3.2 Suspension system

• explain functions of the suspension system of a light vehicle
• describe types of suspension systems used in light vehicles
• identify components of suspension systems used in light vehicles
• describe the operation of suspension system of a light vehicle
• service the suspension system of a light vehicle
• appreciate the role of suspension systems in a light vehicle

“Why are different types of suspension systems used in light vehicles?”

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1. What the suspension carries
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   State the jobs of a light-vehicle suspension and share a classroom axle load between the wheels.
2. The rigid axle
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Describe a rigid axle and say how one wheel moves the other on the same beam.
3. Each wheel on its own
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Describe independent suspension and name double wishbone, a strut and a torsion-bar arm.
4. Why the types differ
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Match a rigid axle and an independent suspension to the job a light vehicle has to do.
5. The leaf spring pack
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Name the leaves, centre bolt, U-bolts, rebound clips, eyes and shackle on a leaf spring.
6. Coil rate and energy
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Calculate coil force and stored energy for a single-rate spring, and check the energy a second way.
7. The torsion bar
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Describe a torsion bar and use a linear classroom model to find the twist at another load.
8. The damper
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Explain that a damper resists the speed of movement, and scale a linear classroom damper.
9. Arms, links and bushes
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Describe how control arms and links aim the wheel, and how a bush allows that movement.
10. The stabilizer bar
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Explain the stabilizer, also called the anti-roll bar or the sway bar, and when it twists.
11. Bump, rebound and roll
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Trace one bump, the return, and a roll through a rigid leaf axle and an independent front.
12. What to inspect
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Inspect dampers, springs, centre bolts, U-bolts, rebound clips and bushes, and judge a ride-height difference.
13. Leaf-spring bushes
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Replace a leaf-spring bush with the axle supported, and tighten the rubber at ride height.
14. Link bushes and grease
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Replace a stabilizer-link bush and grease only a nipple or a point the card names.
15. Bolts, clips and the bay
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Replace a centre bolt, a U-bolt and a rebound clip under the teacher, and keep a failed spring in the bay.