SUSPENSION SYSTEM R - 2020

No road is entirely smooth , for this reason the vehicle’s wheel must be capable of doing some up-and –down
movement at the same time as they are rotating. At high speed, these movements have to take place extremely
quickly.
Note:
 Mounting the axle directly to the frame of a vehicle would subject the occupants (passengers) and
general components to severe shocks – when the road wheel strikes a bump on the road.
Sketch
Location:
 A spring fitted between the wheel and the frame – allows the wheel to move up and down without
causing similar movement of the frame. This spring absorbs road shocks and allows the wheel to follow
the irregular contour of the road surface . For this purpose the wheel assembly should be as light as
possible.
Road shocks can be further reduced by fitting a spring to the road wheel pneumatic tyre.
The mechanism introduced between the wheel and the frame is termed as the “suspension”
Suspension system of a car is made of:
1. Suspension springs. 2). Suspension dampers. 3). Pneumatic tyres.
Function of suspension system:
1. To ensure that the road wheels remain in contact with the road surface.
2. To isolate the vehicle’s body from uneven road surfaces.
3. To support the sprung weight of the vehicle ( that is, everything supported by the suspension springs).
4. To ensure that the front and rear axles are correctly located.
General:
Function:
 Is to control the spring oscillations.
Main parts of suspension system:
i). Suspension springs. (ii). Suspension damper (shock absorber) (iii). Trailing arms (- coil springs). (iv). Panhard
rod (coil springs) (v). Anti – roll bar. (vi). Wishbones (upper and Lower wishbones).
Things that assist to absorb road shocks on vehicles:
1. Suspension springs. 2). Pneumatic tyres. 3). Suspension dampers / shock absorbers.
Suspension systems with springs are normally fitted with Dampers (shock absorbers) – to damp out oscillations (
that is to reduce unwanted bounce of the springs).
Types of suspension springs:
1) Steel springs. 2). Pneumatic springs 3). Rubber springs. 4). Hydro-pneumatic suspension.
STEEL SPRINGS:
Types of steel springs:
i. Leaf springs. ii). Coil springs. iii). Torsion bar springs.
LEAF SPRING:
This consists of a pair of semi – elliptic leaf springs – which are fitted between the vehicle’s chassis and its axle.
Hence:
 The term – elliptic – refers to slight curvature of the suspension spring.
The leaf spring – is bolted to the axle by a pair of “U- BOLTS”.
 The individual leaves of the spring – are held together by “retaining clips” – to prevent
excessive flexing.
 Each end of the spring – is shaped with a location eye to hold a “bush and shackle pin” – for
connection to the chassis.
 The fixed shackle of the leaf spring – is located at the front , while the swinging shackle is
located at the rear”.
Function :
 Swinging shackle – allows the leaf spring to increase its overall length as the spring flexes.
 Sketch.
Composite leaf spring :
To reduce any unnecessary weight , composite leaf spring are increasingly being used. The spring is a one up to
three pieces construction , thickest in its center section and tapered at either end, it is tough and long lasting,
and needs less maintenance.
Sketch – composite
Rear axle driving leaf spring:
On a driving rear axle – fitted with a leaf spring suspension , “the action of the final drive unit – attempts to
twist the axle backwards during acceleration , and forwards on the over- run or braking”.
 To counter this fore- and - after movement some manufacturers fit "Radius Arms”
. sketch – pg 199
COIL SPRING:
An alternative method of supporting a live rear axle – is by using “coil springs”.
 The coil springs allow up and down movement , but cannot prevent the axle from twisting when
accelerating and braking or from moving sideways when cornering.
 Such an axle is located using “Radius arms” to prevent twisting and Panhard rod to prevent sideways
movement
Skech – pg 199
TORSION BAR SPRING:
As an alternative to coil springs, Torsion bar springs can be used. The torsion bar spring has the required
elasticity – this allows it to be twisted and yet return to its original shape.
 One end of the torsion bar – is splined into the suspension link, while the other end – is located onto the
vehicle’s chassis member.
 The amount of static twist imposed upon the bar can be varied by means of an “adjuster, or by altering
the splined location.
When the road wheel is deflected by an uneven road surface , the suspension link twists the torsion bar. The
fixed opposite end creates an opposing force – which limits the amount of twist and hence – suspension
movement.
Caution:
 Torsional bars are made to be twisted either – Right-hand or Left – hand , therefore should not be
interchanged.
Note:
 The greatest variety of spring arrangements is found in front – suspension systems.

