A complete guide to know everything about the Suspension of your Car!
In earlier times, people tended to opt for cars according to their looks and how comfortable they were in accommodation. However, millennia of the era are now keen enthusiasts about the car and its functioning and see it as more than just a ‘carrier’. However, there are still some mechanisms that are important for a vehicle and the person who is using that vehicle. It almost becomes a necessity to understand how to work with those mechanics to make your ride more efficient as well as enjoyable.
What is Suspension?
One of the most important mechanisms in a vehicle is the ‘Suspension System.’ There are different types of suspension systems observed in our vehicles however, there are a handful of various types of suspensions as well. But first, the answer to the big question here in scientific terms could be:
Suspension is a wheel system that contains an axle, spring & frame. It supports the road holding as well as the quality of the ride. Its main work is to keep the road wheel in contact with the surface.
If we see, suspension enhances the quality of the ride. If all the roads had a polished surface, a suspension system was not required at all. But roads, across the world, have undulating nature so this system of suspension is crucial for any vehicle. It is like a shock-absorber.
When a car is exposed to a bump or undulation, the suspension allows your car to retain its position and keep the wheel-and-road contact intact.
Two broad categories:-
1. Dependent suspension system: There is a rigid linkage between the two tires the force acting on one wheel will affect the other one as well.
2. Independent suspension system: There are separate springs for both the wheel and thus allowing both of them to move separately while experiencing impacts.
Suspension is provided in the front cabin to reduce the intensity of the bumps for the driver. In new car models, the suspension is also provided in the rear cabin wheels to enhance the comfort experience.
Main Parts of Car Suspension:
- Springs: The spring is used by the suspension to store the energy in it. When we pump the car, it stores the energy by compressing its size.There are two types of springs such as leaf spring & coil spring.
- Coil spring is a common spring that is used in the vehicles
- Leaf spring is used in heavy body vehicles such as trucks because it has a solid axle.
- Damper: The Damper is used to convert the energy.The spring is used to store the energy after that the damper started working to absorb the energy. A damper having a small hole inside it is known as a piston. The piston started moving through the pressurized oil & the energy stored by the spring. This conversion of energy allows the car to jump on the road.
- Strut: It is a combination of spring & damper. Nowadays it is common to use in a Struts are a damper that is wrapped by the spring.
- Steering arm: It is the axis on which the steering wheel rotates.
How does a car suspension work?
The science behind the suspension is wonderfully specific. In the simplest terms, the automobile suspension system converts the jolt/force on an unpaved road into heat energy which reduces the shock for the driver and the passengers. This system works on springs, dampers, and struts that together work. The following steps explain the working of suspension in the simplest language:
- While driving, it is only obvious that the car comes in contact with bumps and undulations. Even on the smoothest roads, there are speed breakers that also act like a jolt providing object on a road.
- The suspension system comes into play as soon as the wheel of the vehicle comes in contact with the bump.
- The wheel, naturally, experiences a shock when it is hit on a ridge. The wheel’s drum (which is the core of the tyre, on which the tube is fixed) transfers this shock into the dampers, through the spring.
- The dampers play the role of conversion of the energy. From force in form of shock, it is converted into heat energy which is dissipated.
This is how the shock is absorbed and converted into heat.
Types of Car Suspension:
There are various types of car suspension systems. The following are the most common ones:
Wishbone type suspension: It is named wishbone because of its shape like a wishbone. it is also called a parallel Linked suspension system. it is the most popular and common type of suspension. It uses coil springs and the upper and lower wishbone arms.
McPherson Strut System: This system is also known as a single wishbone suspension system as it is having only one wishbone-like structure which is at the bottom. In this system, the spring is directly connected with the kingpin which is further connected to the steering rod which makes the system very less stable as compared to the others. It was first used in Maruti 800 (cc)
Trail Linking System: In the system, there is a helical coil arranged in a horizontal position instead of the vertical position. The end of the spring is fixed at a cross-linked member of the steering rod which is linked to the drum of wheels. When the wheels move up and down, the spring winds and unwind to absorb the shock. It is also known as Swinging Half axle suspension.
Problems in suspension systems
After knowing all about the suspension systems in our cars, a question that is often raised is that “What is the life of a suspension system?” or “How often does one need to get it upgraded?” the answer is dependable on the factors: Age of the vehicle, Model and Maintenance.
On average, the life of a suspension system can range from 50000 km to 80000km at best.
You must be wondering what causes car suspension problems?
Since a car suspension system is made up of many parts, several problems can occur anywhere in the suspension system. usually, hard impacts and significant bumps — like potholes or road obstructions — will lead to suspension problems or damages.
Signs of a damaged suspension can include drifting, pulling during turns, a rough ride that leaves you feeling every bump in the road, and a lurching forward motion when you stop.
There are some well-known aftermarket brands like Gabriel, Monroe, and Motherson. These brands are leading aftermarket Manufacturers of suspension, you can find easily these brand’s products in most stores today.
You will get good results after adding these brand’s products to your Vehicle because each product is designed perfectly to fit your product.
Labor Cost- Depending on the current market rate. Rs. 3000 to 5000 in Hatch Cars and Rs. 6000 -1000 for Sedan Cars for each suspension replacement.
If your car has an issue with both front and rear suspension, the cost will be High. ( Note- Mentioned prices are only for an idea for your information, prices may be changed according to market and location)
Suspension Prices – These brand’s markets rates are starting with approx. Rs 2500 to Rs. 10,000 depending on your Car and your market rate.
We at “Autoflipz” are providing Suspension replacement services at affordable prices. You can try our service also, we have pan India workshops and well-experienced Mechanics. We use well-known aftermarket and OEM spare parts and also Good customer support by which you can make your Car Perfect.
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