Automotive suspension

Automotive suspension is known as the ways of using mechanical torsional forces, with the aim of cushioning and softening
the movement of a vehicle, over irregularities on the surface of a terrain. Or in other words, the suspension is an elastic
medium that, in addition to supporting the body, assimilates the irregularities of the road.
Automotive suspension elements
Shock absorbers
Stabilizer bar
Springs or springs
Crossbows
Coil springs
Torsion bar

https://www.ceac.es/blog/que-es-la-suspension-automotriz
McPherson Suspensions
The McPherson independent suspension system is one of the most used in the front axle although it can also be mounted in
the rear. This system is one of the simplest and most used independent suspension designs in steering wheels, due to its
simplicity of manufacturing and maintenance, the cost of production and the little space it occupies. Its mechanism forms
an articulated triangle formed by the lower arm, frame and spring-shock absorber.
The figure below shows a detailed model of a McPherson suspension with lower arm and stabilizer bar.
The wheel knuckle (1) is attached to the hub (2) allowing it to rotate through a bearing (3). In turn, the stub axle is attached
to the frame through two characteristic elements of any McPherson suspension:
The lower arm (4) that is attached to the knuckle (1) by means of an elastic joint (A) (ball joint) and attached to the frame by
means of a bushing (B).
The coil spring-shock absorber assembly. The shock absorber (5) is fixedly anchored to the upper part of the knuckle (1) and
the spring (6) is concentric to the shock absorber and is held by two upper (C) and lower (D) cups. The shock absorber is
attached to the frame at the top by means of a needle bearing (7) and a fixing plate (8). In the front wheels, the existence of
this axial bearing is necessary since the shock absorber, being integral with the knuckle, rotates with it when the steering is
actuated.

The McPherson type suspension forms an articulated triangle type mechanism formed by the lower arm (4), the spring-
shock absorber assembly and the chassis itself. The side of the triangle that corresponds to the spring-damper is free
compression, so it only has a single degree of freedom: the traction or compression of the elastic and shock absorber
elements. Since all the forces are transmitted to the chassis through the spring-damper, a more rigid dimensioning of the
bodywork is necessary in the support area of the fixing plate (8).
As complementary elements to this suspension, there is the stabilizer bar (9) attached to the lower arm (4) by means of a
link (10) and to the frame by means of a bushing (E), and in this case a front tie rod (11).

Suspension Components
 Stabilizer bar: Suspension element made up of a metal bar that joins the two wheels of the same axle. It allows you
to have a flexible and comfortable suspension, artificially increasing rigidity when cornering.
 Stabilizer bar connection link: Metal bar formed by two ball joints, one at each end, which is joined to the stabilizer
bar with the grill or with the shock absorber. Its function is to reduce and improve the rolling (displacement) of the
vehicle.
 Suspension triangle: The suspension triangle ensures the connection between the chassis and the wheel through a
silentblock, a silentblock on the chassis side and a ball joint on the wheel side.
 Stub axle: The suspension stub axle is a piece made of steel or alloys that joins the wheel hub and the wheel to the
suspension elements, tie rods, wishbones, shock absorber, etc.
 Hub or bushing: Cylindrical piece that is coated on the inside of the mechanical elements that rotate around an axis.
It can be a simple piece that holds a metal cylinder or a very elaborate set of components that form a joining point.
  Hub or bushing bearing: A piece that, in some countries, is known as a running gear, roller bearing, ball bearing,
bolillero or ball bearing. It is a bearing: an element that serves as support for an axis and on which it rotates.
 Shock absorber: These elements are responsible for absorbing the vibrations of the elastic elements (springs, leaf
springs, torsion bars), converting the energy generated by the oscillations into heat.
 Spring: These elements are responsible for absorbing the vibrations of the elastic elements (springs, leaf springs,
torsion bars), converting the energy generated by the oscillations into heat.
 Dust cover (bellows): These are soft material protections that are placed on the joints to protect them from
external elements and prevent leaks of the grease used as lubricant.
 Ball joints: They constitute a connecting and fixing element of the suspension and steering, which allows them to
pivot and rotate while maintaining the geometry of the wheels.
 Transverse arm: They are part of the chassis and are one of the components of the automobile subjected to the
greatest stress. The transverse arms are responsible for both the accommodation of the wheels and their steering.
 Suspension tie rod: These are longitudinal or transverse steel arms located between the body and the knuckle or
trapezoid that serve to support them and facilitate their guidance. They absorb the displacement and efforts of the
suspension elements through the silent blocks or elastic bearings mounted at their ends.
 Bushing: Piece generally made of steel, bronze or plastic, with a tubular shape, which is machined on the inside and
outside and has a tight tolerance to insert it into another piece

