NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY SILCHAR

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

AUTOMOBILE
MINI PROJECT
ON

SEMI FLOATING SUSPENSION SYSTEM IN AUTOMOBILE

PRESENTED BY UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF

MD FARHAN AHMAD (17-12-061) Dr. BIPUL DAS
RAJWANT YADAV (17-12-068)
BIJENDRA KUMAR SINGH (17-12-117)
 ABSTRACT

Axles were originally defined as rigid lateral connections between two wheels which could be
steered together. Axle follows the motion of the wheels at all times. The direct connection
between the wheels was eliminated with the introduction of independent suspension systems,
which feature wheels that are mounted to a steerable wheel carrier. This wheel carrier is part of
a kinematic linkage which connects the wheel to the axle.
The term “axle” is less easily defined for these systems. In some cases, the axle is defined as
the entire system, including the independent suspension and wheel carrier. Here we have tried
to focus on the semi floating axles with suspension systems. We will also see it’s advantages
and what it is used for.
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

CONTENTS
1.INTRODUCTION
2.WHAT IS AXLE?
3.WHAT IS SUSPENSION?
4.TYPES OF AXLE AND SUSPENSION
1. REAR AXLE

2. FUNCTIONS OF REAR AXLE

5.SEMI FLOATING REAR AXLE

6.BASIC PARTS OF SUSPENSION SYSTEM
7.SEMI FLOATING WISHBONE SUSPENSION SYSTEM
1. ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES

8.SEMI FLOATING MACPHERSON STRUNT SUSPENSION SYSTEM

1. ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES

9.DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SEMI FLOATING AND FULL FLOATING AXLES

10.ADVANTAGES OF SEMI FLOATING AXLES WITH SUSPENSIONS
11.USES OF SEMI FLOATING SUSPENSION
12.CONCLUSION
13.REFERENCES
 INTRODUCTION

The axle assembly includes the subframe, steering gear, stabilizer, and differential. Other chassis
components and subsystems, such as the wheel suspension (which includes the springing, damping and
braking systems), are considered part of the corner modules, which are specific to each wheel.
In order to effectively describe different suspension and axle concepts, however, it is necessary to
consider the axle and Suspension system as a single unit. The combined weight of the engine and
transmission is applied directly to the engine mounts, which transmit these loads to the roadway via
suspension linkage. Irregularities and oscillations from the roadway are transmitted to the passenger
compartment via the the suspension.
The semi floating suspension is the part of the rear axle.
 WHAT IS AXLE?

 An axle is a central shaft for a rotating wheel or gear.

 On wheeled vehicles, the axle may be fixed to the wheels, rotating with them, or fixed to
the vehicle, with the wheels rotating around the axle.
 Bearings or bushings are provided at the mounting points where the axle is supported.
 The forces on rear axle are:
 Weight of the body
 Driving Thrust
 Torque reaction
 Side Thrust
 WHAT IS SUSPENSION?
 Suspension is the term given to the system of springs, shock absorbers and linkages that
connects a vehicle to its wheels
 Serve a dual purpose – contributing to the car's handling and braking.
 Protects the vehicle itself and any cargo or luggage from damage and wear.
 It supports the weight.
 Provides a smooth ride.
 Allows rapid cornering without extreme body roll.
 Keeps tires in firm contact with the road.
 Isolate passenger and cargo from vibration and shock
 Allows front wheels to turn side-to-side for steering.
 Works with the steering system to keep the wheels in correct alignment.
 Types of axle and suspension.

 Different types of axle.  Types of Suspensions.

 REAR AXLE
• Semi Floating • Rigid Suspension
• Three Quarter Floating • Independent Suspension
• Full Floating  MacPherson strut
 FRONT AXLE –  Wishbone type
1. Dead Front Axle
2. Live Front Axle

 STUB AXLE –
1. Elliot
2. Reverse Elliot
3. Lamoine
4. Reverse Lamoine
 REAR AXLE
• Rear axles are structural members (includes the casing, axle shafts, differential gear and
the wheels ) on which Rear wheels are mounted on bearings.

• Rear axle is fixed to its surrounding with the wheels rotating around the axle, here
bearing or bushing sits inside the hole in the wheel and allows the wheel to rotate around
the axle.

• The weight of the body of the automobile and load due to the occupants is transmitted
through springs to
the axle casing.
 FUNCTIONS OF REAR AXLE

• Carry the weight of the rear portion of the vehicle.

• Change the direction of rotation of propeller shaft through 90degree to make the axle
shafts rotate.

• Provide final speed reduction between the propeller shaft and the axle shafts.

• Provide differential action so that the outer wheel can rotate faster than the inner
wheel, when the vehicle is negotiating a turn.

• Providing axle shaft and half shaft ( connects the differential to the road wheels) to
drive the rear wheels.

