Car suspension. What does a car's suspension consist of? How does an independent suspension work?

The suspension of any modern car is a special element that serves as a transitional link between the road and the body. And this includes not only the front and rear axles and wheels, but also a whole set of mechanisms, parts, springs and various assemblies.

To carry out professional repairs, a motorist needs to know what the car's suspension consists of. In this case, he will be able to quickly detect a malfunction, replace a part or conduct debugging.

Main suspension functions

The suspension of any modern car is designed to perform several basic functions:

1. Connection of axles and wheels with the main bearing system - frame and body.
2. Transfer of torque from the engine and the main bearing force.
3. Ensuring the necessary smoothness of the course.
4. Smoothing road irregularities.

All manufacturers are working to improve the efficiency, reliability and strength of the suspension by introducing more advanced solutions.

Varieties of pendants

Classic car suspensions have long been a thing of the past. These systems have now become more complex. There are two main types:

The vast majority of cars are equipped with independent suspension. It allows for greater comfort and safety. The essence of this design is that the wheels located on one axis are not rigidly connected to each other in any way. Due to this, when one wheel runs over some kind of unevenness, the other does not change its position.

In the case of a dependent suspension, the wheels are connected by a rigid beam and represent, in fact, a monolithic structure. As a result, the pair moves synchronously, which is not very convenient.

Main element groups

As already mentioned, a modern suspension is a complex system, where each element performs its own task, and each part, unit or unit can have several functions at once. It is very difficult to list all the elements, so experts usually distinguish certain groups:

1. Elements that provide elasticity.
2. Guiding elements.
3. Shock absorbing elements.

What each group is for

Elastic elements are designed to smooth out the vertical forces arising from the unevenness of the road. The guiding elements are directly responsible for communication with the carrier system. dampen any vibrations and ensure ride comfort.

Springs are the main elastic element. They soften shocks, vibrations and negative vibrations. The leaf spring is a large and powerful spring with high resistance.

One of the main suspension elements are shock absorbers that perform damping functions. They consist of:

• upper and lower lugs for attaching the entire shock absorber;
• protective casing;
• cylinder;
• stock;
• piston with valves.

Damping of vibrations occurs as a result of the impact of the resistance force arising from the flow of liquid or gas from one container to another.

Another important component is the anti-roll bar. It is needed to improve security. Thanks to him, the car while driving at high speeds does not deviate so much to the sides.

Suspension plays a key role in determining the driving performance of a passenger car. Many manufacturers try to find quality parts and take equipment seriously. Often, manufacturers use suspensions of one or another company that has long declared itself and has proven its reliability.

Video

Watch the video, which provides an overview of the suspension on the example of the Nissan Almera G15:

If you ask any motorist what is the most important part of the car, then the majority will answer that it is the engine, as it drives the car. Others will say that the most important thing is the body. Still others will say that one cannot go far without a checkpoint. But very few people remember about the suspension and how it matters. But this is the foundation on which the car is built. It is the suspension that determines the overall dimensions and features of the body. The system also determines the ability to install a particular engine. So let's see what a car suspension is.

Appointment

This is a complex of very closely working elements and devices, the functional feature of which is determined by the provision of an elastic connection between the sprung mass and the unsprung mass. The suspension system also reduces the load placed on the sprung mass by distributing dynamics more evenly throughout the vehicle. Among the most important components in the suspension of any car, there are several elements.

Thus, the elastic elements are designed to provide a smooth ride. Due to them, the effect of vertical dynamics on the body is reduced. Damping elements and devices are designed to convert vibrations into thermal energy. Due to this, the driving dynamics are normalized. The guide parts process the lateral and longitudinal kinetic energy on the moving wheels of the car.

Regardless of the type of chassis, the general purpose of a car's suspension is to absorb incoming vibration and noise, and to smooth out vibrations that will necessarily occur when driving on flat and uneven surfaces. Depending on the specifics of the car, the design features and the type of suspension will differ.

