The class of the car and its cost have little to do with the durability of the suspension. Are you surprised? We are not. According to the latest rating of car faults, this time compiled by Polish mechanics, urban and compact class cars have the most durable suspension. At least, the Poles were convinced of this on their city roads.
Worn joints, shock absorbers, damaged bearings, corrosion - these are all, according to mechanics, the most common malfunctions in car suspension systems.
The worst in terms of durability steel suspension french cars, the best - Japanese cars (we emphasize that we are talking, most likely, about "left-handed" models, with "right-hand drive" cars the quality should be even higher). With German cars, not everything is so simple. Some models turned out to be hearty, others are better not to take.
Cracked suspension links, leaking shock absorbers, the car pulls to the side or the rear axle begins to steer in turns - suspension problems manifest themselves in different ways. Unfortunately, many drivers often underestimate the seriousness of the situation. Serious problems arise when you need to make a sudden, sharp maneuver to avoid hitting an obstacle or avoiding a collision. It is at the moment of overload that the final breakdown can occur. In this case, it will be problematic to keep the car on the road, and the scenario for getting out of the situation by the winner is sharply painted in black colors.
Polish experience useful for Russian motorists
According to colleagues from Poland, the average condition of the suspension on cars operated in the country can be estimated at 4.1 points on a 6-point scale. According to mechanics, the most common problems in a typical car are worn joints, shock absorbers, damaged bearings, and corrosion.
French cars were the weakest in terms of suspension
In the prepared rating, as we have already said, French cars received the weakest ratings. The last place was taken Megane III- interestingly, the second generation of this model was not much better, and the third place from the end was Renault Scene III.
Cars with the most unreliable suspension types
There were also many other surprises in the ranking. For example, the most popular models on the market are Volkswagen Passat B5(it has a fairly reliable suspension, but its complex front architecture and the cost of repairs reduce all comfort to nothing), (B6 and B7) and Audi A6 (C5) ranked near the end of the list, only 45th or so. Weak suspension strength rating positions complement Ford Mondeo third generation(47th place) and Peugeot - 207,407 and 307(39th place).
Cars with the most reliable suspension
Toyota Yaris turned out to be a city car with the hardiest suspension. The first place with an average rating of 4.9 was taken by the second generation of this model, and the second position belongs to its successor. Right behind them Honda Civic VIII and Volkswagen Golf IV.
More expensive car doesn't mean better?
Among cars worth up to PLN 10,000 (167 thousand rubles) mechanics rated the highest score - 4.5 - old Audi A3 8L. This model had the least number of suspension failures, and if they did occur, they were mostly due to problems in individual suspension components. The lowest score (3.5) in this price range was obtained Volkswagen Passat B5. The latter most often had difficulties in the operation of the suspension and with wheel bearings.
In the range from 10 to 20 thousand zlotys (167-335 thousand rubles) Toyota Yaris II(4.9) were not equal. His suspension was the best in the entire ranking. In this model, the mechanics did not find any faults. The worst in the considered price group was Audi A4 (B6 and B7)(3.7). She is not loved by both auto mechanics and car owners: she often breaks down, often requires intervention.
Among the most expensive cars included in the rating (price range from 335 thousand rubles to 500 thousand rubles), the best result (4.8), as in the second group, was taken by Toyota Yaris, only a newer model - the 3rd generation . A high rating does not mean, however, that the car's suspension is problem-free. Among the difficulties in the operation of this model were mentioned, for example, damage to the bearings or cracking of the springs. The big loser in this group is the Renault Mégane III (3.5), which also became the model with the lowest suspension score in the entire ranking.
Russian roads are not a test for the faint of heart, and daily movement on such a surface harms not only human nerves, but also the car. First of all, the suspension suffers, the repair of which costs substantial money by today's standards. That is why experts recommend choosing proven models that can withstand even the most severe operating conditions. Fortunately, such cars are found in sufficient quantities on the market, and they are not too expensive.
Renault Logan
French budget sedan is probably the most popular representative of this list. This car is extremely popular with taxi drivers due to its "survivability". The manufacturer equips the model with a very strong suspension and a high-quality engine, which, although it does not differ in modest fuel consumption, does not require systematic investments and complex repairs.
