Experiment No:

STUDY OF SUSPENSION SYSTEM

1.1 Objective 1.2 Theory 1.3 Basic Parts of Suspension Systems 1.4 Types of
Suspension Systems 1.5 Suspension System Problems 1.6 Suspension System
Troubleshooting 1.7 Pre-Requisite 1.8 Post-Requisite
1.1 OBJECTIVE: To study the construction details, working principles and operation of
the automotive suspension systems.
1.2 THEORY: Suspension is the system of tires, tire air, springs, shock absorbers and
linkages that connects a vehicle to its wheels and allows relative motion between the two.
Suspension systems serve a dual purpose:
contributing to the vehicle's road holding/handling and braking for good active
safety and driving pleasure and
keeping vehicle occupants comfortable and a ride quality reasonably well isolated
from road noise, bumps, vibrations, etc
Horse-drawn wagons first incorporated crude suspension systems, often consisting of
simple leaf springs. Some of these systems were the first independent suspension systems
(ones that let each wheel rise and fall independent of the three other wheels). Some of
todays suspension components look much like early suspension parts while others take
advantage of high-tech enhancements like computer controlled suspension response and
road-surface compensation. The most advanced systems take advantage of modern
computer-control capabilities to adjust the suspension to match almost any imaginable
road and driving conditions.
1.3 BASIC PARTS OF SUSPENSION SYSTEMS: The basic parts of suspension
system are as follow:
1. Control arm: It is a
movable lever that fastens
the steering knuckle to the
vehicles body or frame.

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2. Steering
Knuckle:
It
provides a spindle or
bearing support for the
wheel hub, bearings and
wheel assembly

3. Ball Joints: It swivel joints

that allow control arm and
steering knuckle to move up
and down and side to side.

3. Springs:
The
springs
support the weight of the
vehicle; permits the control
arm and Wheel to move up
and down.
Coil
spring:
most
common spring used in
front and rear of
passenger cars
Variable
rate
spring: becomes
stiffer
as
compressed
Smoother ride
over
small
bumps

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Torsion bar spring:

straight rod that twists
when working as a
spring
Mounted in the
chassis
Leaf spring: long, flat
strip of spring steel
rolled at both ends to
accept rubber insulated
bushing
As leaf spring is
deflected
it
becomes stiffer
Air spring: rubber air
chamber attached by
tubing
to
an
air
compressor
4. Shock
absorbers
or
dampeners: It keeps the
suspension from continuing
to bounce after spring
compression and extension.

5. Control arm bushing

sleeves that allows the
control arm to swing up and
down on the frame.

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6. Rubber bushings: Keeps

suspension parts separate

7. Ball joints: They attach

control arm to spindle and
allows motion in two
directions

Sway Bar (Stabilizer Bar)

Used to keep the body
from
leaning
excessively in sharp
turns.
Fastened
to
lower
control arms. (rubber
bushings are used)
During
cornering,
centrifugal force makes
the outside of body drop
and inside raise.
The bars resistance to
twisting motion limits
body lean in corners.

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Suspension System Layout

1.4 Types of Suspension Systems: The different types of suspension systems are:
1. Dependent
2. Independent

Dependent Front Suspension: Dependent front suspension uses a solid axle. Uses one
steel or aluminum beam extending the width of the vehicle. The beam is held in place by
leaf springs.

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Solid axle is only used on heavy trucks,

and off-road vehicles

Independent Front Suspension:

Developed in the 1930's to improve vehicle ride control and riding comfort
Wheels to respond individually to road conditions
Sprung weight is reduced, creating a smoother ride.
Basic classification of the design
Twin I-Beam
Type 1 Coil Spring
Type 2 Coil Spring
Torsion Bar
Double Wishbone
MacPherson Strut
Multi link
Twin I-Beam
Similar to the solid axle
Improves ride and handling
Load carrying ability
Used on pickups, vans and fourwheel drive vehicles.

