The rear suspension system of your Sprinter van is a critical part of vehicle since it contributes to the vehicle’s stability and balance, ride comfort and the vehicle’s ability to carry load. As a result, whether you own a commercial delivery vehicle or a recreational mobile camper – it is crucial to have a reliable rear suspension system. Not only does it improve the driving experience, but it also increases the life of the vehicle.
Maintaining your Sprinter Van’s suspension, or even upgrading or replacing it if its worn out is something you will likely face as you van ages. It’s not a big deal however as specialist Sprinter shops like ours are adept at servicing and maintaining van suspensions.
Let us take you through how to make sure that your Sprinter’s rear suspension is in optimal condition for what ever you have in mind for your van!
Understanding Rear Suspension
The rear suspension of a Sprinter van consist of shock absorbers, springs and bushings among other parts. All of these components function to 1) absorb and reduce shock, 2) ensure proper wheel tracking and 3) to provide structural support for the van. A good rear suspension system is one that makes the van stable and easily maneuverable whether it is on the road or carrying a load and is tuned for the road conditions that you are likely to face. For example city driving with heavy loads require a different suspension setup to off roading as a camper or delivery van.
Indications You Require a New Rear Suspension for Your Sprinter
It’s important to knowing when your Sprinter rear suspension needs attention. And making sure that you address issues early is important to maintain the vehicle’s performance and longevity. Here are some signs that it might be time to consider maintenance or an upgrade:
•Unusual Noises: Rustling noises, rattle or knocks from the back of the van could be a sign of worn out or faulty suspension system.
•Decreased Handling and Increased Body Roll: If you feel your Sprinter rolling or swaying when cornering or if it becomes less stable when the weather is windy, then, most likely, the suspension is worn out.
•Sagging Rear End: A rear end that droops when loaded or is lower than normal on the ground is an indication of weak springs.
•Frequent Bottoming Out: If your van bounces and hits bumps very hard or bottoms out, it means that the shock absorbers may be defective.
How to Select the Best Suspension Kit
People use Sprinter vans for lots of different applications and this should drive your choice of suspension tuning, setup or upgrade. Whether you are a commercial can owner or a Vanlife road warrior, each scenario demands different features from a suspension system:
Vanlife Sprinter Owners:
For those who have transformed their Sprinter into a mobile home, comfort is of essence especially when driving on both on and off road conditions or when living in the van fully. An adjustable suspension kit might be just the thing, since it facilitates changes in the suspension stiffness, as well as height, which would be helpful for carrying different loads and providing better shock absorption on bad roads. Those upgrades that are directed to the shock absorption and stability can make a huge difference in the comfort of living in a van, decreasing the motion and rocking inside.
Commercial Van Owners:
Some of the commercial vehicles that use sprinters in their design have to transport bulky items and this means the suspension system has to be able to support additional weight without altering the response of the vehicle to the road. The heavy-duty suspension kits are used to enhance the load carrying capacity of the vehicle, to avoid the sagging of the vehicle and to maintain the height of the vehicle. Powered by enhanced springs and strong shock absorbers, the van maintains its stability and keeps a good performance on starting, stopping, and driving long hours.
In both cases, it is necessary to take into account the conditions under which the van will work. Those environments that involve many stops and starts could be improved by fast-recovering and relatively low-wearing suspensions, while rural or mixed conditions would require long-travel suspensions that afford greater ground clearance and more flexibility. Knowing the major use of your Sprinter and the environment it will be used in, it is easier to identify a suspension kit that will improve the performance of the vehicle and your experience whether it is for business or for fun.
Why You Should Use a Professional
It is recommended to have a professional install the new rear suspension on your Sprinter, and this is for good reason. It is for this reason that professional mechanics are able to offer the customer the level of experience and accuracy that is not easily found in a do it yourself installation. People like us, have been fixing, servicing and maintaining for more than two decades. Sprinter vans and we know that every part of the Sprinter suspension system and we use special tools to make sure that all parts are put in right and working at its best. This is important for two major reasons; firstly to ensure that the new suspension delivers its potential and secondly to prevent costly mistakes that may be made during the installation process and which could jeopardize the safety of the vehicle. Let’s look at the major benefits of why it is better to delegate this work to the professionals.
- Expertise: Suspension systems are not easy to work with and that is why professional mechanics are called to do the job. They also take proper care that each unit is correctly positioned and connected in the right manner.
- Safety: Improper installation may pose great dangers. That is why specialists employ appropriate equipment and guidelines to guarantee the stability and safety of the suspension system.
- Warranty and Support: Most service centers provide warranty on the parts and the labor which is done to your car. Professional installation also means that you will have someone to turn to in case of any problems after the upgrade.
Some Tips to Help You Take Care of Your New Rear Suspension
After you’ve decided to upgrade your Sprinter van rear suspension you should try to stick to the regular maintenance schedule to get the most out of your investment. Not only does this increase the durability of the suspension components but it also helps to retain the comfort and load carrying ability that is characteristic of good suspension systems. Below we present important recommendations that will help you maintain the rear suspension of your Sprinter and guarantee that this part of the car is always as efficient as it can be.
- Regular Suspension Inspections: It’s advisable to have your suspension inspected by a professional when you are having your car undergo general maintenance checks.
- Suspension Cleaning: The suspension components should be clean and free from dirt and other forms of debris as this will reduce the overall life of the components.
- Monitoring for Wear: Pay attention to the symptoms like the oil dripping from the shock absorbers or the change in the ride comfort which may suggest that certain components require replacement.
Improving the rear suspension of your Sprinter van is a great way to ensure that your van lasts longer and works well. If you get the right parts and have them installed by a professional, you can get better handling, safety and comfort. This is not only going to make your Sprinter prepared to face the tough driving conditions but also it will make sure that your Sprinter will serve you as a good work van or even a reliable traveling companion for quite a long period of time.
If you are thinking about having a rear suspension upgrade for your Sprinter, then do not hesitate to call us at Sprinter Service Pros. Our team of professionals is always on hand to offer you a consultation and professional installation services. Come into our service center or contact us to set up an appointment to make sure your Sprinter van is running its best.
