Suspension System

1. Mc Pherson Strut for all four

1.1 About
The MacPherson strut is a type of car suspension
system which uses the top of a telescopic damper as
the upper steering pivot.

The system was invented in 1955 and used on the first

Ford Consul. The MacPherson suspension is a
technology for front and rear suspension. It is an
independent suspension type, including a single
suspension arm (spring and damper), an anti-roll bar
and a lower arm

1.2 Design

MacPherson For front

Use of MacPherson
in Front
 MacPherson Section

MacPherson For Rear

 Vehicle Using Macpherson strut

1.2.1Terminology

•Camber angle
–angle between
the wheel plane
and the vertical
–taken to be
positive when
the wheel leans
outwards from
the vehicle

•Swivel pin (kingpin) inclination

 –angle between the swivel
pin axis and the vertical
•Swivel pin (kingpin) offset
–distance between the centre of the
tire contact patch and
–intersection of the swivel pin axis
and the ground plane
•Castor angle
–inclination of the swivel pin axis projected into
the fore–aft plane through the wheel centre
–positive in the direction shown.
–provides a self-aligning torque for
non-driven wheels.

•Toe-in and Toe-out

–difference between the front and rear
distances separating the centre plane
of a pair of wheels,
–quoted at static ride height – toe-in is
when the wheel centre planes converge towards the front of the vehicle

1.2 Advantages

 The struts are designed with more simplicity, and thus takes up less space
horizontally.
 They also display low un-sprung weight, an advantage that reduces the
overall weight of the vehicle as well as increases the car’s acceleration.
Lower un-sprung weight also makes your ride more comfortable
 Another major advantage of this system is its ease of manufacturing as well
as low cost of manufacture compared to other stand-alone suspension
systems
 Compact, compliance close to completely independent suspension and hence
good for vehicle stability.
 reducing the unsprung weight (like with MacPherson Struts) has a big effect
on ride Comfort, and it greatly reduces the work the suspension has to do,
which ends up in some parts lasting longer and staying in peak condition
longer
 double wishbones may perform better, but the MacPherson struts would
prove to be more affordable in the long run.
 1.3 Disadvantage

 Vibrations from the wheel are transmitted directly into the body of the
vehicle. That can result in excessive road noise and vibration, which is
mitigated somewhat by bushings and other components and mechanisms.
 the strut in a MacPherson strut system is an integral part of both the
steering and suspension systems, a failure can be catastrophic
 The MacPherson struts also have problems working with wider wheels that
have increased scrub radius, where you would need extra effort to navigate
your car in this situation.
 Small camber change with vertical movement of the suspension, which
could mean the tires have less contact with the road during cornering. This
could reduce handling abilities of your vehicle.

2 Double wishbone or double A

2.1 About
A double wishbone (or
upper and lower A-arm)
suspension is an
independent suspension
design using two
(occasionally parallel)
wishbone-shaped arms to
locate the wheel. Each
wishbone or arm has two
mounting points to the
chassis and one joint at the
knuckle. The shock absorber and coil spring mount to the wishbones to control vertical
movement.

2.2 Design

A cad model
of double wishbone
Double Wishbone in Rear

For Front

Different Suspensions
Double wishbone in buggy A simpler design
 Wishbone design

A cad model using front double wishbone

2.3.1 Advantages

 Independent suspension and hence best for vehicle stability and relatively simpler to
manufacture and assemble as compared to McPherson strut
 DOUBLE WISHBONE suspension is the simplest, most effective way to maintain a
constant camber angle in an independent suspension.
 increase of negative chamber as a result of the vertical suspension movement of the
upper and lower arms
 better stability properties for the car as the tires on the outside maintain more
contact with the road surface
 The double suspension system is much more rigid and stable than other suspension
system
 steering and wheel alignments are constant even when undergoing high amounts of
stress.
2.3.2 Disadvantages

 Costly, needs more space and high maintenance.

 Repair, modification and maintenance costs and complexities for double wishbone
suspension systems are normally higher
 Due to the increased number of components within the suspension set up it takes
much longer to service and is heavier than an equivalent MacPherson design
 More unsprung Weight

3.Cost
1. The cost of the suspension in both MacPherson and wishbone would remain same
2. The double wishbone require more parts and bushing while the MacPherson require
less Components
3.