2.

Suspension Systems - 1 Theory Support

Suspension Systems - 1
Automotive – Steering & Suspension

Topics covered in this presentation:

 Basic Suspension System
 Spring Types
 Suspension System Construction
2. Suspension Systems - 1 Theory Support

Basic Suspension System

Automotive – Steering & Suspension

The primary purpose of a suspension system is to support the weight of the

vehicle and give a smooth ride.
It is desirable that it should also:
 allow rapid cornering without body roll when the car leans to one side.

 keep tyres in firm contact with the road at all times and conditions.

 prevent body squat (tilting down at rear) when accelerating.

 prevent body dive (tilting down at front) when braking.

 allow front wheels to turn for steering.

 keep the wheels vertical and in correct alignment at all times.

2. Suspension Systems - 1 Theory Support

Elementary Suspension System

Automotive – Steering & Suspension

In a modern vehicle, the typical Coil spring

suspension components are:

A control arm that pivots Shock absorber

on the vehicle frame.

The steering knuckle

is ball-jointed to the
control arm to allow for Steering
vertical and horizontal knuckle
movements.
Control arm
This simple example
has a coil spring and
built-in shock absorber.
Frame
All of the components are
attached to the frame.
2. Suspension Systems - 1 Theory Support

Independent Suspension
Automotive – Steering & Suspension

A solid axle tilts with road bumps. Solid axle

This causes both wheels to be tilted.

Independent suspension allows

one wheel to move up or down
without appreciably affecting
the other.
Independent suspension

The design of the control arm

keeps the wheel upright.

This is the preferred system for

most modern vehicles.
2. Suspension Systems - 1 Theory Support

Coil Spring
Automotive – Steering & Suspension

There are four main types of springs in common use:

 Coil Spring Coil spring

 Leaf Spring
 Torsion Bar
 Air Spring

Coil Spring
This consists of a spring-steel
rod wound into a coil.

It is ideally suited to
independent suspension.

This is the most common type of

spring used by modern vehicles.
2. Suspension Systems - 1 Theory Support

Leaf Spring
Automotive – Steering & Suspension

Flat plates of spring steel

are bolted together.

The front end of the spring is

bolted directly to the frame.

A swinging shackle at the rear

permits the length of the spring
to change when it is flexed.

U-bolts and plates clamp

spring to axle housing.

This type used to be common but

is now only used on a few rear
suspension systems. Swinging shackle
2. Suspension Systems - 1 Theory Support

Torsion Bar
Automotive – Steering & Suspension

One end of the torsion bar is fixed to the vehicle frame.

The other end of the torsion bar is attached to the control arm so that it
twists as the control arm moves up or down.

A strut rod prevents front or rear movements of the control arm.

When the control arm is moved by the suspension,

the twisting motion of the torsion bar
resists the movement.

Torsion bar Vehicle frame

Control arm
Steering knuckle connects
Strut rod onto control arm
2. Suspension Systems - 1 Theory Support

Air Spring
Automotive – Steering & Suspension

This is normally a two-ply rubber cylinder filled with compressed air.

It has similar rebound reaction
to a coil spring.
The air spring is much
lighter in weight,
compared with its
steel sprung
equivalent, resulting in
increased economy
and an adjustable
controllable ride.
Rebound (expansion) allows the control arm to move down when there
are hollows in the road surface.
This is especially adaptable to automatic levelling systems.
2. Suspension Systems - 1
Automotive – Steering & Suspension Theory Support
2. Suspension Systems - 1 Theory Support

Control Arm
Automotive – Steering & Suspension

A control arm holds the steering knuckle,

bearing support or axle housing.
Bushes

The control arm is connected to the

steering knuckle by a ball joint.
Ball joint
Control arm bushes
act as bearings.

The control arm is

free to move up
and down with the
suspension.
Control arm Steering knuckle

Rear suspension control arms may have bushes at both ends.

2. Suspension Systems - 1 Theory Support

Control Arm and Strut Rod

Automotive – Steering & Suspension

The picture below shows a typical independent

suspension front wheel unit. Steering knuckle
Frame
The control arm is attached to
a frame or cradle.

The other end of the control

arm is attached to the
steering knuckle.

A strut rod prevents forward

or backward movement of the
control arm.

Rubber bushes on both the control

arm and the strut rod soften the action Control arm
and absorb shocks. Strut rod
2. Suspension Systems - 1 Theory Support

Ball Joints
Automotive – Steering & Suspension

Ball joint is short for ball-and- Upper pivot

socket joint. Steering knuckle ball joint

Ball joints allow limited

movement in all directions.

Two pivots, one above

and one below, keep the
wheel vertical.
Drive shaft
A front wheel system is shown,
including a steering knuckle.

Hub
The drive shaft must allow
universal movement. Lower pivot
ball joint
2. Suspension Systems - 1 Theory Support

Shock Absorber
Automotive – Steering & Suspension

The function of a shock absorber is to Top mount

reduce spring oscillations (up and down
movements) following a road shock.

The upper end (top mount) is attached to

the frame and the lower end (bottom Dust
mount) to the suspension unit. cover

A piston and valve assembly

moves in an oil-filled cylinder. Oil cylinder
Movement is controlled by the Piston and
valve, rate-of-flow, restriction. valve
assembly
A pressurized gas chamber is
sometimes added to prevent air
Pressurized
bubbles in the oil causing foaming. Bottom
gas chamber
mount
The cylinder is enclosed in a dust cover.
2. Suspension Systems - 1 Theory Support

MacPherson Strut Sock Absorber

Automotive – Steering & Suspension

This is a combined coil spring and shock

absorber assembly.

The upper pivot is the strut

mounting to the frame.

A ball bearing mounting at the top

allows steering movements.

Bump stops or rebound bumpers

prevent metal-to-metal contact.

The shock absorber is inside the strut.

The lower spring seat is part of

the shock absorber body.

Metal strut tube houses shock absorber

reservoir, valve, pressure tube etc.
2. Suspension Systems - 1 Theory Support

Stabilizer (Sway) Bar

Automotive – Steering & Suspension

The purpose of the stabilizer bar is to prevent excessive body leaning

when turning.

Links both the lower

control arms together.

When one end of the bar

is deflected in either
direction (up or down), the
bar tries to pull the other
side in the same direction,
this has the effect of
stabilizing and controlling Stabilizer bar
the suspension.

When cornering, the outside of the body tends to drop, which twists the bar
and limits the amount of the sway.
2. Suspension Systems - 1 Theory Support

Panhard Rod
Automotive – Steering & Suspension

A panhard rod prevents side- Support bracket

Diagonal brace
to-side rear axle movement
when cornering. Panhard
rod

One end of the panhard

rod is fastened to the
axle, the other end to
the frame on the
opposite side of vehicle.

Rear (solid) axle