How does the system work?

Regardless of the type of system, this complex includes a set of elements, without which it is difficult to imagine an efficient chassis. The main group includes elastic buffers, spreading parts, shock absorbers, a rod, and also fasteners.

The elastic buffer is needed to analyze and transmit information to the body during the processing of road irregularities. It can be springs, springs, torsion bars - any details that smooth out vibrations.

The distributor parts are fixed at the same time in the suspension system and attached to the car body. This allows for the transfer of power. These elements are levers.

Shock absorbers use the hydraulic resistance method. The shock absorber resists elastic elements. There are two types - one-pipe and two-pipe models. Also, devices are classified into oil, gas-oil, and pneumatic.

The bar is designed to stabilize lateral stability. This part is part of a complex complex that consists of supports, as well as lever mechanisms attached to the body. The stabilizer distributes the load when cornering and similar maneuvers.

Fasteners are often bolted connections and various bushings. One of the most popular elements in different types of suspensions are silent blocks and ball bearings.

Types of suspension systems

The first pendants appeared at the beginning of the 20th century. The first structures performed only the function of connection, and all the kinetics was transmitted directly to the body. But then, after numerous experiments and tests, developments were embodied that made it possible to significantly improve not only the design. These experiments have significantly raised the potential for future exploitation. Now you can find only a few representatives of those developments or even segments. Each type of suspension is worthy of a separate review or even an entire article.

Macpherson

This development, which was created by the designer E. McPherson, was first used about 50 years ago. Structurally, it has a single lever, stabilizer and swinging candles. Those who know well what a suspension is will say that this type is imperfect, and they will be right. But with all the shortcomings, this system is very affordable and popular with most manufacturers of budget cars.

Double wishbone systems

In this case, the guiding part is represented by two levers. This can be realized in the form of diagonal, transverse and longitudinal link systems.

Multi-link systems

Unlike double wishbones, here the structure is more serious. Therefore, there are advantages that provide the car with a smooth and smooth ride, improved maneuverability. But only premium cars are equipped with such solutions.

Torsion Link Systems

This design is similar to the types discussed above. But instead of the springs traditional for lever-type suspensions, torsion bars are used here. Despite its apparent simplicity, this solution significantly expands the operational efficiency. The components themselves are easy to maintain and customizable.

"De Dion"

This suspension was developed by engineer De Dion from France. Its peculiarity is that it reduces the load on the rear axle. The final drive housing is not fixed to the beam, but to the body part. This solution is found on all-wheel drive off-road cars. On passenger cars, this approach is unacceptable. This can cause various problems during acceleration and deceleration.

Rear dependent suspension systems

We have already covered, and now let's move on to the rear systems. This is a familiar to everyone type of suspension for passenger cars, which was very much loved by Soviet engineers. In the USSR, this type was very widely used, integrated and invented. The beam is attached to the body by means of elastic springs and trailing arms. But with excellent handling and stability in motion, the weight of the rear beam can overload the gearbox and crankcase. However, such a rear suspension on VAZ, Logan and other budget models is still popular.

Semi-dependent

Unlike the dependent scheme, which was discussed above, there is a cross member here. It is connected by two trailing arms.

With swinging axle shafts

In this type, the semi-axes are the basis of the design. Hinges are attached to one end of the part. The axles themselves are connected to the wheels. When the car is moving, the wheel will be perpendicular to the axle shaft.

On longitudinal and transverse levers

Here the main design is the trailing arm. It must relieve the supporting forces that act on the body. This system is very heavy, which does not make it popular in the market. And in the case of trailing arms, everything is better - this is a more flexible type in setting. Support arms reduce stress on the suspension mounts.

Slant-arm suspension

The solution is very similar to the trailing arm system. The difference is that the axles on which the levers swing are in this case set at a sharper angle. These systems are most often installed on the rear axle. The suspension can be found on German-made cars. Compared with the longitudinal type, here the roll in the corner is significantly reduced.

