2. Index
Introduction to Suspensions
Struts
Camber
Steering Axis Inclination
What is a MacPherson Strut?
Advantages
Disadvantages
References
3. Introduction to Suspensions
Goal of a Suspension : 1. Comfort
2. Contact
3. Control
Components of a Suspension
1. Springs
2. Dampers (Shock Absorber)
4. SPRINGS
COIL SPRING
- Consists of a spiral
spring
- Usually mounted on
independent
suspensions
LEAF SPRING
- Consists of metal
plates enclosed
together
- Usually mounted on
solid axles
6. STRUTS
- Spring & Damper
combined together in
a single unit results in
the formation of a
Strut.
- Strut is a structural
component
- Eliminates need of
upper control arm
- MacPherson Strut is
the most commonly
used Strut
7. CAMBER
Angle of tyre with vertical axis of car
POSITIVE CAMBER
- Bottom of tyre inside,
Top of tyre outside
- Most vehicles use positive
camber
- Helps in Steering axis
inclination
NEGATIVE CAMBER
- Bottom of tyre outside,
Top of tyre inside
- Used in racing / off road
vehicles
- Wider stance
- Greater Stability
8. STEERING AXIS INCLINATION
- Positive camber helps to get a smaller scrub
radius
- Reduced effort at lower speeds
- Minimized tyre wear
- Wheel goes straight when steering is released
9. MACPHERSON STRUT
- MacPherson strut was developed by Earle .S.
MacPherson of General Motors in the year 1949
- It is a combination of a shock absorber
(Damper) & a coil spring as a single unit
- It is a type of car suspension that uses the axis
of the damper as the upper steering pivot
11. ADVANTAGES
- Cheaper & lighter than a double A or a
double wishbone Suspension
- Great for Front Wheel Drive (FWD)
cars as it provides space for the
driveshaft
- Low in Maintainance
- Narrower than a double wishbone
suspension
12. DISADVANTAGES
- Taller than a double wishbone suspension
- As it mounts directly to the body, unibody
structure is necessary to handle the stress
- It transmits sound and vibrations straight to the
body of the car
- Smaller camber changes during body roll
- No camber gain during Cornering as strut is
mounted directly to the body