Nissan Almera
Another budget sedan that is in excellent demand in the Russian market due to its availability and reliability, despite the fact that sales in the Russian Federation have long been stopped. The Japanese suspension deserves special attention. It has a simple design, which is extremely reliable and practically does not fail. In addition to the “indestructible” hodovka, Almera is also equipped with an excellent machine gun that has served its owner for many years.
Skoda Octavia
The Czech car is also distinguished by a reliable chassis. Critics note its competent design and details of the highest quality. This is not surprising, because all elements are made of aluminum, which is known for its durability. However, it is the metal used that is also the disadvantage of the suspension due to its fragility. On serious potholes, parts quickly become covered with cracks. So it is not recommended to operate on serious off-road.
Hyundai Elantra XD
The Korean car also got into this rating. It is noteworthy that the XD suspension cannot be called very reliable, since knocks appear quickly enough with careless handling, but they do not affect the operation of the machine in the future. With repairs, you can wait, which is very much appreciated by our compatriots.
Chevrolet Lacetti
American suspension is very practical and reliable. She is not afraid of pits and bumps even with regular use. As practice shows, 5 years is not a period for Lacetti, so the cost of repairing a running car will be minimal.
Toyota Yaris
Owners of an urban Japanese small car may be surprised to see it in this rating, as they know firsthand how often it is necessary to change bearings in a “walker”. But experts believe that this is the only drawback of the design. Otherwise, its suspension is very reliable and practical. However, when she really needs repairs, it will cost decent money.
For most motorists, its reliability is largely determined by its reliability. The high cost of a vehicle is not always a guarantee of flawless operation without breakdowns. Both budget segment cars and premium cars fail. Only the latter are much more expensive to repair than the former.
Almost any modern car straight from a car dealership can drive, for example, 300,000 kilometers, with the only difference being the amount that will need to be invested in servicing the car during this sprint. Naturally, it is much easier and more practical to purchase not only a safe, but also a reliable car, where investing money in repairs will be minimal. Here it is enough to carry out scheduled maintenance on time, keep the car in frequency and order, and it runs for a very long time.
The situation in the car market
Thematic publications and magazines have repeatedly conducted research in this area and compiled specific tops, which included the most indestructible cars (the rating is presented below). Almost all more or less significant and large sales markets were studied - from the Celestial Empire to the European automobile industry. The picture was not the most rosy, but the researchers managed to identify a number of more or less reliable cars.
It is immediately worth noting that all representatives of this rating cannot be called budget, but it is understandable: the quality of workmanship has always been distinguished by an appropriate price, and confidence in the reliability of a vehicle simply cannot be cheap.
So, we present to your attention a list of cars, which included the most indestructible cars, according to experts in this field. All models can be seen live in the vastness of our country, touched in car dealerships, and purchased if desired. That is, there will be no exotics like Jaguars and Porsches here - all cars have adequate prices for their segment and are real for purchase, and they can also easily drive 300,000 kilometers without major repairs.
The most indestructible cars according to eminent thematic publications:
- Honda Accord.
- Toyota Camry.
- Honda Odyssey.
- Honda CR-V.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is not only a well-equipped good family sedan, but also the most indestructible car, and at a very reasonable price. The car proved to be excellent on the road and is easily controlled in any, even the most difficult conditions.
The interior of the car inspires respect and looks very solid. In addition, the interior turned out to be spacious, so there should not be any discomfort if three people of average build are in the back seat at once.
The most indestructible car entered the Russian market in two variations: with a 3.5-liter V6 engine and a 2.4-liter four-cylinder. A continuously variable gearbox consumes only 9 and 7.8 liters per 100 km, respectively, which is a very good indicator for a car of this class. As for reliability, neither the experts nor the owners have any questions here.
Toyota Camry
The "Japanese" have always been distinguished by attractive body features and increased rates of convenience with comfort, and the "Toyota Camry" is just a prominent representative of its race. In addition, the model received an enviable stigma as the most indestructible car.
The latest Camry line received a significant interior redesign, and the dashboard and interior became even more beautiful and ergonomic. The already reliable suspension has been further redesigned for the better: stability has been added, and the sound insulation of the undercarriage has been significantly increased.