Suspension with double trailing and wishbones

Unlike a single-lever system, there are two levers per axle. They are placed across or longitudinally. Torsion bars and springs can be used to connect the levers. In addition, springs are often used. The suspension is compact, but not balanced for roughness.

Pneumatic and hydraulic suspension

These solutions use fully pneumatic or hydropneumatic springs. By themselves, these details are not the final version. They only make the movement more comfortable.

Both the car and the hydraulic are quite sophisticated, both provide high smoothness and excellent handling. Such systems can be connected to MacPherson strings or multi-link solutions.

Electromagnetic

This is an even more complex type, and the design is based on an electric motor. Two functions are performed at once - a shock absorber and an elastic element. At the head is a microcontroller and a sensor. This solution is highly secure, and the mechanism is switched by means of electric magnets. Naturally, the cost of the kit is very high, so it is not found on serial car models.

Adaptive suspensions

We know what a suspension is and what it is for. And this system is able to adapt itself to the driving conditions and the driver. Electronics is able to determine the degree of vibration reduction itself. It adjusts to the required operating modes. Adaptation is carried out by electromagnets or by liquid method.

Suspension system malfunctions

Car manufacturers are working hard on the reliability of the suspension. Many cars are even equipped with reinforced systems. But the quality of the roads reduces the efforts of engineers to zero. Drivers are faced with various vehicle suspension malfunctions. Several typical problems can be distinguished.

So, the angles of the front wheels are often violated. Levers are often deformed, spring stiffness decreases or they break. For one reason or another, the tightness of the shock absorbers is violated, the shock absorber supports are damaged, the stabilizer bushings wear out, the ball bearings and silent blocks wear out.

Even with regular maintenance, the suspension is still a consumable in Russia. Literally every year after winter, drivers have to be puzzled by replacing the car's suspension.

DIY diagnostics

The system should be diagnosed if there are problems with the car. This is the absence of rectilinear movement, various vibrations at speed, swinging of the body when bypassing or driving through obstacles, uncharacteristic sounds, impacts on the body when hitting various obstacles.

Diagnostics of the car's front suspension can be performed either manually using a mount or on a computer stand. Using a mount, each element of the system is checked in turn for backlash. A visual inspection will also help to identify a malfunction - you can visually assess the condition of silent blocks and other elements. Ball joints are diagnosed by hand. If the support walks tightly in its holder, then it is in good order. If she walks easily, then she should be replaced. In the VAZ suspension, this can be done without replacing the lever. On most foreign cars, the ball goes as a whole together with the lever. Although there are craftsmen who are engaged in either drilling rivets on the lever and installing bolted supports. This allows for significant savings.

But to find out exactly what state the suspension is in, computer diagnostics of the car's suspension will help. This is a special stand where the entire system is checked using numerous sensors. The computer will very accurately assess the condition and show the worn out and items to be replaced.

Suspension service

Suspension durability depends on maintenance. How often the service should be carried out, there is no exact answer. The term depends on the nature of the ride and on the operation of the car. If the car is treated with care, then it will be enough to service the car suspension once a year. But it happens that strange sounds and subsidence of the car happen more often. In this case, it is necessary to diagnose and replace worn parts. Usually, maintenance comes down to replacing worn out silent blocks, ball joints and other elements.

If the rear dependent suspension of the car fails, then the rear wheels become a house. To solve the problem, it is enough to replace the repair kit. It does not take a lot of time. That’s all there is to say about suspension maintenance.

Suspension repairs can be challenging - the system has to work in tough conditions. And often drivers are faced with the fact that fasteners do not loosen due to corrosion. At the workshop, craftsmen use a pneumatic or electric tool, which greatly facilitates the process of unscrewing the fasteners. Repair and maintenance of the suspension at the workshop will require less time than if the same was done in a conventional garage.

So, we found out what the chassis of a car is, what types it is and what functions it performs in a car.

