Skip to content

Suspension d'un véhicule

What are the different types of vehicle suspension?

If you own a vehicle, whether it is new, rented or old, you must maintain it regularly. So, even if you are not a fanatic of mechanics, you have undoubtedly heard about the various elements that make up your vehicle and that you must regularly check such as brakes , tires , oil changes or suspension. Indeed, for your safety and comfort, it is important that the suspension of your vehicle is functional and in good condition. Do you want to know more about the suspension of your car, its role and the different types that exist? We explain everything you need to know about the suspension of a car in this article.

Vehicle suspension in detail

The composition of a vehicle’s suspension

You should know that your car’s suspension system is made up of a multitude of parts, the main ones being:

  • The steering knuckle, which supports and pivots the wheel. It serves as a connection between the suspension and the steering.
  • The suspension arm or control arm that attaches the steering knuckle to the vehicle’s frame.
  • The ball joints, which allow the control arm and steering knuckle to move vertically.
  • The suspension springs that allow the suspension arm and wheel to move up and down and thus the vehicle maintains contact with the road at all times.
  • Shock absorbers , which prevent the suspension springs from continually bouncing. 
  • Hydraulic fluid.

The role of a car’s suspension

The suspension of a vehicle plays a vital role in its handling. This system will connect the unsprung masses such as the wheels and others to the suspended masses such as the chassis, the engine, etc. Thus, the suspension allows the wheels to maintain maximum grip on the ground by absorbing the effects of shocks when you drive over obstacles such as a pothole or a speed bump, to improve driving and occupant comfort, to ensure the stability of the vehicle and good handling. In addition, it reduces mechanical fatigue and excessive wear of the various components of the car.

Signs of a faulty car suspension

You should stay alert for the various signs that indicate that your vehicle’s suspension is starting to wear out. Here are the main ones:

  • Your tires are worn unevenly. 
  • Your car swerves to the side when you take a turn.
  • Your vehicle seems to bounce when you drive over a bump or pothole.
  • The front of your car lowers when you brake.
  • Conversely, your car appears to be unbalanced towards the rear.
  • You hear a knocking noise when you turn. 

The different types of car suspension

There are many types of suspensions divided into two main families: non-independent suspensions or axles, the oldest system, and independent suspensions, installed today on the majority of vehicles, mainly at the front. The choice of a vehicle suspension system depends on the type of car (sports, touring, luxury, SUV, etc.), its weight and manufacturing costs.

The axles

There are two different types on the market:

  1. The rigid axle, also called a rigid bridge, is a non-independent system, since a guide crossbar connects the wheels together. It is an old model that is very little used nowadays.
  2. The H-shaped semi-rigid axle is often used for the rear axle of economical compact cars. Unlike the rigid axle, the torsion rear axle has a deformable crossbar that connects the wheels together.

Independent suspensions

On this type of suspension, each wheel is independent of the other, allowing the jolts to be contained on the same side. The main ones are:

McPherson type suspension
This is the most commonly used suspension system today for the front axle, mainly for city cars and compact cars, because it is a simple, inexpensive suspension that takes up little space transversely. On the McPherson suspension, each wheel can move vertically without influencing the other. It consists of a single suspension arm and a stabilizer bar called an anti-roll bar that keeps the wheel perpendicular to the ground.

Pseudo-McPherson suspension 
Like the McPherson suspension, it is widely used for the front axle, but what differentiates it is the use of a wishbone arm that maintains the alignment of the strut and provides wheel guidance instead of the anti-roll bar. The pseudo-McPherson suspension is also easy to install, inexpensive and space-saving in transverse direction.

Double wishbone suspension
Double wishbone suspension is mainly used on sports or high-end vehicle models. It is the most efficient suspension system that is also installed on racing cars. Double wishbone suspension consists of an upper wishbone and a lower wishbone to guide the wheel and adjust the anchoring of the various components in order to provide better stability and reduce body roll.

Multi-link suspension
It consists of several anchor arms, usually five, which allow each of the degrees of freedom of the wheel to be blocked independently, the vertical movement being managed by the shock absorber. It is a complex suspension system, difficult to manufacture and quite bulky, which is mainly used for sports vehicles or high-end sedans. The numerous arms, often four positioned transversely and one longitudinal, connect the wheel to the chassis, thus refining the guidance and improving the vehicle’s performance.

Do you want to have the suspension on your car inspected or replaced ? Don’t hesitate to contact the experts at Pneus Groupe Unik in Dorval. These professionals will be happy to inform you about the different types of suspension and which one will be best suited to your vehicle. In addition, they carry out inspections and all repairs of the suspension system on all types of cars with care and professionalism.