Understanding car suspension system

Understanding car suspension system

For every one that drives cars daily, the suspension system is something they can’t scoff at. The suspension system prevents too many unwanted jerks in the car during a rough road drive. Also, in the long run, it helps to prevent major ailments like permanent back injuries.

In today’s post, we will make you understand the car suspension system and how it works.

 What Is A Suspension?

The suspension system is a part of an automobile that negates most of the forces that your car gets from driving on the road which ensures that the cabin stays still. The suspension deals with small rocks and big potholes on the road. Note that this is a normal understanding of what it does.

A suspension is to only provide a cushion when a bump or a crack appears on the road. Though it does much more than that, it makes it easier to drive a car.

The Job Of A Suspension 

As said before, the work of a suspension is to provide comfort to the cabin. It makes sure the car stays in contact with the ground and that the driver has control over the tires. So how does it do this? This is going to take a while to understand, but first, let’s know why it’s important.

The Importance Of Your Car’s Suspension

As mentioned earlier, the car’s suspension system is responsible for smoothing out the ride and keeping your car in control. Meaning that the suspension system maximizes the friction between tires and road which provides steering stability and handling control. It also brings comfort to passengers by limiting the impact of rough road conditions.

Your suspension system is made up of several components which include the chassis, which holds the cab of your car. While springs support the vehicle’s weight and absorb and reduce excess energy from road shocks, along with the shock absorbers and struts. The last is the anti-sway bar which shifts the movement of the wheels and stabilizes the car.

Please note that your car’s suspension system must be in good condition. A worn suspension component may reduce the stability of your vehicle and reduce the driver’s control. It can also accelerate wear on other suspension system components. To replace worn or inadequate shocks and struts will help maintain good ride control, as they:

  • Can control spring and suspension movement
  • Can provide consistent handling and braking
  • Help prevent premature tire wear
  • Can help keep the tires in contact with the road
  • Help to maintain dynamic wheel alignment
  • Help to control vehicle bounce, roll, sway, drive, and acceleration squat
  • Can reduce wear on other vehicle systems
  • Help to promote even and balanced tire and brake wearhttps://kctimoauto.com/product-category/suspension/

 

The Working Of A Suspension System

The suspension system works on the principle of force dissipation which involves converting force into heat. This helps in removing the impact that the force would have made. However, it makes use of springs, dampers, and struts to achieve this. Meaning that a spring will hold the energy while a damper will convert it into heat.

Here are how they perform this step.

  • The Spring To Store The Energy

It is the job of a spring in a suspension system to store the energy that is generated when the car goes through a bump. Meaning a spring or a coil stores energy by compressing its size thus making any type of force into energy. However, the amount of energy spring can hold depends on a multitude of factors.

This includes and not limited to the length, the material of the spring, and the coefficient of the spring.

We have two types of springs used for suspension on a coil spring and a leaf spring. Though a coil spring is a common one which you might have seen. While a leaf spring is used on a solid axle normally in trucks and has very high energy storing capacity when compared to a coil spring.

A spring is good for providing a cushion. Meaning your car will keep on bouncing around which gives you no control over it. Whenever you speed up your car or whenever you take a corner, having only springs in your car will make it keep on moving back and forth

  • The Struts

Note that a combination of both struts is basically a damper wrapped in a coil spring. This is a structural component of a car in today’s models. This is no different than a coil spring and dampers, so there is not much to discuss.

 

Different Types Of Car Suspension

You need to understand the car suspension system. There are three types of suspension system, the double-wishbone, MacPherson strut, and the solid axle suspension. And all these suspensions have different advantages and are good in their respective uses.

  • The Double Wishbone / Double-A Arm Suspension.

This has two control arms in the shape of the letter A aptly named Double-A arm.

  • The MacPherson Struts 

This suspension was made by the man named Earle S. MacPherson in the year 1945.

  • The Solid Axle Car Suspension

This is mainly used for trucks and other heavy-duty vehicles, the solid-axle suspensions are placed on the back of vehicles. Its entire body weight is balanced on the suspension system. This is because they are heavy-duty and can withstand a lot of weight. Note that there are three multiple ways to use a solid axle suspension.

 

Conclusion on understanding car suspension system

Remember that the suspension system deals with small rocks and big potholes on the road. And as we said earlier, your car’s suspension system must be in good condition. Make sure your car’s suspension is in optimal shape, take it to an approved center for auto repair and maintenance.