What is the most important part of a car? We are sure that most motorists will agree in disputes: someone will argue that this is an engine, since it sets in motion and is, in fact, the basis of the car, while others will talk about the body, since without a "box" on which everything is attached is far from you will leave. However, few remember the functional significance of the suspension, which is essentially the "foundation" on which the future car will be built. It is the types of car suspensions that determine the dimensions and functional features of the car body, and also allow you to install a specific engine that will function harmoniously. Car suspension is such an important and complex element that it requires a separate detailed analysis, the most important points of which you can read below.

Purpose of car suspension

Car suspension Is a set of devices working closely with each other, the main functional feature of which is to provide an elastic connection, sprung with an unsprung mass. In addition, the suspension relieves the load on the sprung mass by evenly distributing dynamics throughout the structure. Among the most basic components in the suspension of a modern car are:

• elastic element- Provides a smoother ride, as it reduces the impact of vertical dynamics on the mass;
• damping element- vibrations obtained in the process of loads, converts into thermal energy, thereby normalizing the dynamics of driving (in another way called "");
• guiding element- carries out processing of lateral and longitudinal kinetics on the moving wheels of the car.

Regardless of the type of suspension and the structural differences of the vehicle, the general purpose of the suspension is to dampen incoming vibration and noise, as well as to smooth out vibrations that occur when driving on uneven surfaces. Depending on the functional features of the car (for a small Smart model, and for an all-wheel drive SUV, they differ significantly, you see), the type and design of the car's suspension will differ.

Vehicle suspension device

Regardless of the type of suspension, any of them includes a set of the most basic parts and components, without which it is impossible to imagine a workable device. The main group includes the following types:

• elastic buffer- serve as analyzers that process irregularities and transmit the received information to the car body. Such elements include elastic elements such as springs, springs and torsion bars, which smooth out the resulting vibrations;
• distributing elements- are attached to the suspension and at the same time to the body, which allows maximum power transfer. They are presented in the form of levers of different types: transverse rods, double ones, etc .;
• shock absorber- actively uses the method of hydraulic resistance, this device allows you to resist elastic elements. The most common shock absorbers are of three types: one-tube, two-tube and combined. In addition, the classification of the device is divided into oil, gas-oil and pneumatic type of action;
• barbell- provides stabilization of lateral stability. It is part of a complex complex of supports and linkages attached to the body, and distributes the load when performing maneuvers such as turns;
• fasteners- is presented most often in the form of bolted connections and bushings. The most common fasteners are ball joints as well.

Types and types of car suspensions

The history of the first types of suspensions used on cars goes back to the beginning of the 20th century, when the first structures had only a connecting function and transferred all the kinetics to the body. However, after that, numerous experiments were carried out and various developments were implemented, which improved the design itself and increased the potential for future use. Several representatives of different types and even segments of suspensions have reached our days, each of which is worthy of a separate article for consideration.

McPherson Suspension

This type of car suspension is the development of the famous designer E. McPherson, which was first used more than 50 years ago. By its design, the suspension is divided into one arm, an anti-roll bar and a swinging plug. This type is far from perfect, but with all this, it is very affordable and popular with many manufacturers.

Two-link suspension

The guide block in this type of suspension is represented by two link devices. It can be of diagonal, transverse and longitudinal rolling type.

Multi-link suspension

In contrast to the previous type, this development has a more advanced design, and therefore a number of significant advantages that provide a smoother and smoother ride, as well as improved maneuverability of the machine. Increasingly, this type of suspension can be found on medium and expensive premium cars.

Torsion bar suspension

Automotive suspension similar in design, with previous copies. However, this type of suspension uses torsion bar parts instead of standard lever springs. With a simple design, such a solution increases the efficiency of use, and the suspension components themselves are easy to maintain and can be customized to your liking.

