When buying a car, they are usually guided by engine power, trunk volume, interior trim. However, this is not the whole car: it is the suspension that creates safety and driving comfort. On modern cars, several types of suspensions are used, each of which is designed for use in specific conditions.
The suspension of a modern car is a complex design, which implies the presence of elements of mechanics, pneumatics, hydraulics and even electronics. The successful combination of several systems allows you to comfortably drive the car, not to feel the unevenness of the road. Another task of the suspension is to tie the car body and its wheels into a single whole. At the dawn of automotive engineering, only the dependent suspension was known. Later, a more successful independent, semi-independent system was developed. They both have their pros and cons.
Independent suspension
Here both wheels are not connected in any way or their influence on each other is insignificant. One of the most striking "representatives" of such a system is the Zhiguli linkage front suspension (classic). The wheel is suspended on a pair of levers, the outer ends of which are connected to the wheel by means of hinges, and the inner ends are attached to the car body. Such a system has good wheel kinematics. The disadvantages include a low suspension travel, difficulties in mounting on front-wheel drive cars.
Another option for an independent suspension was proposed by engineers from Mercedes. The design includes 5 tubular levers; 2 of them support the wheel, and 3 give the desired position in space. Such a multi-link system has good advantages in terms of kinematics - it is comfortable to drive the car at any speed. The suspension is quite expensive, therefore it is installed mainly on the executive category cars.
But the MacPherson system is rightly considered the "bestseller" in the family of independent suspensions. Here, the lower arms are also attached to the body, but the front arms have essentially turned into spring supports and struts. From the point of view of consumers, this design, in comparison with the "Zhigulevskaya", is not more comfortable. Plus - in fewer parts, which is important for manufacturers. The MacPherson strut mounts in front-wheel drive vehicles. Initially, this system was designed for "small cars and good roads." Therefore, driving with such a suspension on a broken road surface leads to destruction of both the suspension and the body.
Semi-independent suspension
It takes an intermediate place between independent, dependent systems. Structurally, it is a pair of trailing arms, fastened by a cross member. The use of this type of suspension is possible only at the rear - it is installed on almost all front-wheel drive vehicles. Among Russian cars, these are the VAZ2108-VAZ2115 models. The advantage of such a suspension is good kinematics, low weight, and simple design. Minus - limitation on the possibility of installation, - just not the driving rear axle.
As a result, it can be concluded that semi-independent and independent suspensions are used. The first option is ideal for the rear axle of front wheel drive vehicles. The second type of suspension must be selected in accordance with the operating conditions; if these are good roads, then MacPherson will do; if you are supposed to ride on bumps, then it is better to choose a suspension with wishbones. If there are enough funds, and the trips will be made on high-quality road surface, then you can choose a multi-link system.
