Rear suspension
along with front suspension keeps the wheel of the car attached to the road
and gives comfort and bump free ride and better control of the vehicle. For
different types of vehicles different types of rear suspension are
available. Some of the rear suspensions that are popularly used are as
follows:
Dependent Rear Suspensions
In a case where a solid axle connects the rear wheels of a car, then the
suspension may be based on either a leaf spring or a coil spring. In leaf
spring design, both the leaf spring and the drive axle are closely clamped.
The shock absorber of the suspension is attached at the clamp holding the
spring to the axle whereas to the frame, leaf springs are attached directly.
In some suspensions leaf springs can be replaced by coil spring to get the
similar design.
Independent Rear Suspensions
In the cars having independent rear suspension, the wheels are mounted and
sprung individual. The independent rear suspension consist of upper and
lower tubular steel wishbones, a toe control link, and a concentric coil
spring/telescopic damper unit. The wishbones make the use of bonded rubber
pivot bushes which helps in providing maintenance free articulation and
suppresses noise and vibration The shock absorber or the damper unit is
fitted with the damper rod in order to minimize the unsprung weight. Some of
the other component of the rear suspension includes hubs and hub bearings,
top and bottom swivel joints, and some wishbone pivot bushes.
Semi-independent rear suspension systems
Semi independent rear suspension system are used mainly in front wheel
drive vehicles. The cross member, utilized by the system provides not only
semi-independent movement, but also a stabilizer effect.
Live axle rear suspension systems
Live axle rear suspension system are used on rear and four wheel drive
vehicles. These systems comprises of leaf or coil springs that are used
along and in conjunction with the live axle, wheel bearings and brakes
operating as a unit.