Distinctive features of the car
The model arrived in Russia in several engine variations - from 1.8 liters to 3.5. The average fuel consumption of the Camry ranges from 9 liters per 100 km. The long and serious history of Toyota includes not only the beauty and complaisance of cars, but also reliability, which once again proves the Camry line. The model became so popular with the domestic consumer that they began to assemble it near St. Petersburg in the village of Shushary, naturally, with the knowledge and consent of the venerable concern.
Honda Odyssey
Unlike other minivans and frame cars, the Honda Odyssey is not just a vehicle for a reputable company, but a car with responsive and soft control, which is rare for a car of this class. Add here the high reliability of the chassis with a body and get the perfect option for a large family.
The car is equipped with a six-speed and 3.5-liter V6 engine. The average fuel consumption per 100 km fluctuates within 11 liters, which is very good for such a bulky and roomy car.
Auto Features
The most indestructible car can accommodate up to 8 passengers, but for proper comfort, you should not take on board more than seven people of average build. In addition, the body has the ability to transform for some cargo needs, which greatly expands the scope of the family minivan. It is also worth mentioning separately that the manufacturer has worked particularly meticulously on child seat mounts, where the problem of synergy between different models of seats is absent in principle, due to the variety of adaptive brackets.
The fly in the ointment here is not fully developed, which can only be dealt with by a savvy specialist or a person who has read an impressive manual from and to. Also, many owners complained about the quality of the interior trim, because the price of a minivan requires, if not leather, then at least another material of similar quality.
Honda CR-V
The CR-V model from the venerable Honda is a frame car with high reliability. In addition, the car has a spacious interior and an excellent functional set. In Russia, the model is available with two engine options - 2 and 2.4 liters. Both run on gasoline and have a CVT. The average fuel consumption per 100 km fluctuates within 10 liters, which is the envy of other gluttonous SUVs.
The car has practically no flaws, but many owners in their reviews complain about the stupid multimedia and entertainment system. Just like in the previous case, it is difficult to learn and sometimes behaves completely differently than we would like. Moreover, the system greatly distracts the driver while driving if it is turned on even at 50% (for passengers in the back seat).
Separately, it is worth noting the excellent handling of the car, despite the rigidity of the suspension. The car is obedient and easily controlled by the driver, even if it feels bumps in the road. Also, some owners are unhappy with the noise in the cabin, which this year's version could not get rid of. But this is the misfortune of all frame SUVs, so this moment can only be called critical with a stretch. So, in general, the model was a success, and the CR-V series can be described as the most indestructible cars.
“Madame, why, may I ask you, did you not put on the diamond pendants?” After all, you knew that I would be pleased to see them on you.
A. Dumas "Three Musketeers"
Recall: the whole set of parts and assemblies connecting the body or frame of the car with the wheels is called.
We list the main elements of the suspension:
- Elements that provide suspension elasticity. They perceive and transmit vertical forces that occur when driving over bumps in the road.
- Guide elements - they determine the nature of the movement of the wheels. Also, the guide elements transmit longitudinal and lateral forces, and the moments arising from these forces.
- damping elements. Designed to dampen vibrations that occur when exposed to external and internal forces
In the beginning there was a spring
The first wheeled ones did not have any suspensions - there were simply no elastic elements. And then our ancestors, probably inspired by the design of a small bow, began to use springs. With the development of metallurgy, steel strips learned to give elasticity. Such strips, collected in a package, formed the first spring suspension. Then the so-called elliptical suspension was most often used, when the ends of two springs were connected, and their middles were attached to the body on one side and to the wheel axle on the other.
Then the springs began to be used on cars, both in the form of a semi-elliptical design for dependent suspensions, and by installing one or even two springs across. At the same time, an independent suspension was obtained. The domestic auto industry used springs for a long time - on Muscovites before the advent of front-wheel drive models, on the Volga (with the exception of the Volga Cyber), and on UAZs, springs are still used.
