DEGRADATION OF STEERING AND SUSPENSION COMPONENTS

SLITAGE AV STYRNINGS- OCH HJULUPPHAENGINGSKOMPONENTER

The report deals with the effects of free play in steering and wheel suspension on vehicle handling, with special attention to the performance of the system driver/vehicle in emergency situations. A field study has been carried out where 33 subjects drove a Volvo 142 and a Saab 99 in both original condition and with certain degradations in steering and wheel suspension. The cars were driven on a test track where the drivers were exposed to two different types of surprise situations where they had to make quick avoidance manoeurvres. The cars were equipped with instruments for the registration of speed, lateral acceleration, and steering wheel movements. After having driven the cars, the drivers made a comparative judgement of the handling characteristics of the cars. The test method used in this study is evaluated and a comparison is made with other methods for testing vehicle characteristics. Based upon the results from the study and from previous studies, a judgement is made regarding the effects of free play in steering and suspension on vehicle handling and traffic safety. Consequently, some general recommendations are given for the judgement of degradations in steering and suspension components in technical inspections of vehicles. /TRRL/

• Corporate Authors:

  Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute (VTI)

  Linköping,   Sweden  SE-581 95
• Authors:
  • Arnberg, P W
  • ODSELL, O
• Publication Date: 1976

Language

• Swedish

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 33 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Acceleration (Mechanics); Behavior; Defects; Drivers; Driving; Evaluation and assessment; Handling characteristics; Hazards; Inspection; Instrumentation; Methodology; Motor vehicles; Obstructions (Navigation); Reaction time; Specifications; Steering; Suspension systems; Suspensions; Test tracks; Traffic safety; Vehicle performance; Vehicles
• Uncontrolled Terms: Degradation; Driver reaction; Handling; Side
• ITRD Terms: 5405: Acceleration; 1057: Air transport network; 9001: Behaviour; 5238: Defect (tech); 1772: Driver; 9020: Evaluation (assessment); 9102: Method; 1644: Obstacle; 9074: Side; 177: Specifications; 1834: Steering (process); 1329: Suspension (veh); 2789: Test track; 1646: Vehicle handling; 1575: Vehicle inspection
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment; I91: Vehicle Design and Safety;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00163810
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute (VTI)
• Report/Paper Numbers: VTI-Report NO 109 Monograph
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Dec 27 1977 12:00AM