Analysis of the impact of reduced damping in the suspension on selected vehicle steering characteristics

Abstract

The article presents the analysis of the impact of reduced damping in the suspension on the change of selected characteristics of vehicle steering. The most important factors influencing the dynamic characteristics of the vehicle steered are described. To this purpose, experimental tests were carried out on a B-class passenger vehicle for selected road tests. These tests were carried out on a vehicle with nominal and reduced damping in the right front wheel suspension. The effect of changing the position of the centre of mass on the behaviour of the vehicle was also taken into account. Comparisons of vehicle test results with standard suspension and with modifications have been carried out. The influence of reduced damping in the suspension on the change of the vehicle steering characteristics in steady and dynamically changing conditions was analysed. In the conducted considerations, the indicators defining the properties of vehicle steerability and stability were used. The determined indicators allowed assessing the impact of the considered changes in the characteristics of the vehicle suspension on its steering and stability of motion.