Introduction To Automobile Suspension System

The modern automobile has come along way since the days when “just being self propelled” was enough to satisfy the car owner. Improvement in suspension, increased strength & durability of components, and advances in tire design and construction has made large contributions to tiding comfort and driving safety.

Basically, suspension refers to the use of front and rear springs to suspend a vehicles frame, body, engine and power train above the wheels. These relatively heavy assemblies constitute what is known as Sprung weight. Unsprung weight, on the other hand, includes wheels and tire, break assemblies and other structural members not supported by the springs.

The springs used in today’s cars and trucks are engineered in a wide variety of types, shapes, sizes, rates and capacities. Types include leaf springs, coil springs, air springs and torsion bars.

Independent Suspension System

These are used in sets of four per vehicle, or they are paired off in various combinations and are attached to the vehicle by a number of different mounting techniques. 

The automobile frame and body are mounted on the front and rear axle not directly but through the springs and shock absorbent. The assembly of parts, which perform the isolation of parts from the road shocks, may be in the forms of bounce, pitch and roll is called suspension system.

Suspension system of an automobile separates the wheel and axle assembly of the automobile from its body. Main function of the suspension system is to isolate the body of the vehicle from shocks and vibrations generated due to irregularities on the surface of roads. Shock absorbers are provided in the vehicles for this purpose. It is in the form of spring and damper. The suspension system is provided both on front end and rear end of the vehicle.

A suspension system also maintains the stability of the vehicle in pitching or rolling when vehicle is in motion.

Functions of suspension system:

1. It prevents the vehicle body and frame from road shocks.
2. It gives stability of the vehicle.
3. It safeguards the passengers and goods from road shocks.
4. It gives the good road holding while driving, cornering and braking.
5. It gives cushioning effect.
6. It provides comfort.

Requirements of suspension system:

1. There should be minimum deflection.
2. It should be of low initial cost.
3. It should be of minimum weight.
4. It should have low maintenance and low operating cost.
5. It should have minimum tyre wear.

Components of Suspension system:

Coil springs, Leaf springs, shock absorbers, Spring shackles, stabilizer

Leaf Spring