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Type 1 Coil Spring

2 upper control arms
2 lower control arms
2 steering knuckles
2 spindles
2 upper ball joints
2 lower ball joints
bushings
coil springs
Shock Absorbers
short-arm/long-arm,
parallel arm design

or

the

Type 2 Coil
Spring coil spring is mounted on
the upper control arm
Top of the spring is attached to
the frame.
Upper ball joint receives the
weight of the vehicle and the
force of the coil spring makes it
the load carrier

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Torsion Bar
No coil or leaf springs
Supports the vehicle weight and
absorbs the road shock
Performs the same function as a
coil spring:
Supports the vehicle's weight

Double Wishbone or Double-A

Type of strut suspension
Space saving benefits of a strut
of the parallel arm suspension
More aerodynamic hood line.
Portion of the strut forms a
wishbone shape
Does not rotate when the wheels
turn
Wheel spindles are supported by
an upper and lower 'A' shaped
arm.
The lower arm carries most of
the load.
If you look head-on at this type
of system, parallelogram system
that allows the spindles to travel
vertically up and down.
This side-to-side motion is
known as scrub

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MacPherson Strut
The most widely used front
suspension system in cars
Comprises of a strut-type spring
and shock absorber combo,
which pivots on a ball joint on
the single, lower arm.
The steering gear is either
connected directly to the lower
shock absorber housing, or to an
arm from the front or back of the
spindle (in this case
When you steer, it physically
twists the strut and shock
absorber
housing
(and
consequently the spring) to turn
the wheel

Multi link
A multi-link suspension is a type
of vehicle suspension design
typically used in independent
suspensions, using three or more
lateral arms, and one or more
longitudinal arms
Extra links keep wheel in more
precise position during cornering
and on bumps
It was first introduced in the late
1960s on Mercedes-Benz C111
and later on their W201 and
W124 series.

1.5 SUSPENSION SYSTEM PROBLEMS:

Shocks and Struts: Shocks and Struts are located behind the wheels of a vehicle. Shocks
and Struts are subject to wear and tear just like other vehicle parts. The signs of a shock
wear out are if the car bounces excessively, leans hard in corners and jerks at brakes then
the shocks and struts are definitely calling for a change.

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Ball joints: The wearing out of ball joints can get dangerous because if they separate they
cause you to lose control over the vehicle which could also be a life risk.
1.6 SUSPENSION SYSTEM TROUBLESHOOTING:
Sr Symptoms
Causes and Remedies
No.
1
Pulling to One Side Low or uneven tire pressure - check tire inflation.
While Driving
Uneven tire wear - check front tires for even wear and
replace both front tires.
Alignment bad - check and adjust wheel alignment.
Steering components bad - inspect tie rods and
steering rack.
Sticking brake caliper - inspect brakes for uneven wear
or excessive heat. Repair as needed.
2

Flip-flop
wheel
shimmy. Wheels seem
to wander and wiggle
rapidly back and forth.

Porpoising,
aka
bouncing,
dipping,
diving. Car keeps
going up and down
after you go over a
bump.

Low or uneven tire pressure - check tire inflation.

Worn out suspension parts
One or more wheels out of balance - have wheels
balanced.
Uneven or excessive tire wear - inspect tires and
replace in pairs.
Vehicle out of alignment - check and adjust wheel
alignment.
Worn steering components - inspect tie rods and
steering rack for excessive play and repair if needed.
Worn shocks or struts - replace shocks and/or struts.
Broken or slipped leaf spring - inspect leaf springs and
repair or replace as needed.

1.8 PRE-REQUISITE:
1. What is a suspension system?
2. What are the basic functions of a suspension system?
3. Discuss the requirements of a suspension system?
1.9 POST-REQUISITE:
1. What is the types of suspension used in heavy trucks?
2. What is the purpose of leaf springs in rear suspension? Why are they made of a
series of steel strips?
3. What type of shock absorbers are preferred in morden cars?

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