Classification of Automobile Suspension

2.6. Types of Automobile Suspension Geometry / System:

According to Fittings:

1. Front Axle Suspension System

2. Rear Axle Suspension System

According to Construction: (most known)

1. Rigid / Conventional / Dependent Suspension System

2. Semi-Independent Suspension

3. Independent Suspension System: -

 a. Swing axle.

 b. Sliding pillar.

 c. MacPherson strut / Chapman strut.

 d. Wishbone arm system à Single or Double wishbone

 e. Multi-link suspension.

 f. Trailing arm suspension à Semi-trailing arm

 g. Swinging arm.

 h. Transverse Leaf springs.

According to Medium:

Air Suspension

Hydraulic Suspension

Hydro-pneumatic Suspension

A rigid/solid axle is one in which wheels are mounted at either end of a rigid beam so that any movement of one wheel is transmitted to the opposite wheel causing them to steer and camber together. Solid axle / dependent construction, the axle beam and wheel assemblies are connected to the car by leaf springs and direct or in-direct shock absorber. 

A dependent suspension normally has a beam or live axle that holds wheels parallel to each other and perpendicular to the axle. When the camber of one wheel changes, the camber of the opposite wheel changes in the same way (by convention on one side this is a positive change in camber and on the other side this a negative change). Road irregularities are encountered by one wheel is partially passed on the other wheel.

In a semi-independent suspensions, the wheels of an axle are able to move relative to one another as in an independent suspension but the position of one wheel has an effect on the position and attitude of the other wheel. This effect is achieved via the twisting or deflecting of suspension parts under load. The most common type of semi-independent suspension is the twist beam.

Independent suspensions allow each wheel to move vertically without affecting the opposite wheel. Independent suspension usually operates through heavy-duty coil springs, torsion bars and double acting shock absorbers. Road irregularities are encountered by one wheel is absorbed by that wheel only.