Suspension performance in really cold

[Shannow]

Reading the threads on really cold starting, and operation in -30-40F (or C), saw a couple of comments on shocks and stuff.

Piqued my interest somewhat into how other things perform...e.g. -7C, my older pwoer steering systems get a bit cranky, but that's nothing compared to some poster's temperatures.

So how DO shocks and rubber bushings perform at -30C/F ?

 

[SwampSurvivor]

I have noticed stiffer suspension when it's cold.

Power steering is a bit strange. Both of my vehicles have hydraulic power steering. But when it's super cold, the Cherokee has ridiculously light steering, but it gets heavy when the fluid gets hot. The Focus has the opposite; almost no power steering when it's really cold but light when everything warms up.

 

[JHZR2]

Not that we get super cold, but the thing I notice down in the single negative digit Fahrenheit temperatures is some pretty crunchy bushings in some cases. I did find on one car that it was actually the struts causing some crunch...

 

[fdcg27]

I don't think that we've ever actually gotten to -30F here, but we see a few below zero mornings most winters.
In real cold, the suspension offers a noticeably stiff ride until things warm up.
You may hear unusual and atypical noises from various accessories driven by the engine, particularly the PS pump.
With a stick, shifting will typically be quite stiff until things warm up a bit.
All of this is aside from the slow cranking provided by the cold battery. Just when you start to think it isn't going to start, it does.
It's also rather amusing to drive for a few miles and then come to a stop and seeing the temperature gauge needle actually decline at idle.

 

[Garak]

Originally Posted By: Shannow
So how DO shocks and rubber bushings perform at -30C/F ?

That kind of weather will very often bring out and/or amplify every squeak, creak, and groan in the suspension. Many years back, I blew a ball joint on a -30 C night, too. That was not a fun evening.

 

[eljefino]

Worn shocks get "better".

We just finally got a spell of winter and wouldn't you know it, the frost heaves are out, on all the poorly constructed/ bedded roads around here. Combine with stiff struts and, blech.

 

[supton]

With funky steering, clutch, gearbox, engine; and while huddle on the steering wheel, waiting for heat... I've always just assumed the worse ride was the frost heaves.

Nothing seems quite right in cold weather.

 

[Inspecktor]

Old rayon belted tires used to flat spot when cold, felt like you had square tires for a mile or so.

 

[Rick in PA]

My car has gotten a bit "clunky" with the cold. I suspect the old rubber bushings in the control arms have let go. New control arms will be a spring project.

 

[andyd]

When it got cold, the rubber in the bug master cylinders would let go.

 

[MNgopher]

Every minor creak, groan, etc... is amplified. New sounds appear. My Cherokee I could tell exactly how cold it was by how "crunchy" sounding the front end was, mainly from the bushings. Nothing moves like it should - and the combination of frost heaving with suspension parts that don't want to move make for a rough ride. Not uncommon for tires to feel flat spotted for a bit too.

Just part of life (at least if you choose to live in this part of the world).

 

[KrisZ]

Originally Posted By: Garak
Originally Posted By: Shannow
So how DO shocks and rubber bushings perform at -30C/F ?

That kind of weather will very often bring out and/or amplify every squeak, creak, and groan in the suspension. Many years back, I blew a ball joint on a -30 C night, too. That was not a fun evening.


This is my experience as well. My failing ball joint started of only making noise when it was -15C or lower. Then as time went on I could hear it during summer as well.
Shocks and struts, in my experience don't become rock solid, maybe a little stiffer, but it is hard to tell since at these temps I'm taking it easy until everything warms up.

 

[01rangerxl]

My 2002 Ranger has developed a very faint shudder in the power steering when cold and ambient temps are low, and only when backing out of angled one-way parking spots. I've noticed it for a couple years now. It doesn't bother me yet. It has polyurethane sway bar bushings that sometimes squeak in the cold, but other than that the suspension behaves pretty much the same as when it is warm.

My 1994 Ranger has a different suspension that relies on large radius arm bushings. It also has mud tires. That truck is noticeably "choppy" for the first couple of miles when cold.

 

[Donald]

I have Bilstein shocks on my Jeep and when its really cold, the ride is pretty bad, banging over potholes and bumps.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: Shannow
Reading the threads on really cold starting, and operation in -30-40F (or C), saw a couple of comments on shocks and stuff.

Piqued my interest somewhat into how other things perform...e.g. -7C, my older pwoer steering systems get a bit cranky, but that's nothing compared to some poster's temperatures.

So how DO shocks and rubber bushings perform at -30C/F ?


It completely depends on the vehicle. The Expedition seems to behave pretty normally quite frankly. The only issues I have with it at those temps is are a slower crank if I don't have a 0w-xx in the sump and the power steering pump groans on first start. Otherwise, it drives just fine. Keep in mind, it has the original starter with just shy of 300,000Km on it.

The '06 Charger cranks a bit slow, even with a new battery and 0w-20 in it. However it always fires up fine. No weird noises other than a few chirps from the HVAC but the ride is hard and the steering is goofy (chunky) for the first bit until the fluid warms up. I'm going to change it for M1 ATF or AMSOIL ATF, which is what I run in the Expedition and see if it makes a difference.

 

[widman]

Oil filled shocks and power steering will get sluggish with colder weather. The oil gets thicker. How much depends on what is in there.
The electric/hydraulic systems generally use an oil with a VI over 300, so the curve is fairly flat. A typical ATF is around 190.
Motorcycles use the >300 VI oils in the forks, although I've seen them refilled with 100 VI which is real stiff for the first few km.

 

[zzyzzx]

I once had a leaking strut that got water in it. It was frozen when it was cold enough. I replaced that pretty quickly.