Straight Path Handling Anomalies of Passenger Cars Induced by Suspension Component and Assembly Tolerances

Authors

  • M. De Rosa Product Development, Maserati SpA, Via Emilia Ovest 911, 41123, Modena, Italy
  • A. De Felice Department of Engineering Enzo Ferrari, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Vivarelli 10, 41125, Modena, Italy, Phone: +390592056307
  • P. Grosso Department of Engineering Enzo Ferrari, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Vivarelli 10, 41125, Modena, Italy, Phone: +390592056307
  • S. Sorrentino Department of Engineering Enzo Ferrari, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Vivarelli 10, 41125, Modena, Italy, Phone: +390592056307

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15282/ijame.16.3.2019.02.0514

Keywords:

Handling, Suspension tolerances, Pull to side, Steering wheel misalignment, Drift leeward

Abstract

The effects on handling due to suspension component and assembly tolerances are analysed focusing on three anomalies affecting passenger cars travelling on straight paths, namely ‘pull to side’, ‘steering wheel misalignment’ and ‘drift leeward’. These anomalies do not constitute safety problems but represent a cost factor in the automotive industry since they occur in small but not negligible percentage of the overall car production. The present contribution is therefore focused on understanding which are their causes, and on reducing their extent, in the specific case of vehicles with front Double wishbone suspension and rear Five arms suspension. To this purpose, the vehicle assembly process is analysed in terms of errors and tolerances for identify the most influential parameters on handling irregularities. Sensitivity analysis by multibody virtual modelling, and subsequent correlation with experimental data from pre-setting and wheel aligner benches, have provide sufficient information for setting tolerance thresholds, able to keep the handling anomalies under study within acceptable bounds. As a result, ‘pull to side’ and ‘steering wheel misalignment’ has been found to be mainly related to the set up phase of wheel angles (front camber angles influencing pull to side, front and rear toe angles influencing steering wheel misalignment), while the main cause of ‘drift leeward’ has been identified with (rear) ride steer. Application of the procedure to a production line led to a consistent reduction (from 3% down to about 1% of the overall production) of anomalous vehicles.

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Published

2019-10-03

How to Cite

[1]
M. De Rosa, A. De Felice, P. Grosso, and S. Sorrentino, “Straight Path Handling Anomalies of Passenger Cars Induced by Suspension Component and Assembly Tolerances”, Int. J. Automot. Mech. Eng., vol. 16, no. 3, pp. 6844–6858, Oct. 2019.

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Articles