Suspension type "De Dion"

Invented by the French engineer A. De Dion, this suspension helps to reduce the load on the rear axle of the car. A distinctive feature of such a suspension is the attachment of the main gear housing not to the axle beam, but to the very part of the body. A similar solution can be found on all-wheel drive SUVs. Passenger car use can cause sagging problems when braking and accelerating.

Rear dependent suspension

Everyone is familiar with the type of suspension for passenger cars, which the inventors in the USSR loved to use and integrate. The type of fastening of the beam for this type of suspension is carried out using springs and trailing arms. However, with good handling and stability while driving, the significant weight of the rear beam brings inconvenience to motorists in the form of overloading the crankcase and gearbox.

Semi-independent rear suspension

Unlike the dependent type of suspension discussed earlier, a cross member is used here, which is connected by two trailing arms.

Oscillating axle suspension

As the name implies, in this type of suspension, the basis of the device is the axle shafts. Hinges are applied to one of the ends, and the axles themselves are articulated with the tires. When the wheel moves, the latter will always be at an angle of 90 ° to the axle shaft.

Trailing arm suspension

It is divided into two more subcategories: torsion and spring, in which, depending on the name, the elastic elements are springs or torsion bars. Among the main differences is the location of the wheel in close proximity to the car body. This car suspension is used on small runabouts, trailers, etc.

With longitudinal and transverse levers

As the name suggests, the main structural unit here is the trailing arm, which relieves the supporting forces on the body. By itself, this type is too heavy, which makes it an extremely unpopular model on the market. On the other hand, the wishbones are slightly better: this type is more flexible when adjusting, and the use of support arms reduces the load on the suspension mount.

Suspension type with slanting arms

This type of car suspension is very similar in design to trailing arms, with the difference that the swinging axes of the arms are located at an acute angle. These types are installed on the rear axle most often by German manufacturers. In comparison with the longitudinal type, the roll when turning in the oblique type is comparatively less.

With double trailing and wishbones

Unlike designs with one lever, this one has two such devices for each axis. Placed, depending on the type, crosswise or longitudinally, but when connecting such levers, both springs and torsion bars, which we encountered earlier, and springs are used. Such designs are compact in themselves, but unbalanced when driving on poor surfaces.

Hydropneumatic and air suspension

A similar car suspension uses pneumatic or hydropneumatic devices (elastic parts). By themselves, they are not the final option, but only offer modern solutions to increase ride comfort. Both are sophisticated designs that provide owners with a smooth ride, high handling, and advanced vibration damping. Such suspensions can be combined with both MacPherson-type suspension and multi-link automobile suspension.

Electromagnetic suspension

It is a complex structure based on an electromagnetic drive. This technology fulfills two functional features at once: a shock absorber and an elastic element. The "orchestra" is led by a microcontroller with a sensor. The device is extremely safe, and the switching mechanism is carried out using electromagnets. Naturally, this type of suspension is not on a par with analogues due to its high manufacturability and cost.

Adaptive suspension (semi-active suspension)

By adjusting to the road surface and driving behavior, the system determines the degree of damping and adjusts to a specific operating mode. Tuning is performed using electromagnets, or a fluid on a rheological basis (much less often).

Suspensions for pickups, trucks and SUVs

When creating cargo strands, automobile inventors and engineers, as a rule, used options with the placement of axles on longitudinal or transverse springs. Over time, even now, some manufacturers have not changed this setting much, although one cannot say that there has been no progress either. Already, you can find models that use a hydraulic suspension. An unconditional distinctive feature of almost all truck suspensions is the use of simple structures in the form of a standard bridge, which is attached to the body with a bracket and connected by springs.

But for SUVs and pickups, this design is a little more complicated and may differ even on the example of one model (in the back there is one type, for example, dependent, and in front there is an independent one). This adaptability is due to the increased need for such vehicles to overcome difficult terrain. As a rule, the basis for such vehicles is with a spring type of suspension, although some design suspensions on a spring basis.

The suspension of a truck looks like a very complex mechanism, but its design is much simpler than some types of cars.

