Car suspension facts for kids

Part of car front suspension and steering mechanism: tie rod, steering arm, king pin axis (using ball joints).

Van Diemen RF01 Racing Car Suspension.

Suspension is the system of tires, tire air, springs, shock absorbers and linkages that connects a vehicle to its wheels and allows relative motion between the two. Suspension systems must support both road holding/handling and ride quality, which are at odds with each other. The tuning of suspensions involves finding the right compromise. It is important for the suspension to keep the road wheel in contact with the road surface as much as possible, because all the road or ground forces acting on the vehicle do so through the contact patches of the tires. The suspension also protects the vehicle itself and any cargo or luggage from damage and wear. The design of front and rear suspension of a car may be different.

Images for kids

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  Part of car suspension system consists of shock absorber, axle, frame and spring

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  American carriage showcasing thoroughbrace suspension—note the black straps running across the side of the undercarriage

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  The front suspension components of a Ford Model T.

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  Henri Fournier on his uniquely damped and racewinning 'Mors Machine', photo taken 1902

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  Pneumatic spring on a semitrailer

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  Rear independent suspension on an AWD car.

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  This Grant I tank's suspension has road wheels mounted on wheel trucks, or bogies.

See also

In Spanish: Suspensión (automóvil) para niños