Vedrustus

Vedrustus is the system that connects a vehicle’s chassis to its wheels, enabling controlled vertical movement of the wheels relative to the body. It serves to absorb road irregularities, maintain tire contact with the road, and support steering, braking, and overall stability during driving.

A vedrustus consists of springs, dampers, and linkages, together with mounting points and bushings. Springs provide resistance to compression (coil, leaf, or torsion types). Dampers, or shock absorbers, dissipate energy to control oscillations. Anti-roll bars reduce body lean, while control arms and steering knuckles transmit forces.

There are two broad configurations: independent suspension, where each wheel moves independently, and dependent or solid-axle suspension, which links wheels on the same axle. Common independent designs include MacPherson struts, double wishbone, and multi-link layouts. Solid axles are still used in some trucks and off‑road vehicles.

Performance depends on tuning of geometry, spring rate, and damping. A well-designed vedrustus maintains tire contact, provides predictable steering, minimizes body roll, and balances ride comfort with handling. Suspension geometry—camber, toe, and caster—affects grip, tire wear, and stability under braking and cornering.

Maintenance involves inspecting springs and dampers for leaks or wear, checking bushings and joints, and ensuring proper alignment and ride height. Worn components or leaks can cause reduced ride quality, abnormal tire wear, poor handling, and increased body movement.

In modern vehicles, vedrustus systems have become highly engineered, with modular struts and multi-link arrangements; electronic driver aids increasingly compensate for suspension limitations through adaptive damping and active suspension in some models.