Car suspension service

To the question "how often do you need to crawl under the car and service the suspension?" no one can give an exact answer. It all depends on the level and quality of vehicle operation. With the proper driving character and respect for the car, there is no special need for this. However, as often happens, in the process of driving on our road for an hour or so, a characteristic sound will appear, or the presence of "subsidence" of the car in one direction. In this case, it is necessary to apply for the services of a professional workshop as soon as possible, or to make sure yourself in the presence or absence of a problem.

However, be careful when replacing equipment and parts in the suspension structure. At first glance, it may seem that repair and replacement is nothing complicated. Nevertheless, not every motorist can qualitatively and successfully replace a part, in a sometimes heavy mechanism. A frequent problem of such "grief-replacements" is the presence of "swaying", roll when cornering to one side, the appearance of impaired vehicle handling.

Suspension is an important system that makes it possible for the car to move (after all, with its help the wheels are attached to the car), and at the same time ensures the comfort and safety of passengers and cargo. Read about the car suspension device, its main elements and their purpose in this article.

Purpose of car suspension

Suspension is one of the main systems of the car's running gear, it is necessary to connect the body (or frame) of the car to the wheels. The suspension acts as an intermediate link between the car and the road and solves several problems:

Transmission to the frame or body of forces and moments arising from the interaction of the wheels with the road surface;
- Connection of wheels with a body or frame;
- Provides the necessary for the normal movement of the position of the wheels relative to the frame or body and the road;
- Provides acceptable ride smoothness, compensates for uneven road surfaces.

So the suspension of a car is not just a set of components for connecting the wheels and the body or frame, but a complex system that makes it possible to drive the car normally and comfortably.

General vehicle suspension device

Any suspension, regardless of its type and device, has a number of elements that help to solve the problems described above. The main suspension elements are:

Guiding elements;
- Elastic elements;
- Extinguishing devices;
- Wheel supports;
- Anti-roll bars;
- Fastening elements.

It should be noted that not every suspension has separate parts that play the role of one or another element - often one part solves several problems at once. For example, a traditional spring suspension uses a spring as a guiding and elastic element, as well as a damping device. The package of steel spring plates simultaneously ensures the desired position of the wheel, absorbs the forces and moments arising from the movement, and also serves as a shock absorber, smoothing out the unevenness of the road.

Each suspension element needs to be discussed separately.

Guide elements

The main task of the guide elements is to provide the necessary character of wheel movement relative to the frame or body. In addition, the guide elements absorb the forces and moments from the wheel (mainly lateral and longitudinal) and transmit them to the body or frame. Levers of one design or another are usually used as guiding elements in various types of suspensions.

Elastic elements

The main purpose of elastic elements is to transfer forces and moments directed vertically. That is, the elastic elements perceive and transmit road irregularities to the body or frame. It should be noted that elastic elements do not absorb the perceived loads - on the contrary, they accumulate them and transfer them to the body or frame with some delay. Springs, coil springs, torsion bars, as well as various rubber buffers (which are most often used in conjunction with elastic elements of other types) can act as elastic elements.

Extinguishing devices

The damping device performs an important function - it dampens the vibrations of the frame or body caused by the presence of elastic elements. Most often, hydraulic shock absorbers act as damping elements, but pneumatic and hydropneumatic devices are also used on many cars.

In most modern passenger cars, the elastic element and the damping device are combined into a single structure - the so-called strut, which consists of a hydraulic shock absorber and a coil spring.

The front and rear wheel hubs are not directly attached to the vehicle body. Various types of suspensions are used to absorb road irregularities, soften impacts and improve overall vehicle handling. Each of them is a set of levers, rods and damping devices (springs, shock absorbers) connecting the wheel and body base. The driving performance of the car, the carrying capacity and the degree of comfort when driving depends on the suspension design.

Varieties of pendants

There are several types of suspension systems used on trucks, cars, and minibuses:

• single-lever version called "McPherson" (McPherson);
• with two levers;
• dependent and semi-dependent;
• rear multi-link design;
• hydropneumatic adaptive;
• construction "De Dion".

