Have you ever wondered what makes the car’s motion possible? It is possible because of the assemblage of car parts like shock absorbers and linkages that join the upper body to the wheels and thus enable movement between the two. This whole system is known as the suspension system which is responsible for ensuring smooth road handling and maximum ride comfort.
In this guide, you will learn about different types of suspension systems in automobiles.
Different Types of Suspension Systems Used in Cars
Suspension systems in automobiles can be split into the following broad types:
- Independent suspension system and dependent suspension system (also known as non-independent suspension system)
In cars with a dependent suspension system, a solid axle (which is as long as the car’s frame) links the right and left sides of the wheel and allows them to operate in unison. As a result of this, in the case of one side tilting in a particular direction, the other side will also do the same.
An Independent suspension system, on the other hand, is a type of car suspension system in which there is independent wheel movement.
Moreover, suspension systems which exhibit the characteristics of independent and non-independent suspension systems fall into the category of semi-independent suspension systems.
- Rear car suspension and front car suspension
The rear suspension links the car’s front wheels while the front suspension connects the front wheels of the car.
Common Types of Independent Suspension Systems
The main types of independent suspension systems are as follows:
Double Wishbone Suspension System
An independent suspension system, a double-wishbone suspension employs two forked bone-shaped arms. Each wishbone or control arm is attached to the chassis via a pair of points and a single knuckle joint. The shock absorber and coil spring are attached to the wishbones to facilitate vertical movement.
The use of a double-wishbone suspension system dates back to 1930 when French automotive manufacturer Citroën used a double-wishbone suspension in the 1934 model of Rosalie and Traction Avant.
The configuration of a double-wishbone suspension system makes it relatively easier to determine the effect of joints separately thus making modifications and optimizations of the suspension system’s biomechanics and wheel motion more convenient for the automotive designers.
Multi-link Suspension System
It is one of the types of suspension systems in automobiles which has one or more than one longitudinal control arms. These control arms can be of different lengths and may be slanted away from their conventional direction.
In the late 1960s, Mercedes-Benz C111 became the first automobile to feature a multi-link suspension system. The suspension’s orthogonal design makes it possible to modify any parameter in the system without impacting any of the other parameters.
MacPherson Strut Suspension System
In the MacPherson strut suspension system, the top of a telescopic damper is used as the upper steering pivot and a forked bone or compression link acts as the mounting point for the hub carrier or wheel’s axle. The pros of MacPherson Strut Suspension System in automobiles include less space, lighter weight and better spring travel.
Transverse Leaf-spring Suspension System
Transverse leaf spring front suspension, also known as suicide front axle, comprises a one-piece spindle which gets vertical and longitudinal support from transverse leaf spring and radius rods respectively.
Unlike when a coil spring breaks, if any of the parameters of transverse leaf spring front suspension fail, only one leaf fails at a time as the pack clamps enable the other leaves to maintain the car upright until the faulty leaf can be replaced.
Common Types of Dependent Suspension Systems
Now, let’s take a look at the common types of dependent suspension systems. The main types of dependent suspension systems are as follows:
Panhard Rod Suspension System
The Panhard bar contains a bar extending laterally in a similar plane as the axle, connecting one end of the axle to the vehicle’s car body or chassis on the other side. The bar is attached at both ends by pivots that allow it to pivot only upwards and downwards, allowing the axle to move just in the vertical plane.
Watt’s Linkage Suspension System
In Watt’s linkage, the central moving point is limited to straight motion. It is made up of three bars chained together. The chain of bars is made up of two end bars and one centre bar. Each end of the central bar is attached to one of the ends of each outer bar. All of the three bars are capable of pivoting around the two bolts. The long bars’ outer ends are positioned relative to each other, but the three bars are allowed to rotate around the two joints where they connect.
This concludes our guide about different types of suspension systems in automobile. If you are looking for a car with a sturdy suspension system, check out this huge collection of used cars for sale in the UAE. Moreover, you can look out for driving tips to avoid damage to the suspension system.
To learn more about automobiles, automotive parts and the world’s automotive industry, stay tuned to UAE’s leading auto blog.
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