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The Purpose of the Suspension
System is to allow
the vehicle to move forward
in a straight line with
a minimum of up and down motion,
and to isolate the
vehicle from the road surface.
There are a number
of different suspension system
styles.
Conventional Control Arm
This system uses a long lower and short upper
Control Arm.
The difference in length of the two arms allows
for a
minimum of tipping when the wheel drops into
a hole in
the road. In this system, the spring
is located between the
lower control arm and the frame. Each
control arm contains
a "ball joint" that allows the wheel spindle
and steering
knuckle to swivel. In this system, the
lower
ball joint
carries the weight of the vehicle.
In this Control Arm suspension, the spring is between the upper
Control Arm and the frame. this allows for a more compact
arrangment and can also allow room for a front wheel drive
axle. In this case, the upper ball joint carries the
weight
of the vehicle.
MacPherson Strut
The MacPherson Strut suspension system uses a shock abosorber
strut and a coil spring to replace the upper control arm.
This
provides a more compact and lighter suspension system that
can be used for front wheel drive.
Modified Strut
The Modified Strut suspension system uses a shock absorber
strut to replace the upper control arm, but still has the spring
located between the lower control arm and the frame. This
system is often used on higher performance vehicles, where
additional support is needed because of higher engine weight.
Twin I-Beam
Ford light trucks and full size vans used this Twin I-Beam
system to
provide a heavy duty front suspension system that still provides
independant front wheel action.
Stabilizer Bars
A U-shaped steel bar is fastened to the two lower control
arms and at two points on the frame. As the vehicle attempts
to lean during cornering, the U-shaped bar controls the amount
of lean due to the twisting force on the bar. All vehicles
use
a Stabilizer Bar of some type at the front, and may use one at
the rear suspension as well. These are also known as
anti-roll or sway bars.