Suspensions

In garages, on test tracks, and in product catalogs, suspension choices determine how a vehicle behaves under real-world conditions. This list brings together both common and niche setups so you can scan types, compare numbers, and spot options that suit driving style or engineering needs.

There are 41 Suspensions, ranging from Active suspension to Torsion beam suspension. For each entry you’ll find below data organized with Domain,Key metric (typical unit),Example / where found (max 15 words), making it easy to compare purpose, performance and a quick example — you’ll find below.

How do I choose the right suspension type for my vehicle?

Start by defining use: daily commute, performance driving, off-road or load-carrying. Then compare Domain and Key metric (typical unit) in the list — look for spring rate, travel and damping suited to your weight and ride preference. Consider complexity, cost, and maintenance shown in the Example / where found column before deciding.

Which metrics should I prioritize when comparing suspensions?

Focus on travel (mm) and spring/damper characteristics (e.g., N/mm, Ns/m) for ride and handling, plus mounting and unsprung mass for response. The Domain column shows intended application, while the Example / where found column helps judge real-world fit; use those together to narrow choices.

Suspensions

Images and Descriptions

Coil spring suspension

A common spring-based car suspension using steel coils to absorb shocks; typical wheel travel is tens to a few hundred millimetres. It balances comfort and cost, found on family cars and many SUVs for predictable handling and simple maintenance.

Leaf spring suspension

An older, durable suspension using stacked metal leaves that support heavy loads; load capacity often thousands of kilograms. Common on trucks and commercial vans because it’s rugged, cheap to maintain, and tolerates high payloads at the cost of ride comfort.

Air suspension

Uses air-filled bellows to support the vehicle and adjust ride height by tens of millimetres. Offers smoother ride and adjustable clearance for comfort or loading. Found on premium cars, coaches and some off-road vehicles.

MacPherson strut suspension

A compact, cost-effective front suspension combining a coil spring and damper in a single strut. It saves space and weight for modern engine bays, giving predictable ride behaviour for everyday passenger cars.

Double wishbone suspension

Uses upper and lower control arms (wishbones) to tightly control wheel motion and camber angles. Offers superior handling and tyre contact through corners, common on performance cars and higher-end SUVs.

Torsion beam suspension

A simple rear axle design with a transverse beam that twists for suspension action. Compact and inexpensive, it suits small passenger cars where packaging and cost matter more than ultimate ride or handling.

Solid axle (beam axle) suspension

A rigid axle connects both wheels, carrying large loads and with high durability. Simple and strong for heavy-duty applications; ride comfort and independent wheel movement are limited compared with independent systems.

Independent suspension (general)

Each wheel moves independently to improve ride and handling across uneven terrain. Variants include MacPherson, double wishbone and multi-link systems; widely used because it enhances comfort and tyre contact.

Active suspension

Electronic actuators adjust spring/damper forces in real time, responding in milliseconds to road inputs. It reduces body roll, pitch and improves ride quality, but adds complexity and cost.

Adaptive dampers

Shock absorbers with selectable damping levels (soft to firm) controlled electronically. Drivers can switch modes for comfort or sport, giving versatile ride characteristics without major hardware changes.

Magnetorheological (MR) suspension

Uses fluid whose viscosity changes under a magnetic field to vary damping instantly. Provides fast, smooth adjustments to road conditions and driving style, blending comfort and performance.

Hydro-pneumatic suspension

A fluid-and-gas system replacing conventional springs and shock absorbers, offering self-leveling and a very smooth ride. Not common today but notable for innovative ride control and automatic height adjustment.

Motorcycle telescopic fork

Front suspension using sliding fork tubes with springs and oil damping; travel ranges from 100–200+ mm depending on bike. Simple and effective, it’s the standard motorcycle front suspension.

Motorcycle mono‑shock rear

A single rear shock absorber mounted centrally to control rear wheel motion. Provides improved damping, packaging and tuning compared with dual-shock setups for sport and street bikes.

Bicycle front suspension fork

Forks with 80–200+ mm travel absorb trail bumps and improve control. Front suspension is common on mountain and some hybrid bikes to reduce rider fatigue and improve grip.

Full-suspension bicycle

Bikes with both front and rear suspension (100–200+ mm travel) improve traction and control on rough terrain. Offers greater comfort and speed off-road but adds weight and maintenance.

