【文章內容簡介】 on. Air Springs The air spring is another type of spring that is being more popular on passenger cars, light trucks, and heavy trucks. The air spring is a rubber cylinder filled with pressed air. A piston attached to the lower control arm moves up and down with the lower control arm. This causes the pressed air to provide spring action. If the vehicle load changes, a valve at the top of the airbag opens to add or release air from the air spring. An onboard pressor supplies air. Tires as Springs An oftenoverlooked spring is the tire. Tires are air springs that support the total weight of the vehicle. The air spring action of the tire is very important to the ride quality and safe handling of the vehicle. As a matter of fact, tires may be viewed as the numberone ride control ponent. Tire size, construction, pound and inflation are very important to the ride quality of the vehicle. STRUT MOUNT DESIGN Strut mounts are vehicle specific, and there are numerous designs in use today on both front and rear suspension systems. The three most mon designs are inner plate, center sleeve, and spacer bushing. The Inner Plate Design used by General Motors and some Ford applications feature an inner plate encased in molded rubber surrounded by upper and lower surface plates. The inner plate is designed so the strut piston rod cannot push through the upper or lower surface plate if the rubber core fails. This design generally does not require washers. Due to the fact that the upper and lower service plates mostly cover the rubber portion of the mount, it is difficult to see if the inner rubber bushing has failed. However, these ponents wear over time and with a thorough inspection a proper remendation can be made. The bearing is located on the bottom of the strut mount and is not serviceable. Defective bearing will require replacement of the entire strut mount. The Center Sleeve Design used by Chrysler features a center sleeve that is molded to the rubber bushing. This design provides increased side to side stability. The strut stem extends through the center sleeve. Upper and lower retainer washers prevent the strut rod from pushing through the strut mount. The bearing is a separate ponent from the strut mount. If inspection reveals cracks or tears in the rubber bushing, replacement is required. If the bearing is found to be defective it can be replaced separately. The Spacer Bushing Design used by Volkswagen, Toyota, Mazda, Mitsubishi, and early Chrysler vehicles feature center positioning of the bearing and a separate inner bushing instead of a molded inner sleeve. The operation is similar to the style we just discussed except the bearing is pressed in the strut mount. The bearings, washer, and the upper plate retain the strut rod. If the rubber bushing is cracked, torn, or the bearing is binding or seized, the strut mount requires replacement.ANTISWAY BARS Another important ponent of a suspension system is the antisway bar. This device is used along with shock absorbers to provide additional stability. The antisway bar is simply a metal rod connected to both of the lower control arms. When the suspension at one wheel moves up and down the antisway bar transfers the movement to the other wheel. In this way the sway bar creates a more level ride and reduces vehicle sway or lean during cornering. Depending of the antisway bar thickness