Types of Suspensions - List of different types of suspensions (2024)

Have you ever wondered why you can stay comfortable in your car even over long distances? You might think that seats, sure, car seats play a role, but none more so than the suspension of your car. Yes, that mess of springs and shock absorbers you see stuck under the car makes your ride smooth. Your car's suspension absorbs shocks or impacts before they hit the frame, so you can drive comfortably. In addition, advanced suspension systems can adapt to the type of road and automatically configure themselves to turn bumpy roads into a walk in the park.

Before we take you through the different types of suspension, let's first look at the few components that are virtually the same across all types of suspension systems. These are:

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• Damper or shock absorber: Its function is to absorb road shocks and bumps. This is done by absorbing the kinetic energy transferred from the wheel to the frame and converting it into heat energy. That's why the dampers are filled with oil to keep them cool, as they continuously absorb the shocks from the road surface. A damper dampens the vibrations and prevents you from bouncing in the car.
• Coils or feathers:Coils also absorb shock and compress depending on the vehicle load. Coils and dampers usually go together to prevent body roll, ie. prevents the car from tipping over when cornering at high speed.
• ball joints:Since turning a car involves a lot of rotational forces, using a ball joint as an axis of rotation helps make the process smooth.
• Knee-arm:The wishbone, also called the wishbone, connects the suspension to the wheel. A very important part of the suspension system, a knuckle, acts as the meeting point for the suspension and wheel.

Suspensions vary by vehiclebody typesand sometimes even brands. Here are the eight common car suspensions you may encounter.

Multi-Link suspension

As the name suggests, this type of suspension has multiple links attached to the car frame and wheel assembly. These multiple links can adapt to any force applied to them, which is why they are also used in off-road vehicles. Multi-Link suspension systems are used on the rear tires to provide a very comfortable ride and good grip. During a sharp bend, this suspension ensures that your wheels remain on the ground. These types of suspensions are mainly seen in premium cars due to their complex construction, and any damage results in a time-consuming and expensive repair.

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Rigid axle suspension

The rigid axle suspension, also called beam axle suspension, has an axle that is perpendicular to the vehicle and is connected to the wheels via a wheel spindle and can be combined with leaf springs or coil springs. A rigid axle is very durable and can withstand a lot of load. Unlike most modern suspensions, the rigid axle suspension has a very simple design making it easy to repair and replace. This suspension and its modified versions are used in heavy-duty vehicles for their load-bearing capacity and in off-road vehicles for space saving and better articulation. However, these suspensions are not designed for high speeds and tight turns and will cause the vehicle to tip over if exposed to hard cornering.

Macpherson-schorsing

The Macpherson strut or suspension, developed by American automotive engineer Earle Macpherson, is one of the most commonly used suspension systems in cars. The Macpherson strut is widely used due to its simple design and ability to provide comfort and control while taking up little space. The feature that set it apart was the incorporation of control pins into the suspension itself, hence their use in the front suspension. The suspension consists of a damper, a control rod with two brackets and a control arm. The top mounting on the knuckle is connected to the damper, while the bottom is connected to the control arm, allowing the chassis and wheel to move simultaneously. The suspension can be adjusted to suit different vehicles and driving conditions.

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Independent suspension

The independent suspension is a suspension system that is applied to each individual wheel. This means that bumps experienced by one wheel are not affected by the other. therefore offers a very comfortable ride and control. The suspensions that use this system include Macpherson Strut, Double Wishbone Suspension and Multi-link Suspension.

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Rigid suspension – Leaf spring

Similar to beam axle suspension, rigid leaf spring suspension uses leaf springs acting as dampers instead of coil springs. Leaf springs are long bundles of spring material, primarily steel, that flex under pressure from the vehicle's axle. Leaf springs can carry a lot of weight without breaking a sweat, making them ideal for use in commercial vehicles. However, they are not intended for comfort, high speeds or tight turns and will cause the suspension to change the vehicle's handling if placed in these conditions.

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Wishbone suspension

The rear suspension consists of a steel arm, one end of which is hinged to the vehicle chassis and the other end to the rear axle, and a damper. Typically used on the rear of a vehicle, a drag suspension cannot be used for heavy vehicles as there is a chance of the arm being bent, which would hinder handling. The most common example of a Trailing Arm suspension is the rear wheel of a motorcycle.

Double Wishbone suspension

The double wishbone is one of the most advanced suspensions ever created and the most effective at smoothing out road imperfections. The double wishbone suspension consists of two A-shaped arms that resemble wishbones. Only found on independent suspensions, this setup provides greater control and comfort, even at high speeds and fast cornering. Due to their agility, stability and comfort, double wishbone suspension and its modified versions can be found on luxury cars, sports cars and racing cars.

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Air suspension

Air suspension or air springs are a type of suspension that uses air springs instead of conventional coils and dampers. These air springs can be filled with air using an air compressor and can also be deflated to adjust the ride height of the vehicle. Air suspension is one of the most comfortable and load-bearing suspensions and is therefore used on most luxury and sports cars. Due to their load-bearing capacity, they are also used on many trucks and buses. The air suspension is highly adaptive and, together with an on-board computer, can be adjusted to suit any height, load or passenger.

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