BVA2124 Drivetrain Maintenance

Suspension System Components and

Operation

Daing Nafiz, PhD

Faculty of Mechanical & Automotive Engineering Technology
 CLO 1

Suspension Systems
Course Learning Objectives
IDENTIFY COMPONENTS AND FUNCTION IN VARIOUS DRIVETRAIN SYSTEM
(C4, PL01)

• Describe the purpose of a suspension system.

• List the various types of suspensions and their component parts.

• Define Hooke’s law and explain how coil, leaf, and torsion bar springs work.

• Describe how suspension components allow wheel movement up and down and
provide for turning.

• Describe how shock absorbers control spring forces.

• Describe the function of bump stops.

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Typical SLA Suspension
 Short-Long Arm Suspension
• Each wheel is connected independently to
the frame.
• The upper arm pivots in a shorter arc.
• The top of the wheel moves slightly but
tire’s contact with the road remains
constant.
 SLA Suspension Components
• Wheel spindle and steering knuckle
• Upper and lower control arms:
– Can be wishbone or double pivot
• Ball joints
• Shock absorber
• Spring
 Ball Joints
• Connects the steering knuckle to the control
arms.
• Are either load carrying or are followers:
– Load carrying joints support the vehicle’s
weight
– Following or friction joints a steering pivot
 Four-Link Front Suspension
(Multi link suspension)
• This style optimizes
ride quality and
movement.
• The influence of
drive forces on the
steering is minimal.
 Dependent vs Independent
• Dependent : Connects the
left wheel to the right
-rugged and cheap
-durable and affordable

• Twist beam suspension

-compact and simpler Fig : Twist beam suspension
 Dependent vs Independent
• Live axle suspension
-transmits power to the wheel
-commonly found on buses,
light trucks, SUVs and pickups
as rear suspension
-sprung by coil springs or leaf Fig : Live axle suspension
springs
-more reliable with concern to
heavy load capacities
 Dependent vs Independent
• Independent : Each wheel is
given its own spring and shock
combo
-rugged and cheap
-durable and affordable
-can be used either in front or rear
-different variations of independent
suspension system (MacPherson,
Wishbone, Multilink etc)
 Dependent vs Independent
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnP704YFBck
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9gELaeVTmQ
 Suspension types comparison
MacPherson strut: cost-effective, fewer parts,
simpler, less space, easy to troubleshoot
Double Wishbone (A arm): similar to the
MacPherson strut’s wishbone, increase in negative
camber (better grip and handling),
Multilink: utilizes at least three lateral arms and one
or more longitudinal arm, expensive, complex, able
to move more freely, various wheel alignments
 Suspension types comparison
MacPherson Strut
 Suspension types comparison
Double Wishbone (A - arm)
 Suspension types comparison
Multilink
 Rear-Suspension Systems
• Three basic types:
– Live axle
– Semi-independent
– Independent
• There are various types within the three
basic types.
 Live-Axle Rear Suspensions
• Leaf spring live-axle
– Leaf spring mounted at right angle to the axle
– Large amount of unsprung weight
– Axle tramp possible under hard acceleration
• Coil spring live-axle
– Used with forward and lateral control arms
– Some vehicles use a track bar and a torque tube
Leaf Spring Rear Suspension
Coil Spring Rear Suspension
 Semi-Independent Suspension
• Used on many FWD
models.
• Twisting of the axle
allows for semi-
independent movement.
• Only remove one shock
and spring at a time.
 Independent Suspension
• Found on many FWD and RWD models.
• Improves ride and traction.
• Many variations with control arms and
types of springs.
• Commonly used with rear struts.
Independent RWD Suspension
Independent FWD Rear Suspension
 Multilink Rear Suspension
• Uses several control arms to guide the
wheel.
• Types vary by manufacturer and desired
ride and handling qualities.
• May use double-wishbone, trailing-link
double-wishbone, and trapezoidal-link rear
suspensions.