Coil, leaf and torsion bar springs are used in seven basic arrangements:
1. Coil spring – between lower control arm and a seat in the car frame.
2. Coil spring – between the upper control arm and a seat in the car frame.
3. Coil spring - between a seat on a strut rod which is attached to the lower control and a seat in the car
body. There is no upper control arm – this is called “Macpherson strut suspension”
4. Coil spring – between an I-beam axle and a seat in the frame.
5. Torsional bar connected longitudinally between the lower control arm and the car frame.
6. Torsional bar – connected transversely between the lower control arm and the car body.
7. Leaf spring – between an I- beam axle and a seat in the frame.
Types of suspension systems:
1. Solid or Rigid suspension system.
2. Independent suspension system.
RIGID / SOLID SUSPENSION SYSTEM:
Axle suspension systems:
This is a simple and relatively inexpensive type of suspension design. It is fitted to vehicles that have beam axles,
and for light vehicles – is usually combined with leaf springs.
Advantage:
1. Low manufacturing costs.
Disadvantage:
1. When one of the road wheels rises or falls – because of uneven surface, the movement is transmitted
across the whole axle and causes the vehicle to tilt.
RUBBER SPRINGS:
Some vehicles are fitted with rubber suspension springs – as an alternative to steel springs. Because of their
flexible nature and low maintenance requirements, rubber suspension systems became popular on cars.

INDEPENDENT SUSPENSION SYSTEM:

Independent suspension allows wheel movement that has little or no effect on the other wheels or the body.
 This ensures that the vehicle remains at a more even and constant ride height.
Sketch 200.
There are many types of independent suspension, two of the most popular are :
1. Double transverse link.
2. Macpherson strut.
Double transverse link:
In this suspension design, two vee-shaped links are used. The links are often called “wishbones – because their
appearance.
 Wishbones are located onto the front suspension cross – member by pivot pins , which allow both the
upper and lower links to move with road wheel movement.
 A coil spring and suspension damper / telescopic damper are also fitted.
 The stub axle carrier – is mounted between the two links by a pair of swivel joints.
 These joints enable the road wheels to turn when cornering. To ensure that the lower link remains
correctly located under all operating conditions , a “tie rod” – is fitted.
Note:
 Most layouts the links – are of unequal length – the upper normally being shorter than the other.
 This minimizes possible tyre wear due to changes in the vehicle “track” – which is the
distance between wheels on the same axle.
Sketch pg 200.
Macpherson strut suspension:
This suspension design consists of a single transverse link , which is connected to the chassis by locating pins. A
single swivel joint is used to locate the base of telescopic strut to the transverse link.
 The upper part of the strut which incorporates both telescopic damper and a coil spring – is attached to
a strengthened section of the vehicle’s inner wing panel.
Sketch
Independent suspension at the rear:
For higher level of ride quality, independent suspension is often fitted at the rear as well as at the front.
 Front wheel drive vehicles commonly use a simple trailing link design. It consists of a pair of a trailing
links , which can move independently of each other.
 The trailing links also provides a means of locating road wheels onto the vehicle.
Hence:
 Independent Front Suspension - I.F.S.
 Independent Rear Suspension - I.R.S.
SPRUNG AND UNSPRUNG WEIGHT:
1. Sprung weight:
 The term – sprung weight - refers to the part of the car that is supported on springs.
 The frame and the parts attached to the frame are sprung. Their weight is supported
on the car springs.
 2. Unsprung weight:
 The term – unsprung weight – refers to that group of components carried directly the road wheel ,
that are not supported by the suspension springs. part that is not supported on a spring.
 Unsprung weight – includes roadwheels , wheel axles, axle housing, and differentials,
etc.
 Unsprung weight – should be kept as low as possible, the reason being that –
unsprung weight tends to have better riding qualities.
sketches

SUSPENSION DAMPERS (Shock absorbers):

Suspension dampers - are necessary because suspension springs do not settle down fast enough – after a
spring has been compressed and released – it continues to shorten and lengthened , or oscillates for a time.
 This is what happens if the spring at the wheel is not controlled. When a wheel hits a bump, the
spring compresses then the spring expands after the wheel passes the bump.
 The expansion of the spring causes the car body and frame to be thrown upward, and then the
spring shortens again. This action causes the wheel to move up and down and momentarily leave the
road at the same time the car body and frame drops down. The action is repeated until the
oscillation gradually die out. The action of the spring on a car would produce a very bumpy and
uncomfortable ride, and causes the car difficult to control.
 Therefore a damping device is needed to control the spring oscillations. This device is the suspension
damper (shock absorber).
Function :
 Is to control the rate at which a suspension spring oscillates (bounces) after the road wheel strikes an
irregularity in the road surface in order to have comfortable ride.

The damper offers a fluid resistance to the movement of the suspension spring and absorbs the stored energy.
This ensures that the road wheel does not bounce but remains in contact with the road surface.

ANTI - ROLL BAR:

As a vehicle turns a corner, side forces cause it to roll. If unchecked , this would make it difficult for the driver to
retain control. To help control this reaction an Anti-roll bar is fitted.
Function:
 Helps to maintain a degree of stability and limits the roll during cornering.

 It is normally attached to the chassis , subframe or body by rubber bushes.

 Each end of the anti-roll- bar forms a lever , which is attached to the lower suspension links. As the
vehicle attempts to roll , the bar is subjected to twisting forces, which act on the other suspension unit.
 Both front and rear suspension can incorporate anti-roll bars , although at the rear this function may be
incorporated into a torsion beam.

Teacher Magwata;
0713 – 295496.