As a rule, McPherson units, double wishbones and pneumatic systems are installed on the front axle of the machine, the rest are used for the rear wheelbase. Exceptions are not uncommon, for example, some SUVs are equipped with a continuous beam in front, and this is a variant of the dependent suspension.

Any of the listed constructs includes the following basic elements:

1. Levers are designed for fastening wheel hubs to body parts. They are able to swing due to rubber-metal bushings - silent blocks.
2. The stabilizer is a metal rod that ensures the lateral stability of the car. Ties the front wheel arms.
3. The spring is an elastic element installed between the rocker arm and the body side member. It perceives the static load from the weight of the car with passengers and the dynamic load from the wheels.
4. The shock absorber (otherwise - the strut) smooths out body vibrations, preventing the springs from straightening and compressing sharply.
5. The reaction rods provide an additional connection between the wheel hubs and the body and resist the lateral forces acting on the levers (beams) during movement.

Trucks and other commercial vehicles use springs or air cylinders instead of springs.

Dependent types of suspensions used on the rear axles also include cross beams of various designs - continuous and torsional. Often, the rear axle is combined with a transmission element - a gearbox that transfers torque from the propeller shaft to the axle shafts of the driving wheels.

Single-lever system like "MacPherson"

This type of suspension is considered the cheapest and most practical. It is installed on the front axle of most budget cars and consists of the following parts:

• subframe - a metal structure attached to the lower part of the body;
• transverse lower arms mounted on a subframe;
• a steering knuckle with a hub is attached to the lever by means of a ball joint;
• the role of the upper lever is played by the rack itself, assembled with a spring, supported by the upper end in the glass of the body side member;
• stabilizer linking the wishbones;
• the ends of the steering rods attached to the steering knuckles on the hinges.

The principle of operation of the McPherson suspension is quite simple: the shock absorber, mounted inside the spring, works with it as the main damping element. The rack is able to rotate with the steering knuckle due to the support bearing in the upper part. The lever holds the wheel underneath, and the steering is driven by a tie rod pivotally attached to the knuckle. The car is protected from rolls by the stabilizer bar connected to the subframe and both levers.

Reference. Suspension struts "MacPherson" are not strictly vertical, but tilted back at a slight angle (the so-called castor angle).

The main advantages of this suspension are compactness, low cost and the ability to easily connect CV joints from a transverse motor to the wheels. An additional advantage is a large stroke, practically over the entire length of the shock absorber opening, which protects body parts from suspension breakdowns.

Now about the cons:

1. The support leg is subject to shock loads from the wheel and often fails. This is a weak point in the McPherson design.
2. Due to the large travel and the flexible fastening of the elastic element on the hinges, the camber of the front wheels changes significantly.

These shortcomings do not allow the installation of an independent MacPherson suspension on heavy premium cars, SUVs and sports cars.

Dual arm design

Double wishbone independent car suspension is also used on the front axle and differs from the previous design in the following ways:

1. The shock absorber and the spring do not form a single unit, although the first is built into the second. The parts are fastened separately - the rack is to the body hinge, and the spring simply rests against the glass.
2. Added an upper arm with a ball joint bolted to the steering knuckle. The length of the element is shorter than the lower arm, since it is attached to the side member from the inside of the wheel arch.
3. The wheel is turned by the same steering rod, but due to two ball bearings installed at the ends of the levers.
4. The stand with a spring goes through the technological opening of the upper arm and is attached to the lower one. Accordingly, the elastic elements do not rotate with the turning wheel, and there is no upper support bearing.

The rest of the suspension is identical to the MacPherson strut - there is a subframe underneath, connected to the hinged levers and by means of an anti-roll bar. In some cases, the latter is not screwed to the front beam, but directly to the body parts.

