The Effect of Poor Road Surfaces on Vehicle Suspension Geometry and the Misalignment of Setup Parameters

Baráth, Balázs · 2025 · DOAJ

DOI: 10.30939/ijastech..1766086

archive: archived pipeline: cataloged verified

Get this paper ↗ (DOI — opens at the source; we link to it, we don't host it)

Summary

This study investigates the impact of deteriorating road surfaces on vehicle suspension geometry, specifically focusing on the misalignment of setup parameters. Motivated by the increasing prevalence of pavement defects that compromise driving safety, controllability, and component longevity, the research aims to quantify how poor road conditions induce geometric displacements in suspension systems. The authors argue that while suspension settings are often optimized for motorsport, everyday road defects significantly affect standard vehicles, leading to abnormal tire wear and reduced handling performance. The experimental methodology utilized a front-wheel-drive Volkswagen e-Golf equipped with a MacPherson strut front suspension and a Multilink rear suspension. Before testing, the vehicle’s suspension parameters were adjusted to factory specifications using a mobile 3D imaging wheel alignment system. To capture dynamic forces, PicoDiagnostics NVH sensors were magnetically attached to the front and rear right control arms, recording G-forces via an 8-channel oscilloscope. The test involved seven repetitions of a 14 km route featuring significant potholes, ruts, and cracks, driven at speeds of 50 km/h in built-up areas and 90 km/h outside. After each run, suspension parameters were measured and readjusted to reference values to assess cumulative changes. Results indicated a strong correlation between road surface quality and suspension geometry distortion. On the poorest road segments, rear axle vibrations reached up to 8 g, while front axle vibrations ranged between 0 and 4 g, occasionally peaking near 8 g. Despite higher forces acting on the rear axle, the front axle exhibited greater misalignment. Specifically, front toe parameters regularly exceeded permissible limits, with individual toe deviations reaching +1.70 mm compared to a reference of +0.80 mm. In contrast, rear toe parameters remained within allowable ranges. The authors attribute this disparity to the adjustment mechanisms: the front axle’s threaded spindle is more sensitive to dynamic loads than the rear axle’s eccentric bolt. Additionally, uneven loading, with occupants only in the front seats, likely contributed to higher rear vibration amplitudes due to reduced damping mass. The study concludes that poor road surfaces significantly degrade suspension geometry, particularly affecting axles adjusted via threaded spindles. These findings underscore the necessity of regular suspension inspections to maintain vehicle stability and minimize tire wear. The results suggest that maintenance strategies and suspension design guidelines should account for the sensitivity of specific adjustment mechanisms to dynamic road loads. Future research is recommended to evaluate different suspension configurations and weight distribution scenarios to further refine design standards and extend vehicle lifespan.

Provenance

The full processing record for this entry. Every stage of this paper's journey through the pipeline is logged — what ran, with which tool and model, how many attempts it took, and when it last completed.

Summary generated by qwen3.6-27b-prismaquant on 2026-06-26; verification: verified.

Topics

Ranked by relevance to this paper. Hover a topic for its definition.

• road geometry