How Automotive Suspension Systems Work

Here's the basics on how the two main types of automotive suspensions work - Double Wishbone and MacPherson.
The purpose of a car's suspension is to support the weight of a vehicle, keep good tire contact with the ground and absorb any impacts when driving over road imperfections.
Modern suspension systems make use of various geometry to handle this task, each with its own pros and cons. In this video, the suspension from a MacPherson strut vehicle is described, taken apart part by part and explained. It is then compared to the suspension of a car with double wishbone suspension.
At the end of the video, a live comparison is presented between the two suspension types as the vehicles drive down the road.
The main components of a suspension are the control arms, strut (or spring and shock absorber), ball joints, and steering knuckles. The arrangement of these components form various geometrical relationships which can be categories and related to wheel motion as a vehicle navigates a corner or rides over a road imperfection.
The vehicles demonstrated in this video are a 2001 Toyota Corolla a 2007 Lexus GS350, and a 2004 Toyota Camry.
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The toothbrush is a vital piece in these videos.

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Factual, to the point, no screaming, no fuss, well done!

[@speedkar99]

Thanks

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The best teardown and explanation ever

[@speedkar99]

+Charles Fu thanks. One more coming tonight

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I've watched many of your videos, and you are perhaps the best teacher on ANY subject I have ever seen! This strut-versus-wishbone comparison just could not be explained any better by anyone.

[@speedkar99]

Thanks! I'm glad you appreciate my work. I have a video coming up on Multi-link suspension which is a whole different beast.

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[@speedkar99]

+iPervy Looking back, I did pack alot of info in, and it might be overwhelming for someone who doesn't know much about suspensions. I deal with this everyday so it's second nature to me now. Thanks

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[@speedkar99]

+ZarMulix thank you I appreciate your comments and feedback, and your right I try to present the very basics of how something works to give the viewer an overall idea, while not boring them with too much details.

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+cv pec Agreed Sometimes a practical approach is needed to under stand how things work

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I'm glad my video helped you decipher

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Lowkey the best Macpherson strut explanation video on KZbin. Concise and simple but non-lacking. The explanation for the natural disadvantage of camber change and even deviation from the ideal angle for grip in all situations is the only one that makes sense for someone that comes from a place of 0 knowledge. I am a lay person, not in mechanical engineering college, trying to learn the ins and outs of cars, quick, through YT videos, for the purpose of making a physics-based model for a game, while coming from absolute 0 knowledge and investing 0 money and having no "live model". We can learn a surprising amount this way, but there are obvious limitations to not having a teacher and book that explains parts, angles and mechanics. I never learned the actual turning of the structure happens at the top of the strut in a ball bearing up until this video, even though there are countless videos on macpherson that "explains all the basics".

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Best explanation on the whole internet probably.

[@speedkar99]

Probably

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It is so great to see the suspension pieces in action, thank you very much sir!

[@speedkar99]

+Dominic Fong It sure is, that amazed me too! Thanks

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The systems aren't complicated...we just need to take time to understand it

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[@speedkar99]

Thanks for the appreciation

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[@speedkar99]

You are welcome

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[@speedkar99]

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Toothbrush fit the theme. Explanation was on point. A very low budget/highly accurate video!

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Thanks !

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[@speedkar99]

Greetings from a Canadian mechanical engineer

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[@speedkar99]

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You are welcome Magical Fart. Short and to the point is my style!

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+Nelson Nwumeh thanks! Suspension is my thing...it's what I deal with everyday!

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Awesome, glad you liked the video style and understand suspensions. Check out my multi-link video

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+uguzg uzfgvuzjh Thanks for your feedback!

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Wow great video, like the shots of the Macpherson and Double Wishbone actually moving and driving. Thanks for your hard work!

[@speedkar99]

Thanks. Took a bit of setup with the action camera to get those

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Well down mate, well explained. And thanks for the Free body diagram, made it much easier to understand why bushes wear out.

[@speedkar99]

Yep the fbd is interesting to analyze and understand suspension forces and why things are designed as such

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[@speedkar99]

Glad you enjoyed it. Stay tuned for more suspension videos, I'm working on a multi-link next

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Oh and using the spent toothbrush is a nice touch. Like it. :)

[@speedkar99]

+Daniel San Pedro everyone seems to be attracted to my brothers toothbrush

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[@speedkar99]

Thanks. Looking forward to more in the weeks and months to come with my new G35 project

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thank you for your explanation and knowledge of this video.

[@ilovecubes8598]

Speedkar, I agree as others stated, awesome video--because the good information! And way to go illustrating it so clearly. It also helps me realize my 2001 CR-V (with similar double wishbones) front end maintenance is imperative for safety!

[@speedkar99]

+Richard Dolesh Thanks - yes especially those older Honda's with loaded lower ball joints - do routine check for play or wear when you rotate tires - taking a chance means the wheel could end up in the fender with is dangerous

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Beautiful explanation. Thank you!

[@speedkar99]

You are welcome!

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Wow, this I love this video so much! You explain things very simply and yet very thoroughly and detailed! I appreciate it so much I learned a lot very easily and I appreciate that you showed us the two most used systems instead of just one! And thank you for showing it in action! I appreciate your making this for us!

[@speedkar99]

You are welcome!

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+Ghazi Sarhan I'm glad you subbed as well, enjoy!

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I'm glad you appreciate my efforts here

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I'm glad you found it helpful

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The fact that there was a toothbrush, makes this video even better.

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Haha glad you enjoyed my brothers contribution

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You are welcome

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You are welcome!

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Thanks..agreed!

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[@speedkar99]

You are welcome. More to come on multi-link later this season

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I'm glad you understood it...I thought some would find it confusing

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[@speedkar99]

+Daniel San Pedro I really appreciate your feedback, short, easy to understand videos are my goal. Thanks

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You are welcome

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[@speedkar99]

+Arvind Kumar thanks for your kind feedback...that's my style 😉

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[@speedkar99]

Thanks, I'm glad you could take away something from this video! I have alot more teardowns like this, explore and enjoy.

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