Couple of suspension questions.

[threesixty]

Just points of interest really.

Why does nobody use Ti springs on car suspension? obviously its abit ott for a rover but im really supprised that I dont see them on supercars esp lightweight editions(GT3RS supperlegera etc). They're not that expensive, last ten times longer than a steel spring and are a significant weight saving.

Macpherson strut systems, why? the shock is structural in these systems which seems like a really bad idea for its application.

I know they use platform systems in baja buggys, anyone use this in road cars?

Im coming at this from a 2 wheeled suspension background, so I appreciate that these points might be completely impractical or just plain wrong.

[GreenV8S]

Steel springs will outlast the rest of the car. The answer to all your other questions is: cost.

[Avocet]

There are lots of good things about Mac-struts. They lend themselves very well to feeding loads into a large area of monocoque shell. Also, as the attachment points are so far apart, they can have relatively soft rubber bushes in them - giving better refinement. They also package quite well round a typical front wheel drive transverse-engines "Eurobox".

[Globulator]

GreenV8S said:

Steel springs will outlast the rest of the car. The answer to all your other questions is: cost.

Except speed bumps nowadays reduce their life I think.

One car I own has had 1 broken spring, the other car 2 broken front springs.
A friend had 3 broken springs on his volvo.

Apparantly the Mondeo is a bit prone to spring breakage (according to the factors I got my springs from).

[Mr2Mike]

Broken springs are becomming very common on more modern cars, the Mondeo and Focus suffered quite badly from them in particular. I suspect it's more down to cost cutting than speed bumps, but they may be a contributary factor.

[Avocet]

Actually, come to think of it, I failed this year's MOT on a broken front spring! That said, it was only the last few inches of the bottom coil that had snapped off. I couldn't feel any difference in the car after replacing it!

[K13 WJD]

lol.


am i the only person who lowered his first car using the "10 mates and burning torches on the springs" method ??