The suspension system of a vehicle absorbs the impact of rough roads, allowing for a comfortable and controlled ride. Early designs lacked suspension, causing discomfort and damage. Advances in technology led to the modern suspension system with shock absorbers and automatic bump damping.
A vehicle’s suspension system consists of shock absorbers, springs and, if applicable, torsion bars. As a vehicle travels over any type of road surface, it encounters bumps and drops on the roads, which are absorbed by the vehicle’s suspension system. By absorbing the effects of a rough road, the suspension system allows a vehicle’s occupants to remain comfortable and in control of the vehicle. If it weren’t for the suspension system, the vehicle could spin out of control from the severe impact of hitting a rigid chassis.
Some early vehicle designs did not incorporate a suspension system into the chassis. As such, the vehicles had an adverse reaction to the rough roads of the time. The occupants of these tough traveling cars suffered bumps and bruises when they were thrown through the confines of the vehicle. The vehicles themselves fell victim to the rough ride as parts were damaged due to the impact and lack of elasticity designed into the chassis.
As the automobile evolved around the world, the leaf spring suspension system was the first attempt to control the harsh ride associated with automobile travel. While the addition of the leaf spring proved to absorb some of the harsh driving characteristics, the vehicles reacted more like bouncing toys than adult transportation. When a vehicle encountered a strong bulge, the leaf springs absorbed the initial shock of the bulge; however, the springs continued to allow the weight of the vehicle to compress them, and uncontrollable bouncing ensued.
In an effort to control the rebound reaction to bumps, the shock was added to the suspension system. Shock absorbers were not the advanced marvels of today. The blows were actually friction blows and were made up of leather discs sandwiched between two metal arms. As the arms moved with the suspension, the leather disc provided friction, which stopped the vehicle from moving, thus controlling rebound.
Leaf springs gave way to coil springs and torsion bars as the evolution of the suspension system became the system used today. Advances in shock absorber technology have advanced to the point that the shock is one of the most critical components of the modern suspension system and not just an afterthought. Many vehicles now offer options such as automatic bump damping, which allows a vehicle’s on-board computer system to adjust the vehicle’s ride quality for the most comfortable ride possible.
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