"False" McPherson
Currently there are multiple variants regarding the replacement of the lower tie rod (4) that can be carried out with a lower
triangle, double transverse link with longitudinal tie rod, etc. These latter systems have also been called "false" McPherson,
although in any case all of them use the shock absorber as a guiding element and maintain the articulated triangle
structure.
The classic McPherson suspension has the stabilizer bar as a longitudinal tie rod, while the so-called "false" McPherson
suspension already absorbs the longitudinal forces with the arrangement of the anchoring of the element that replaces the
lower arm.
The figure below shows a McPherson diagram where the lower arm has been replaced by a triangle (1) that is attached to
the knuckle (2) by means of a ball joint (A) and to the engine cradle (3) by means of two bushings (C ) and (D). The rest of
the components are similar to that of a conventional McPherson.
Springs or Springs
They are elements placed between the frame and closest to the wheels, which directly collect the irregularities of the
terrain, absorbing them in the form of deformation. They have good elastic properties and absorb mechanical energy,
avoiding indefinite deformations. When due to a load or an irregularity of the terrain the spring is deformed, and the action
that produces the deformation ceases, the spring will tend to oscillate, creating a sway in the vehicle that is reduced by
means of the shock absorbers.

Classification
Constant Range Springs
They are used to maintain the correct height of the vehicle, providing adequate driving performance, as they help keep the
steering wheel and suspension parts in place.
Variable range springs.
They control the charging of the vehicle while in use; For this reason, overloading the vehicle can cause wear on the rear.
Control Coil Springs
They are located in the front suspension, they allow better control of the vehicle, preventing the suspension from bouncing
and causing accidents, as well as uneven wear on the tires.
Tuff Coil Springs
They are recommended for pickups and SUVs, since they support a greater load weight, allowing better handling on any
terrain encountered, providing firmness when driving.
Cargo Coil Springs
Specially designed for heavy-duty transport vehicles, as they help maintain height and firmness when driving.

Crossbows
The leaf springs are made (fig. lower) by a set of sheets or sheets of special spring steel, joined by clamps (2) that allow
sliding between the sheets when they are deformed due to the weight they support. The upper sheet (1), called the master
sheet, is curved at its ends forming eyes in which bronze bushings (3) are mounted for coupling to the frame support by
means of bolts or bolts.

Assembly of the crossbows

The mounting of the leaf springs can be carried out longitudinally or transversely to the direction of travel of the vehicle.

Longitudinal assembly
Assembly generally used in trucks and coaches, it is carried out by mounting the leaf spring with a "fixed" point in the front
part of it (according to the displacement of the vehicle) and another "mobile" point, to allow its oscillating movements
when it is deformed. with the reaction of the frame. The fixed link is made by directly joining the leaf spring (1) to the
support (2) and the mobile connection is made by interposing a mobile element (3) between the leaf spring (1) and the
frame, called the leaf spring twin.

Transverse mounting
Generally used in passenger cars, it is made by joining the ends of the leaf spring (1) to the bridge (2) or suspension arms,
with the interposition of mobile elements (3) (twins) and the base of the leaf spring to a crossbar of the frame or
bodywork. .