Springs evolved along with the car: there were fewer leaves in the spring, up to the use of a single leaf spring on modern small delivery vans.
| Advantages of spring suspension | Cons of spring suspension |
|
|
spring suspension
Springs began to be installed at the dawn of the automotive industry and are still successfully used today. Springs can work in dependent and independent suspensions. They are used on cars of all classes. The spring, at first only cylindrical, with a constant coiling pitch, acquired new properties as the suspension design improved. Now they use conical or barrel-shaped springs wound from a bar of variable cross section. All so that the force does not grow in direct proportion to the deformation, but more intensively. First, sections of a larger diameter work, and then those that are smaller are turned on. Similarly, a thinner bar is included in the work earlier than a thicker one.
| | |
torsion bars
Did you know that almost any car with spring suspension still has torsion bars? After all, the anti-roll bar, which is now installed almost everywhere, is the torsion bar. In general, any relatively straight and long torsion lever is a torsion bar. As the main elastic suspension elements, torsion bars began to be used along with springs at the very beginning of the automotive era. Torsion bars were placed along and across the car, used in a variety of types of suspensions. On domestic cars, the torsion bar was used in the front suspension of the Zaporozhets of several generations. Then the torsion bar suspension came in handy due to its compactness. Now torsion bars are more often used in the front suspension of frame SUVs.
The elastic element of the suspension is a torsion bar - a steel rod that works in torsion. One of the ends of the torsion bar is fixed on the frame or load-bearing body of the car with the possibility of adjusting the angular position. At the other end of the torsion bar is the lower arm of the front suspension. The force on the lever creates a moment that twists the torsion bar. Neither longitudinal nor lateral forces act on the torsion bar, it works on pure torsion. By tightening the torsion bars, you can adjust the height of the front of the car, but the full suspension travel remains the same, we only change the ratio of compression and rebound travel.
shock absorbers
From the course of school physics it is known that any elastic system is characterized by oscillations with a certain natural frequency. And if a perturbing force with the same frequency still acts, then a resonance will occur - a sharp increase in the amplitude of the oscillations. In the case of a torsion bar or spring suspension, shock absorbers are designed to deal with these vibrations. In a hydraulic shock absorber, the dissipation of vibration energy occurs due to the loss of energy for pumping a special fluid from one chamber to another. Now telescopic shock absorbers are ubiquitous, from small cars to heavy trucks. Shock absorbers, called gas shock absorbers, are actually also liquid, but in the free volume, and all shock absorbers have it, it contains not just air, but gas under high pressure. Therefore, "gas" shock absorbers always tend to push their rod out. But the next type of suspension without shock absorbers can be dispensed with.
Air suspension
In the air suspension, the role of the elastic element is played by the air in the closed space of the air spring. Sometimes nitrogen is used instead of air. The pneumocylinder is a sealed container with walls made of synthetic fibers vulcanized into a layer of sealing and protective rubber. The design is in many ways similar to the sidewall of a tire.
The most important quality of the air suspension is the ability to change the pressure of the working fluid in the cylinders. Moreover, air pumping allows the device to play the role of a shock absorber. The control system allows you to change the pressure in each individual cylinder. In this way, buses can politely lean at a stop to facilitate boarding of passengers, and trucks can maintain a constant “stand”, being filled to capacity or completely empty. And on passenger cars, air springs can be installed in the rear suspension to maintain a constant ground clearance, depending on the load. Sometimes in the design of SUVs, air suspension is used on both the front and rear axles.
Air suspension allows you to adjust the clearance of the car. At high speeds, the car "squats" closer to the road. Since the center of mass becomes lower, the roll in corners decreases. And off-road, where high ground clearance is important, the body, on the contrary, rises.
Pneumoelements combine the functions of springs and shock absorbers, though only in those cases if it is a factory design. In tuning designs, where air bellows are simply added to an existing suspension, shock absorbers are best left.
The installation of air suspension is very fond of tuners of all stripes. And, as usual, someone wants lower, someone higher.
| | | |
Dependent and independent suspension
Everyone has heard the expression "it has an independent suspension in a circle." But what does this mean? An independent suspension is such a suspension when each wheel makes compression and rebound moves (up and down) without affecting the movement of other wheels.
| | |
MacPherson type L or A-arm independent suspension is the most common type of front suspension in the world today. The simplicity and cheapness of the design are combined with good handling.