Due to the design features, all dynamic and static loads are evenly distributed to all suspension elements - springs, shock absorbers, levers and stabilizer. As a result, the service life of the rack and other parts is significantly increased. The suspension is much softer and more reliable than McPherson, therefore it is successfully used on premium cars and SUVs.

Reference. The double wishbone system was installed on all classic VAZ 2101-2107 models. Despite many other disadvantages, these old cars were considered quite comfortable to drive on our roads.

A suspension with 2 levers is understandably more expensive and more difficult to repair. But you have to "conjure" over it less often, since the parts wear out evenly.

Rear dependent suspension

In front-wheel drive passenger cars, the design of the rear chassis is much simpler and more reliable than the front. The reason is the absence of swivel elements and drive axle shafts. The most suitable option for such machines is a semi-independent suspension with a swinging or torsion beam.

The semi-independent swing beam design is common on budget vehicles equipped with front-wheel drive. The system includes the following details:

• an all-metal beam attached to the body on hinges;
• springs inserted between the body cups and special platforms on the beam;
• shock absorbers are installed inside the springs or separately;
• lateral stability rods and reactive, holding the rear axle under the influence of longitudinal forces.

The system works as follows: in the process of movement, the link beam swings on hinges, supported on the other side by rods and shock absorbers. Irregularities are smoothed out by a spring. The wheel hubs are rigidly attached to the rear axle and rotate on bearings.

The second type of semi-independent suspension has a split beam with a torsion bar in the middle. When one of the wheels falls into the hole, this element twists and seeks to return to its previous position. Thanks to this effect, the torsion bar suspension creates more comfortable conditions for car passengers..

The vehicle's fully dependent suspension features a one-piece beam with an integral gearbox and axle shafts that drive the rear wheels. The structure is supported by a system of reaction rods and is supported by springs with shock absorbers. Unlike the previous version, the undercarriage is designed for rear-wheel drive vehicles.

In trucks and commercial vehicles, the rear springs are replaced by a spring pack - elastic steel plates. The middle of the spring assembly rests on the beam, and the ends on the body brackets. The design is designed for the transportation of heavy loads: the more sheets are involved in the package of springs, the higher the carrying capacity of the vehicle.

Interesting fact. The popular Mercedes Sprinter minibus is equipped in front with a single spring installed across the body. Moreover, the original part is made of plastic.

Multi-link option

The design of this type of suspension has a certain similarity with the double wishbone system, only more perfect. The bottom line is the following: the wheel hub rests on several levers, allowing you to successfully damp vibrations from multidirectional influences. The advantages of such a device are undeniable:

• complete independence of each wheel;
• excellent grip on the road surface;
• increased comfort and controllability of the car;
• reliability and durability of assemblies due to the distribution of the load on several parts.

The disadvantage of a multi-link suspension is the complexity that leads to an increase in the cost of repair... Most often, you have to change hinges and rubber bushings, less often - silent blocks. In various car brands, the structure is found on the front and rear axles.

Suspension adaptive and "De Dion"

Both designs are varieties of other car suspensions. A feature of the "De Dion" variant is the rear axle main gear reducer, which is installed separately from the crossbeam and other parts of the chassis. The transmission element is bolted to the body with its own fasteners, and from it the axle shafts are connected to the wheel hubs.

Such a technical solution allows you to thoroughly relieve the rear suspension of the car and improve its working conditions. A separate gearbox is introduced by manufacturers in conjunction with a beam or a multi-link system.

The idea behind the adaptive suspension is to automatically adapt to road conditions, vehicle load, driving speed, and so on. For this, the traditional design has been supplemented with the following elements:

• electronic control unit;
• pneumatic cylinders instead of springs;
• active type shock absorbers;
• adjustable stabilizer;
• set of sensors.

Based on the sensor signals, the unit controller controls the operation of the struts and the stabilizer, and also adjusts the size of the clearance. The adaptive scheme is quite expensive, but it is the most effective of all types of suspensions. Height-adjustable bellows are also used in truck suspension.