WhyNot?

dynamic weight suspension

Category: New Safety Features
Responses: 3 (3 in support, 0 neutral, 0 in opposition)
Number of views: 1345
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My 4wd car (honda crv) is too light on its chassis with a single driver occupant, so i keep 4 bags of cement in the back during winter time that the chassis behave better. This i've had to do with many cars/trucks over the years, and mostly because the designers of those vehicles had to design for a static loading weight... and single-driver is lower than that weight.

The idea is to calibrate the suspension to measure the vehicle weight on start, and then to adjust the anti-roll torque and the shock absorber pressure to accomodate the ACTUAL vehicle weight thereby achieving an ideal ride and load safety.

sweetheart, Nov 11 2003

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Comments from other members:

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The problem is that it isn't that the shocks and stabs that need adjusted, it's the springs. Modern Lincolns actually have air-pressure rubber springs to do just the compensation you're talking about. Unfortunately, when they're fifteen years old, the springs 'pop' and you see the Lincoln driving around on the rubber overload bumpers because it's too expensive to replace.

As for carrying bags of cement, I do hope you realize that you're compromising mpg something like 1 mpg per 100/lbs. Not really a good thing.

hrench, Dec 22 2009

Automatic adjustable "air bag" suspensions are available aftermarket. Some modification of the OEM suspension might be necessary to make it as flexible as desired, but it's doable with off-the-shelf parts, and almost affordable. I installed an auxiliary air bag setup on a Dodge Caravan for just under $200, height sensors and an automatic pump for the same setup might double that.

Beaugrand, Dec 22 2009

Such a suspension could also be used to increase the ground clearance of a low-slung car for winter driving. I spent a bit of time shoveling to unstick my Mustang this weekend. If I could've just hit a button and lifted the car, the wheels would have been fine. It's just that the whole undercarriage bottoms on six inches of snow.

Roads were clear-the problem is my driveway.

hrench, Dec 28 2009