Suspension and Chassis
You might see a lot of car commercials talking about front and rear
suspension but you have no idea what they're talking about. Don't worry, you're not alone. This guide will help you understand the inner workings of a car's suspension and why it's just another important part to the overall well being of your car. Caring about your car equals safe and happy driving.
How It All Works
The chassis generally refers to the frame of a car plus all the important stuff like the
tires and the road. A car with good suspenion will provide you with excellent steering and make sure you don't feel every pebble and tiny bump in the road. It also makes for smooth movement when turning corners. Let's take a closer look at some of those parts!
* '''Springs''' spring'>coil spring, is to absorb the wheel's motion.
**
Leaf springs have several layers of metal bound together. They are used on trucks and other large vehicles.
**
Torsion bars twist along the wheel's axis to give the same effect as a spring.
**
Air springs use air to absorb the wheel's vibrations.
* '''Dampers''' absorber'>shock absorber, or
snubber.
** Another way to absorb shock is through a
strut. A strut is mounted inside a coil spring.
** Worn shocks and struts can severely impact your
brakes so alwalys make sure they're working.
* '''Antisway bar is a rod that joins each side of your suspension and keeps the car from swaying back and forth.
* '''Front Suspension''' - Most cars today use independent suspension which means each wheel can move independently of each other.
** The
MacPherson strut is often used and combines a shock absorber and a coil spring in one unit.
** Double wishbone suspension, made up of a
idler arms.
* '''Rear Suspension''' - Dependent suspension means the two back wheels are connected by an axle.
** Independent suspension means the wheels are not connected and they are made the same way as independent front suspension.
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