Such a suspension is called dependent when the wheels are united by one rigid beam. In this case, the movement of one wheel, for example upwards, is accompanied by a change in the angle of inclination of the other wheel relative to the road.
Previously, such suspensions were used very widely - take at least our Zhiguli. Now only on serious SUVs with a powerful continuous rear axle beam. Dependent suspension is good only for its simplicity and is used where, due to strength conditions, a rigid continuous bridge is required. There is also a semi-independent suspension. This is used on the rear axle of inexpensive cars. It is an elastic beam that connects the axles of the rear wheels.
Suspension specialists have many interesting examples to share, but I will have to limit myself to a brief account of why stiffer is not always grippy, and softer is not always comfortable. The work of car suspensions is not at all as simple as it seems at first glance. They perform many functions that are not entirely obvious. I will try to briefly mention the main ones.
In general, many books have been written about how pendants work, and most of them are very thick. I will only try to outline the main points "on top" in order to fit into the format of an informative article.
Why you can't do without a suspension
Even very smooth roads actually curve in many directions, and the Earth itself bears little resemblance to an infinite plane. And in order for all four wheels to touch the ground, they must be able to move up and down. At the same time, it is highly desirable that the running surface of the wheel is adjacent to the coating with its entire width in any position of the suspension. So cars with rigid and short-stroke suspensions are practically doomed to poor wheel traction, because one of the wheels will always be unloaded.
1 / 2
2 / 2
Why Suspension Must Have Compression Travel
For all wheels to be in contact with the road, it is not at all necessary that the suspension can compress, it is enough that the wheels can only move down. But when the car moves in corners, lateral forces arise that tend to tilt the car. If at the same time one side of the car can rise, and the other cannot fall, the center of gravity of the car will shift strongly towards the loaded wheel, which in turn will cause many negative consequences.
First of all, even greater unloading of the inner wheel with respect to turning and an increase in the roll moment due to the center of gravity moving upward relative to the roll center of the suspension (about it below). And, of course, if the wheels don't have compression travel, then even a small bump under one of the wheels should move the bodywork, move all the other wheels down with all the associated lifting energy and reduced wheel traction. Which, to put it mildly, is not very comfortable. It is also destructive to the body and suspension parts. In general, a suspension needs to be balanced, with both compression and rebound travel in order to function properly.
Why does the car roll around corners?
Since we have decided that the suspension of the car must be and has the ability to move up and down, then purely geometrically a certain point is formed, the center around which the car body rotates during a roll. This point is called the roll center of the machine.
And the sum of the inertial forces acting on the car in a turn is just applied to its center of mass. If it coincided with the roll center, then there would be no roll in the turn, but it is usually located much higher, and as a result, a rolling moment is formed. And the higher the center of roll is located, the lower the center of gravity, the smaller it is. On special racing structures like Formula 1 cars, the center of gravity is placed below the roll center, and then the car can roll in the opposite direction, like a boat on water.
Actually, the location of the roll center depends on the design of the suspension. And automotive engineers have learned quite well how to “raise” it higher by changing the design of the levers, which, in theory, could save not only low sports cars from rolls, but also quite high ones. The problem is that the suspension, which is designed to provide an "unnaturally high" roll center, successfully copes with body lean, but does not cope well with the main task - damping bumps.
Why should suspension be soft?
It is quite obvious that the softer the suspension, the less the change in the position of the body when hitting a bump and when rolling, the load is less distributed between the various wheels. This means that the adhesion of the wheels to the road does not deteriorate and energy is not spent on moving the center of mass of the car up and down. Well, have we found the perfect formula? But, unfortunately, not everything is so simple.
Firstly, the suspensions have limited compression strokes, and they must be consistent with the change in axle load when the car is loaded with passengers and luggage, and with the load that occurs when cornering and bumps. Suspension that is too soft will compress so much when cornering that the wheels on the other side will lift off the ground. So the suspension must prevent exhaustion of the compression stroke on one side and hanging the wheel on the other.
It turns out that too soft a suspension is also bad ... The best option is a relatively small range of "softness", after which the suspensions become stiff, but setting up such a design is the more difficult, the higher the difference between its hard and soft parts.
