What is excessive bouncing?
When the vehicle is in good condition, the suspension absorbs the shock of uneven terrain or speed bumps, allowing the tyres to remain in contact with the road. After hitting a bump, the vehicle must stabilise immediately.
However, if your car bounces repeatedly or settles slowly, the suspension is not functioning properly. This occurs when units such as shock absorbers, struts, or springs have worn out or are damaged.
A bouncing car is not only unpleasant but also unsafe, as it compromises tyre grip, braking distance, and the wear of tyres and other components.
How the suspension system works
To understand why your car springs so much, it is a good idea to understand how the suspension system functions.
The suspension system consists of shock absorbers, struts, coil springs, control arms, and bushings. These components cooperate to absorb bumps and maintain stability.
• Springs carry the weight of the car and absorb impact.
• Shock absorbers regulate the rate at which the springs compress and rebound.
• Struts integrate the shock function and suspension system support.
When these parts become worn out or malfunction, the system is no longer able to regulate movement effectively, resulting in repeated bouncing even on minor bumps.
Main causes of excessive bouncing on speed breakers
Here are the most common reasons why your car might bounce more than usual after crossing a speed breaker or uneven road.
1. Worn-out shock absorbers
Shock absorbers are the most common cause of excessive bouncing. They prevent your car from continuously bouncing after a bump. Over time, they lose hydraulic fluid or develop internal wear, which reduces their ability to control suspension movement.
Symptoms of worn shocks:
• The car bounces several times after hitting a speed breaker
• Nose dives when braking
• Uneven tyre wear (cupping pattern)
• Oily or leaking shocks
Fix:
Replace worn shock absorbers in pairs (either both front or both rear). This ensures balance and stability. Always use good-quality parts recommended for your car.
2. Weak or broken coil springs
The coil springs hold up the weight of your car and compress when you hit a bump. If a spring is weak, sagging, or broken, it can’t absorb shocks properly. This leads to poor stability and excessive bouncing.
Signs of weak springs:
• The car sits lower on one side
• Clunking noise over bumps
• Uneven tyre wear
• Bumpy or floating ride
Fix:
Replace damaged or worn springs. Always replace springs in pairs to maintain even height and balance.
3. Damaged or leaking struts
Struts combine the function of shocks and suspension support. If a strut leaks or its internal valves fail, it can’t dampen movement properly, causing the car to bounce or sway excessively.
Fix:
Inspect for oil leaks or rust around the strut area. Replace any faulty strut and perform a wheel alignment after replacement to prevent uneven tyre wear.
4. Worn suspension bushings
Bushings are small rubber parts that cushion the joints between suspension components. When they wear out, the suspension becomes loose, making the car feel unstable and bouncy, especially over speed breakers.
Fix:
Replace worn or cracked bushings with new ones. Polyurethane bushings can last longer than regular rubber ones.
5. Faulty ball joints or control arms
Ball joints and control arms keep your wheels aligned and stable. If they are loose, damaged, or worn, your suspension loses its firmness, leading to bouncing, clunking noises, and uneven steering response.
Fix:
Inspect for play or looseness in ball joints or control arms and replace them if necessary. Proper alignment should follow any replacement.
6. Incorrect tyre pressure
Sometimes the issue isn’t suspension at all but tyre pressure. If your tyres are over-inflated, they become hard and can’t absorb shocks, causing more bounce. If they’re under-inflated, they can flex too much and make the ride wobbly.
Fix:
Check and adjust tyre pressure according to the manufacturer’s recommendation (usually around 30–35 PSI for most cars).
7. Worn or uneven tyres
Old or unevenly worn tyres can’t maintain proper road grip. When combined with a bump or speed breaker, they exaggerate the bounce or make the ride unstable.
Fix:
Inspect tyres for bald spots, uneven wear, or cracks. Rotate, balance, or replace them as needed. Proper tyre maintenance also improves fuel efficiency and safety.
8. Broken suspension mounts
The suspension mounts hold the shocks or struts to the car body. If they break or wear out, you’ll hear rattling or clunking noises, and the car will feel bouncy or loose when driving over bumps.
Fix:
Replace damaged mounts immediately. Ignoring them can cause further damage to shocks or even the suspension frame.
9. Overloaded vehicle
If your car carries more weight than it’s designed for, like heavy luggage or multiple passengers, the suspension compresses more than usual, reducing its ability to absorb shocks and increasing bouncing.
Fix:
Avoid overloading your car. Check your car’s manual for the maximum load capacity and stay within that limit.
10. Worn or leaking suspension fluid
In hydraulic suspensions or modern adaptive suspension systems, a loss of fluid can reduce damping ability. This can cause your car to bounce excessively after even minor bumps.
Fix:
Check for any visible fluid leaks around suspension parts and get the system inspected by a mechanic.
How to test if the suspension is causing the bounce
Here’s a simple test you can do at home, called the bounce test:
1. Park your car on a flat surface.
2. Push down hard on the bonnet or boot (rear end).
3. Release it suddenly.
4. Watch how the car reacts.
If the car bounces more than twice before settling, your shocks or struts are likely worn out and need replacement.
What are the dangers of driving with a bouncy suspension
Driving with an overly bouncy car is unsafe. Here’s why you should never ignore it:
• Reduced braking control: Tyres can lose contact with the road, especially during emergency braking.
• Increased tyre wear: Uneven tyre contact leads to faster tread wear.
• Poor handling: The Car sways more while cornering, increasing the risk of losing control.
• Strain on other parts: Suspension problems can damage steering components, bearings, and mounts.
• Passenger discomfort: Long drives become tiring and unpleasant.
It’s best to fix the issue as soon as you notice it, rather than waiting for it to worsen.
How to fix excessive bouncing
The exact repair depends on what’s causing the bounce, but here’s what most mechanics do:
1. Inspect shocks, struts, and springs – check for leaks, rust, or sagging.
2. Check suspension bushings and ball joints – replace worn ones.
3. Inspect tyres – ensure correct pressure, alignment, and condition.
4. Balance and align wheels – to improve stability and prevent further wear.
5. Test drive – to confirm the suspension feels firm and controlled.
If your car still feels bouncy after all this, there may be deeper suspension damage that requires professional assessment. Our ACKO Drive service centres test and replace faulty suspension parts to restore stability. You’ll notice an immediate improvement in comfort and control. You can book a service slot online through the ACKO app or the ACKO Drive website, and we will take care of the rest.
How to prevent excessive bouncing
To prevent suspension issues and have a smooth ride, keep these habits:
• Have your suspension system serviced every 20,000–30,000 km.
• Change shock absorbers every 60,000–80,000 km, depending on road conditions.
• Steer clear of potholes, bad roads, or speed breakers at high speed.
• Regularly check tyre pressure and alignment.
• Change worn bushings, mounts, or springs immediately.
• Don't overload the car.
• Have your suspension checked if you experience any knocking or clunking sounds.
Regular maintenance keeps your car comfortable, safe, and fuel-efficient.
Final words
If your car is bouncing excessively over speed bumps, then it is most likely due to worn-out shocks, loose springs, or ruptured mounts. Neglecting it can compromise comfort, road holding, and safety. Fix your car’s suspension at an early stage to prevent more serious issues and ensure a smooth, stable ride.
Frequently asked questions
