A vehicle’s suspension system is an essential component of any truck. The suspension is made to accommodate any driving terrain to which the truck is subjected. The suspension system’s role in trucks makes it difficult to compromise its quality and durability. The market has different kinds of suspension systems that are made to function differently depending on the driving terrain. This guide will focus on the different types of suspension systems and how a truck suspension system works.
How A truck Suspension System Works
The Independent and the Solid Suspension
In an independent suspension, if a single wheel hits a bump or moves over debris, it will absorb the shock without transmitting it to the other wheel. Most vehicles, except the heavy-duty full-size truck, use independent suspension on the front axle.
The independent suspension offers the best ground clearance making it the best option for off-roading trucks. The excellent ground clearance comes in handy when driving on rugged terrain and keeps the belly of your truck safe from damage from stones and other obstacles.
The solid suspension has a bar that connects the wheel to the solid axle. When a single wheel on the solid suspension runs over a pothole, the wheel on the other side will feel the impact.
The solid suspension is relatively durable even though it does not give such a good ground clearance, but it is the best for rock crawler trucks.
Coil Spring And Leaf Spring Suspension
The coil spring suspension is standard in most trucks. They can fit in both the independent and the solid suspension. The coil spring has a variable spring rate, making it stiffer as it compresses. This quality makes the coil spring offer a smooth ride when your truck is loaded.
The ability of the coil spring to become stiffer with the weight of the load in your truck compromises its durability to the leaf spring.
The leaf spring is most common in solid axles at the rear of trucks. The leaf spring does the role of suspending the vehicle’s weight in its place and also holds your truck’s axle. Adding more leaves to the leaf suspension increases your truck’s stiffness and load-carrying capacity.
Torsion Bars
Torsion bars are unique suspension types the GM company uses for most of its trucks. The Torsion bars are compatible with the independent suspension. The torsion bars resist the wheel movement by twisting when they detect a wheel moving on a pothole or debris.
Air Springs
The air springs are composed of valves, air compressors, air lines, height sensors, and control modules. Air reservoirs and springs. Both the independent and the solid suspension can use the air spring. Such a suspension can lift your truck when driving on rugged terrain to offer more ground clearance. When going on high way, this suspension can lower your truck to increase fuel economy and stability.
Conclusion
Different kinds of suspension systems for your truck differ in structure and operation. These suspension systems offer different driving experiences in various terrains. It is necessary to choose the type of suspension which suits well your driving terrain.