With any redistribution of the load between the wheels, the overall grip of the wheels with the road deteriorates. The fact is that additional loading of some wheels does not compensate for all losses during unloading of others. And in the case of hanging unloaded wheels, an increase in grip on the loaded side does not compensate even half of the losses.
In addition to a general deterioration in grip, this also leads to a deterioration in handling. They fight this unpleasant factor by changing the inclination of the rolling plane of the wheel relative to the road - the so-called collapse. As a result of constructive measures aimed at programming the camber change during the roll of the machine, it is possible to compensate for the change in wheel adhesion under lateral loads in a reasonable range and thereby make the machine easier to control.
Why do you have to make the suspension stiffer on sports cars?
The controllability of the car is extremely negatively affected by any changes in the angles of the suspension when the car rolls and delays in response to control actions due to a shift in the center of gravity. This means that you have to make the suspension stiffer so that the rolls decrease in the turn.
The extreme output is a powerful anti-roll bar - a torsion bar, which prevents the wheel from moving one axle relative to another. But this is not the best way. Yes, it improves the situation with changing the angles of the wheels in a turn, but it unloads the inner, in relation to the turn, wheel, and overloads the outer one. It's a little better to just make the suspension stiffer. This affects comfort more, but it does not unload the inner wheel as much.
Considerable value of shock absorbers
In addition to elastic elements, the suspension of the car also contains gas or liquid shock absorbers - elements responsible for damping the vibrations of the suspension and removing the energy that the car spends on moving the center of mass. With their help, you can correct all the suspension reactions to compression and rebound, because the shock absorber can provide much greater rigidity in dynamics than a spring. At the same time, its stiffness, unlike springs, will be very different depending on the suspension travel and the speed of its movement.
Of course, a very soft shock absorber will not be able to fulfill its main task - vibration damping, the car will simply sway after passing through the bumps. And installing a very stiff one will create an effect similar to installing a very stiff spring that does not want to compress and thereby increases the load on the wheel and unloads all the others. But fine-tuning will help reduce body roll in corners and help springs, reduce body dive during acceleration and braking, and at the same time not prevent the wheels from passing through small bumps. And of course, do not allow the "breakdown" of the suspension when driving through hard bumps. In general, they have an impact on the behavior of the machine no less than the stiffness of the springs.
A little about comfort and vibration frequencies
It is clear that a car without suspension would have zero comfort, because all the small bumps from the road would be transmitted directly to the riders. Brr. But if the suspension is made very soft, then the situation will not be much better - constant buildup also has an extremely bad effect on people. It turns out that a person does not tolerate vibrations both with a small amplitude and high frequency from a rigid suspension, and with a large amplitude and low frequency from a soft one.
To create comfortable conditions for passengers, it is necessary to coordinate the stiffness of springs, shock absorbers and tires so that on the most running surfaces for this car, the vibration frequencies of passengers and the level of acceleration remain within comfortable limits.
The frequency and amplitude of suspension vibrations are also important in another aspect - the natural resonance frequencies of the car-suspension-road system should not coincide with the possible frequencies of control actions and disturbances from the road. So the task of the designers is also to bypass dangerous modes as far as possible, because in the event of a resonance, you can turn the car over and lose control, and simply break the suspension.
So, what should be the suspension?
Paradoxically, the softer the suspension, the better the grip on the road. But at the same time, it should not allow strong rolls and changes in the contact patch of the wheels with the road. The worse the roads, the softer the suspension needs to be to get good grip. The lower the friction coefficient of the wheels, the softer the suspension should be. It would seem that the installation of an anti-roll bar can solve the problem, but no, it also has its negative features, it makes the suspension more "dependent" and reduces the suspension travel.
So suspension tuning remains a matter for true masters and always requires a lot of time for full-scale tests. Many factors are intricately intertwined and by changing one parameter, you can worsen both handling and ride. And not always a hard suspension makes the car faster, and a soft one makes it more comfortable. Handling is also affected by a change in the stiffness of the front and rear suspensions relative to each other and even the slightest change in the characteristics of the stiffness of the shock absorbers. I hope this article will help you to be more careful about the choice of components for suspensions and prevent rash experiments.
