Different types of suspensions used in Cars

Suspensions connect the wheels of a vehicle to the vehicle body and when we travel through bad stretch of roads it is the suspension helps us to keep going in comfort. In this post I will explain about different types of suspensions used in vehicles

There are mainly 3 types of suspensions- Independent, Non independent and Semi Independent suspension . Lets have a look at each one.

Independent Suspension

In independent suspension wheels are connected to the body using 2 links , one upper link and one lower link.

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  Independent suspension-Normal situation

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  Independent suspension – Wheel on a rock

In independent suspension wheels are not connected together so that the movement of one wheel doesn’t affect the another wheel. For example suppose the right side wheel falled in to a pothole in the road , that doesn’t affect the left side wheel and the vice versa also. Suppose the left side wheel get in to a stone or rock that doesn’t affect the right side wheel also.

Independent suspensions are mainly used in the front wheels of passenger vehicles , thus improves the travelling comfort, ride and handling and stability of the vehicle.

Part used to absorb shocks in independent suspensions are shock abosrbers and coil springs or both together(Called Macpherson strut)

Non Independent Suspension

In non independent suspension wheels are connected together using a strong axle(Rigid link axle).

In non independent suspension as the wheels are connected together movement of one wheel affects the other wheels also. For example If one of the wheels get in to a rock/hump on the road it make the entire vehicle to change its angle as shown in the image. These type of suspensions are mainly used in commercial vehicles , thus improving ability of vehicle to carry load.

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  Non independent suspension-Normal state

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  Non independent suspension- Wheel on a rock

Leaf springs are parts used along with the non independent suspension to absorb the shocks from road.

Semi Independent suspension

In semi independent suspension both wheels are connected together using a flexible metallic link like torsion beam.

This type of suspensions are usually used in the rear wheels of passenger car. Here movement of one wheel slightly affects the other wheel. Means both are connected but the connection is made using a flexible link so if one of the wheel gets in to a pothole it will some how affect the other wheel also.

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  Torsion beam which connects both rear wheels(Semi independent suspension)

There are some parts which are used along with the suspensions that are

• Coil springs
• Leaf springs
• Shock absorber
• Anti roll bar
• Mcpherson strut(Combination of Coil spring and shock absorber)

Coil Spring

Coil springs are used along with the suspension to absorb the shock from roads and coil spring is used along with all types of suspensions like Independent, non Independent and Semi Independent suspensions. Coil spring oscillates fast.

Shock Absorber/Damper

Shock absorber is also used along with all types of suspensions like Independent, non independent and semi independent suspensions. Shock absorber/damper oscillate slowly.

McPherson Strut

Mcpherson strut is a combination of both Shock absorber and Coil spring, Coil spring oscillate very fast and Shock absorber oscillate slowly so when both of them not used together will make the journey uncomfortable. Here in McPherson strut Coil spring won’t allow the shock absorber to be slow and shock absorber won’t allow the coil spring to be fast so when used together it will give optimum comfort to the travellers inside

Anti roll bar

Anti roll bar is also called as stabiliser bar which stabilises the compression of suspension at the time of cornering of a vehicle. At the time of cornering vehicles tend to change its angle . In this condition the Anti roll bar won’t allow the suspension to get twisted above the particular limit and it will immediately make the position of suspension to normal.