Assoc. Prof. PhD.

Nguyễn Văn Nhận

ENGLISH FOR SPECIFIC

PURPOSES FOR AUTOMOTIVE
STUDENTS

Lesson ESP 8
TYPES OF SUSPENSION SYSTEMS

Đà Nẵng – 2023
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1. GENERAL CLASSIFICATION OF SUSPENSION SYSTEMS

Automotive suspension systems may be broadly classified as front and
rear, dependent and independent suspensions.
In our study of specific suspension systems, we will look at following
basic designs commonly used in late-model cars and trucks :
 Beam-axle suspensions
 Strut suspensions
 Short-long-arm (SLA) suspensions
 Strut/Short-long-arm (strut/SLA) suspensions.
2. BEAM-AXLE SUSPENSIONS
A beam-axle suspension, also called rigid-axle suspension or solid-axle
suspension, is a dependent suspension in which a set of wheels is connected
laterally by a single beam or shaft.

Fig. 2.1. Beam-Axle Suspension

Beam-axle suspensions are simple and strong, the technology involved in
designing them is established and familiar, and their handling characteristics
are adequate for the vehicles that use them.
The most obvious problem with a solid suspension is that it gives a rough
ride over uneven roads because it tends to cause wheel tramp and shimmy.
When one wheel on a solid axle goes over a bump in the road, the entire axle
tilts and shifts more weight onto the outer tire, compressing it. When the axle
straightens, the compressed tire rebounds (tramp). The axle transmits the force
of the rebound to the opposite wheel, and both wheels bounce back-and-forth
(shimmy).

Assoc. Prof. PhD. Nguyễn Văn Nhận - Dong A - 20

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As a general rule, only rugged or heavy duty vehicles use solid-axle

suspensions. While large, weighty parts may be suitable for heavy duty vehicles,
they are impractical for cars or trucks built for fuel economy.
3. STRUT SUSPENSIONS
A strut is a sturdy shock absorber that is a structural component of the
suspension.
There are three main suspension designs that use struts, which are :
 MacPherson strut suspensions
 Modified strut suspensions
 Strut/short-long-arm (strut/SLA) suspensions.

3.1. MACPHERSON STRUT SUSPENSIONS

MacPherson Strut is a strut in which a coil spring is integral to each strut
and the strut base mounts rigidly to the knuckle.

Fig. 3.1. MacPherson Strut Suspension

3.2. MODIFIED STRUT SUSPENSIONS
Since MacPherson struts were the first struts used in automobiles, they
were considered conventional, and technicians considered the next strut designs
a modification of the original and called it a modified strut.
A modified strut does not include a spring as part of the strut assembly. A
few cars have modified struts at the front, but usually rear suspensions use this
type of strut. A modified strut is like a MacPherson strut in that it is mounted on
the wheel knuckle or axle. Except for the lack of a spring and spring seats, its
construction and function are basically the same as those of a MacPherson strut.

Assoc. Prof. PhD. Nguyễn Văn Nhận - Dong A - 20

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4. SHORT-LONG-ARM & STRUT/SLA SUSPENSIONS

Short-Long-Arm (SLA) Suspensions, also called Double Wishbone
Suspensions or A-Arm Suspensions, were the nearly universal front suspension
in cars for many years, until strut suspensions took over most of the car market
in the 1980s. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, some carmakers began using
Strut/SLA Suspensions, which combine some characteristics of SLA and strut
suspensions.

Fig. 4.1. Strut/SLA Suspension

Independent front suspensions offer a number of advantages over solid
axles. In general, they :
 Provide a smoother ride over uneven roads
 Create less wheel shimmy and tramp
 Are more space-efficient
 Weigh less.
When one wheel in an independent suspension goes over a bump, it can
travel vertically without affecting the opposite wheel. Since there is no axle
beam to transfer motion from one wheel to the other, independent suspensions
do not have the problems with wheel shimmy and tramp that plague solid
suspensions.

Assoc. Prof. PhD. Nguyễn Văn Nhận - Dong A - 20

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ASSIGNMENTS
A. ESSAY TYPE ASSIGNMENTS
The following assignments must be done in writing.
A8.1. What is a specialist term in Vietnamese for "axle" and what does it mean ?
A8.2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of beam-axle suspensions
?
A8.3. Why would be desirable to use beam-axle suspensions instead of
independent ones in the rugged or heavy duty vehicles ?
A8.4. What is a independent suspension ? Why do most small late-model cars
use independent suspensions ?
A8.5. Select Vietnamese technical terms that are considered to be closest in
meaning to the below-given English ones, respectively :
No. English Vietnamese
1) A-Arm Suspension
2) Antiroll Bar
3) Beam-Axle Suspension
4) Control Arm
5) Dependent Suspension
6) Double Wishbone Suspension
7) I-Beam Axle
8) Independent Suspension
9) MacPherson Strut
10) MacPherson Strut Suspension
11) Modified Strut
12) Rigid-Axle Suspension
13) Shaft
14) Short-Long-Arm Suspension
15) Solid Axle
16) Solid-Axle Suspension
17) Strut / SLA Suspension
18) Strut Suspension
19) Suspension Strut
20) Tubular-Beam Axle

Assoc. Prof. PhD. Nguyễn Văn Nhận - Dong A - 20

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B. OBJECTIVE TYPE QUESTIONS

Choose the single most correct answer.
B8.1. Technician A says that suspension extension is known as 'bounce'.
Technician B says that suspension compression is called 'jounce'.
Who is correct ?
A. A only B. B only
C. Both A and B D. Neither A nor B
B8.2. Solid rear axles are :
A. Inexpensive B. Simple
C. Strong D. All of the above
B8.3. An independent suspension uses which of the following ?
A. Stub axles B. Tube axle
C. I-beam axle D. Solid axle
B8.4. Which is the most common front suspension on late-model cars ?
A. Beam axle B. Strut
C. SLA D. I-beam
B8.5. A modified strut suspension differs from a MacPherson strut
suspension in which of the following ways ?
A. It has no antiroll bar
B. It uses torsion bars
C. The coil spring is not integral with the strut
D. The strut does not attach to the body or frame
B8.6. In which of the following ways does a strut/SLA suspension differ
from a MacPherson strut suspension ?
A. It uses torsion bars
B. The coil spring is not integral with the strut
C. The base of the strut has a pivot
D. The top of the strut has a pivot

Assoc. Prof. PhD. Nguyễn Văn Nhận - Dong A - 20

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B8.7. The control arms of a strut/SLA suspension connect to the knuckle

through :
A. Antiroll bars B. Ball joints
C. Metal bushings D. Strut rods
B8.8. Strut/SLA suspensions are used in :
A. FWD cars only B. RWD cars only
C. Heavy trucks only D. Both FWD and RWD cars
B8.9. A transverse link, joined to the frame at one end and the beam
axle or axle housing at the other, is called .
A. an axle rod
B. a Panhard rod
C. a MacPherson strut
D. a trailing arm
B8.10. Technician A says that ball joints are suspension couplings that
allow suspension compression. Technician B says that bushings are
suspension couplings that allow suspension compression. Who is
correct ?
A. A only B. B only
C. Both A and B D. Neither A nor B

----- The End -----

Assoc. Prof. PhD. Nguyễn Văn Nhận - Dong A - 20