struts had failed. The seals inside the struts had deteriorated, allowing the hydraulic fluid to leak out.
Once a strut loses its fluid, it can no longer control the movement of the suspension correctly. The solution was to replace the worn front struts. After the work had been completed, the Peugeot was ready to return to its delivery rounds across the Halifax district.
Peugeot Vans Have Been Popular in Britain for Many Years
Peugeot vans are a familiar sight on British roads. Models such as the Peugeot Partner, Expert and Boxer have been used by thousands of businesses across the country.
The smaller Partner is particularly popular with local tradespeople, delivery drivers and companies that need a practical van without moving up to a much larger commercial vehicle. The Expert covers the medium-sized part of the market, while the larger Boxer is commonly used for heavier loads, removals, building work and larger delivery rounds.
Here in Halifax, we see plenty of Peugeot vans being used by electricians, plumbers, builders, catering companies and parcel delivery firms. They are practical vehicles, but their suspension systems have to work extremely hard.
This is especially true around Calderdale. Our area is well known for its hills, uneven roads, speed humps and potholes. A fully loaded delivery van travelling around Halifax, Sowerby Bridge, Elland, Brighouse and Hebden Bridge can put considerably more pressure on its suspension than a lightly used family car.
What Is a Suspension Strut? Peugeot Van Suspension Problem
The suspension strut is one of the most important parts of a vehicle’s suspension system. On many vans and cars, the front suspension uses a type of design commonly known as a MacPherson strut.
The strut forms a structural part of the suspension. It helps support and locate the wheel while also controlling its upward and downward movement. A suspension spring carries the weight of the vehicle, while the damper inside the strut controls the spring’s movement.
Without a working damper, the spring would continue bouncing after the wheel passed over a bump. The strut slows and controls this movement, keeping the tyre in better contact with the road.
Inside the strut is a piston which moves through hydraulic fluid. As the suspension travels up and down, the fluid passes through small valves. This resistance controls the movement of the suspension and prevents excessive bouncing.
It is a fairly simple idea, but it plays a huge part in the vehicle’s handling, braking and overall stability.
Why Do Suspension Struts Leak?
One of the most common reasons for a strut to fail is deterioration of the seal around the piston rod.
The piston rod moves in and out of the strut thousands of times during a normal journey. Over the years, the seal naturally wears. Dirt, road salt, corrosion and damage to the polished piston rod can all make matters worse.
Once the seal begins to fail, the hydraulic fluid starts leaking from the strut. A small amount of surface misting does not always mean that a strut has completely failed. However, obvious wetness or fluid running down the body of the strut is a strong indication that it is no longer operating properly.
The Peugeot van brought into our Halifax garage had reached this stage. The seals had failed and the fluid had escaped, meaning the struts could no longer damp the suspension movement effectively.
Other reasons for early strut failure can include:
- Regularly carrying heavy loads
- Driving over potholes and damaged road surfaces
- Hitting kerbs or speed humps too quickly
- Corrosion caused by water and road salt
- Damage to the piston rod
- General wear caused by high mileage
- Worn top mounts, springs or other suspension components
Commercial vans can be particularly hard on their suspension because they often operate while heavily loaded. Many also spend their days stopping, starting and climbing kerbs while making deliveries.
What Are the Signs of Worn Front Struts? Peugeot Van Suspension Problem
Suspension struts usually deteriorate gradually. Because the change happens over a long period, a driver may become used to the way the vehicle feels and fail to notice that something is wrong.
One possible symptom is excessive bouncing after travelling over a bump. The front of the vehicle may continue moving up and down instead of settling quickly.
Other warning signs can include knocking noises from the front suspension, excessive body movement when cornering, uneven tyre wear and the front of the vehicle dipping heavily under braking.
Drivers might also notice that the steering feels less precise, particularly on uneven roads. In windy conditions or when being passed by a large lorry, a van with worn suspension may feel less stable than it should.
A visible fluid leak from the strut is another clear warning sign. However, this is often discovered during a service, an MOT preparation check or an inspection for another problem.
Worn Struts Can Affect Braking and Tyre Wear
Many drivers think suspension is only there to make a vehicle comfortable. In reality, it is an important safety system.
The tyres need to remain in contact with the road to provide steering and braking grip. If a worn strut allows the wheel to bounce, the tyre may not maintain consistent contact with the road surface.
This can affect the vehicle’s stability and potentially increase its stopping distance, especially on wet or uneven roads. It can also contribute to irregular tyre wear because the tyre is not being held firmly against the road.
On a delivery van carrying tools, parcels or other goods, good suspension control is especially important. The additional weight changes the way the vehicle handles and places greater demands on the tyres, brakes and suspension.
This is why a leaking strut should never be ignored for too long.
Replacing the Peugeot Van’s Front Struts: Peugeot Van Suspension Problem
Once Ethan had identified the problem, the damaged front struts were removed and replaced.
Struts on the same axle are normally replaced as a pair. If one has failed through age and mileage, the other will usually have experienced similar wear. Replacing both sides also helps keep the suspension balanced.
When this type of work is carried out, the surrounding components should also be examined. These can include the coil springs, top mounts, bump stops, protective gaiters and suspension links. There is little point fitting new struts while ignoring another worn component in the same area.
Suspension work must always be carried out carefully because the coil spring is held under considerable tension. Specialist spring-compressing equipment and proper working procedures are essential.
After the repairs were completed, the Peugeot van was ready to leave our Halifax workshop and return to its delivery work.
Halifax Roads Can Be Hard on Van Suspension
Calderdale is a wonderful part of Yorkshire, but nobody could describe all our roads as smooth. We have steep hills, tight bends, old stone-lined streets and more than our fair share of potholes.
Delivery vans often travel these roads every day while carrying a substantial load. Over time, this constant punishment can take its toll on suspension components.
Drivers can help by slowing down for potholes and speed humps, avoiding overloading and having unusual knocks or handling problems inspected promptly. Correct tyre pressures are also important, particularly on a working van.
Regular servicing gives a garage the opportunity to inspect the suspension before a small problem develops into something more serious. Catching a leaking strut early can help prevent damage to tyres and other suspension parts.
Peugeot Van Suspension Repairs at Pellon Autocentre: Peugeot Van Suspension Problem
At Pellon Tyre and Autocentre, we have looked after cars and commercial vehicles in Halifax since 1989. We understand how important vans are to local businesses and self-employed tradespeople.
A van is often much more than a means of transport. It can be a workshop, a store room and an essential part of earning a living. Getting it repaired properly and back on the road as quickly as possible is therefore extremely important.
As I have always said, we never carry out work unless it needs doing. In this case, the failed and leaking front struts clearly needed replacing. Ethan completed the repair, and the Peugeot was soon back on the roads of Halifax, doing what vans do best and keeping another local business moving.