Suspension

Suspension system perform 6 basic functions:

1.
2. 3. 4. 5.

6.

Maintain correct vehicle ride height Reduce the effect of shock forces Maintain correct wheel alignment Support vehicle weight Keep the tires in contact with the road Control the vehicle's direction of travel

Front Suspension
Dependent 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.
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. Twin I-Beam, Type 1 Coil Spring, Type 2 Coil Spring, Torsion Bar, Double Wishbone,

Twin I-Beam

similar to the solid axle improves ride and handling load carrying ability used on pickups, vans and four-wheel 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, or the parallel arm design

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

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

type of strut suspension space saving benefits of a strut of the parallel arm suspension more aerodynamic hoodline portion of the strut forms a wishbone shape does not rotate when the wheels turn
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Suspension Components

Springs
Coil Leaf Torsion bar

Torsion Bar Suspension Systems*

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coil

3 types of springs used on automobile suspensions

Lower Control Arm w/Strut rod leaf

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Suspension Components II
Shock

Absorbers purpose *** Dampen spring oscillation Types

Direct

acting Dual action telescopic

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Components
Spring
Stabilizer Shock

Control Arm Bushing Control Arm

Ball Joint

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Components

Upper Control Arm Bushing

Upper Ball Joint

Spindle/Knuckle

Upper Control Arm Lower Control Arm

Lower Control Arm Bushing

Stabilizer Lower Ball Joint

Strut Rod

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Springs

Leaf

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Leaf Springs

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Springs

Torsion Bars

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Springs

Transverse Torsion Bar

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Shock Absorbers
Should not leak oil Stop bouncing quickly SLA- Short Long Arm

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Shock Absorbers

Shock Assist Gas Charged Air Shocks Shock Absorber Ratio Electronically Controlled Shocks

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Shocks

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Springs

Spring Rate Jounce Rebound Sprung Weight Un-sprung Weight Coil Springs* Leaf Springs* Air Springs
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MacPherson Struts
NO upper control Arm! Spring around a shock absorber

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Rod Nut Bearing Plate Upper Spring Seat Dust Shield Strut Shaft Lower Spring Seat Strut Body

Strut Construction

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Control Arms

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Ball Joints

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Rear Suspension System

Live Axle SemiIndependent Independent

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Solid Axle, Coil Spring Suspension (live)

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Beam Axle, for FWD

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Modified Beam Axle

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Independent Rear Suspension

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Semi-Independent

Semi-Independent Service

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Live-Axle Rear Suspension System

Leaf Spring Coil Spring Live Axle Servicing

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Solid (Dummy) Axle

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Electronically Controlled Suspension

Adaptive Suspension System Components

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Suspension Problems
Toe Camber Caster

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Toe

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Camber

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Caster

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