Suspension bridge

A bridge type where deck hangs from cables draped over towers; spans range from hundreds to over a kilometre. Famous for long-span capability and dramatic cable aesthetics, enabling crossings where piers are impractical.

In-school suspension

A disciplinary measure where a student is removed from regular classes but remains on campus or in supervised setting. Typical durations range from one to several days; aims to correct behavior while keeping students in a controlled environment.

Out-of-school suspension

Temporary removal of a student from school premises for behavioral reasons, usually days to weeks. It restricts access to classes and activities, intended as punishment and deterrent though it can disrupt learning.

Suspension of enrollment

Temporary leave from a program for disciplinary, medical or academic reasons, often lasting a semester or more. Allows institutions to manage serious issues while giving students time to address problems before returning.

Extracurricular suspension

Removal from school activities like teams or clubs for misconduct. Duration varies; it affects social and developmental opportunities rather than academic enrollment.

Administrative suspension (employment)

Employer-imposed temporary exclusion from work during investigations, often paid. It protects the workplace and investigation integrity while being a neutral measure before final decisions.

Paid suspension

A suspension where an employee is temporarily barred from duties but continues to receive pay. Used while reviewing alleged misconduct, it preserves income yet removes access to workplace responsibilities.

License suspension

Official temporary removal of a professional or driver license; durations range from days to years depending on offense. It restricts legal permission to perform regulated activities and is a common administrative sanction.

Suspension of sentence

A court delays or refrains from enforcing a jail term, often substituting probation or conditions. The sentence remains but is not executed unless conditions are breached, offering rehabilitation instead of incarceration.

Suspension of habeas corpus

A rare legal measure allowing authorities to detain individuals without immediate judicial review; historically used during war or rebellion. It’s controversial due to major civil liberties implications and typically time-limited.

Suspension of parliament

The formal pause or recess of a legislative body by leadership or executive action. Used for procedural, political or emergency reasons; can affect governance and oversight during the suspension period.

Chemical suspension

A heterogeneous mixture where solid particles are dispersed but not dissolved in a liquid; particle sizes are often 1–100 µm. Particles settle over time, making suspensions important in environmental, industrial and lab contexts.

Pharmaceutical suspension

Medicinal formulations where active drug particles are suspended in a liquid medium; concentrations vary by product. They enable dosing of insoluble drugs and require shaking before use for uniformity.

Suspension concentrate (SC)

A concentrated pesticide formulation where active solids are finely suspended in a liquid carrier for dilution before use. Offers handling and storage advantages versus dry powders but needs agitation.

Paint suspension

Pigments and fillers suspended in binder liquids create paint; solids percentage affects coverage and drying. Suspensions determine color uniformity, stability and application properties for coatings.

Suspension polymerization

A polymerization technique where monomer droplets are suspended in water and polymerize into beads. Particle size control affects final product properties and is widely used for producing resins and plastics.

Musical suspension (voice leading)

A melodic or harmonic tone held over to create a temporary dissonance that resolves to a consonance, typically within one to a few beats. It adds tension and expressive motion in harmony and voice leading.

Suspended chord (sus2/sus4)

Chords that replace the third with a second or fourth, producing an ambiguous, open sound. Common on guitar and piano, they create unresolved sonorities used for lyrical or modal effects.

Player suspension (sports penalty)

Formal sanction removing an athlete from competition for rule breaches, typically measured in games or matches. Suspensions protect integrity, deter misconduct and can affect team strategy and player careers.

Doping suspension

Ban from competition for prohibited substance use or methods, commonly ranging from months to several years. It’s a major sports penalty with career and reputation consequences and strict reinstatement rules.

Match suspension (game halted)

Temporary stoppage or postponement of a match due to weather, light, or safety. Durations vary widely; officials manage rescheduling and conditions to preserve fairness and player safety.

Season suspension (league-wide)

Complete halt of a sports season across a league, often for health, labour or safety reasons. Affects schedules, finances, and fans; durations can span weeks to months.

Suspension of operations (business)

Temporary cessation of business activities due to safety issues, legal action, or emergencies. Used to protect workers, comply with orders, or address hazards before resuming normal operations.

Suspension of imports/exports

Governmental halt on trade of certain goods or from specific countries for safety, sanctions or political reasons. Durations and scope vary, impacting supply chains and international relations.

Suspension of disbelief

A reader’s or viewer’s willing acceptance of implausible elements to enjoy a story. Not a formal policy but a cultural concept; crucial for narrative immersion in fiction and performance arts.