• Act as thrust and torque reaction member during the act of acceleration and braking
of vehicle.
FORCES AND TORQUES ON THE REAR
AXLE

1. Weight of the body

2. Driving thrust
3. Torque reaction
4. Side thrust
1. WEIGHT OF THE BODY

 Rear axle is assume to be beam supported at the ends and loaded at two
positions.

 The load generating on the axle is due to the weight of the body of vehicle
which is further transmitted through the suspension springs.

 This weights induces shear force and bending moment in the axle shafts.
 2. DRIVING THRUST

 Driving thrust produced in the road wheels due to driving torque produced
in the engine. This force is responsible for forward motion of the vechile.

 Driving thrust needs to be transmitted from the axle casing to the chasis
frame and body of the vehicle . This is achieved by using members called
radius rods or thrust members. This members connect the axle and chasis
frame in longitudinal direction.
 3.TORQUE REACTION

 Torque reaction occurs due to resistance offered by the wheels to the motion.
This cause a torque produced on the axle in the counter clockwise direction
when viewed from left side of the vehicle rear wheel axle.

 The torque produced by the braking torque is just the opposite to the torque
reaction.

 The torque reaction is opposed by Pan hard rod which connects the Rear axle to
the vehicle body or chassis and prevents excessive bending load coming onto
the propeller shaft.
 4.SIDE THRUST

 Side thrust mainly develops when the vehicle is taking a turn or when
the vehicle is moving is along the inclined surface.

 The side thrust coming on to the axle can be taken by Panhard rod.
LOADS COMING ONTO LIVE REAR AXLE
SHAFT

 Shearing force due to vehicle weight.

 Bending moment due to the offset of the wheel and the suspension.

 End thrust due to the side forces which develops due to side wind, and when
the vehicle is cornering.

 Bending moment due to end thrust and reaction from the tires.

 Driving torques.
 SEMI FLOATING REAR AXLE
 With a semi floating axle, the axle shaft both carries the weight and transmits torque.
 The wheel is often bolted directly to the flange on the axle
 Semi float axles are seen on cars and light duty trucks
 Semi floats are more limited in capacity, but lighter and cheaper to manufacture.
SEMI FLOATING AXLE
 BASIC PARTS OF SUSPENSION SYSTEM

 Control Arm:- movable lever that fastens the steering knuckle to the vehicle’s body or
frame.
 Steering Knuckle:– provides a spindle or bearing support for the wheel hub, bearings and
wheel assembly.
 Ball Joints:– swivel joints that allow control arm and steering knuckle to move up and
down and side to side.
 Springs:– supports the weight of the vehicle; permits the control arm and Wheel to move up
and down.
 Shock absorbers or dampeners:- keeps the suspension from continuing to bounce after spring
compression and extension.
 Control arm bushing :– sleeves that allows the control arm to swing up and down on the
frame.

Shock absorbers or dampers Springs

 SEMI FLOATING WISHBONE
SUSPENSION
 The suspension must be designed in such a way as to keep the wheel upright for maximum
tyre contact (vehicle control) and to minimize tyre wear.
 The upper wishbone is short and the lower wishbone is longer.
 Both wishbones pivot points and lengths are calculated to provide the best operating angle
for a given suspension movement.

Upper wishbone

Lower wishbone
 ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF
WISHBONE SUSPENSION SYSTEM

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
Ride quality is good. Initial cost is more
Improve the steering preciseness since the Maintenance cost is more.
wheel movement are not link
Required frequent wheel alignment
Ground clearance increase otherwise increase in tyre wear.
 SEMI FLOATING MACPHERSON STRUT
SUSPENSION
 This is a very popular and efficient form of
suspension. It has one control arm and a
strut assembly. A coil spring and shock
absorber will normally form parts of the
strut assembly. Strut Assembly
 Coil springs may be mounted on the control
arm instead of being around the strut. On
this type, the shock absorber connects the
knuckle to the frame.
 This type of suspension strut is often also
used on rear suspension systems.
 And if it used in semi floating rear axle
then it is known as semi floating suspension
system.
 The top of the strut is bolted to a
reinforced section of the frame structure.
 The lower end of the strut is attached to
a steering knuckle.
 The control arm is also attached to the
steering knuckle.
 Macpherson strut
The control arms are mounted on a
cradle section of the frame.
 An anti-roll bar links the two control
arms together to reduce sway (body
roll).

Semi floating rear

axle
 ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF
MACPHERSON STRUT SUSPENSION

DISADVANTAGES
ADVANTAGES
The MacPherson suspension has a lengthy
 Light in weight.
vertical assembly to it. If we need to lower our
 Camber does not change due to up & vehicle for whatever reason, we could run into
movement of wheels some problems there.
 Maximum Engine compartment Anyone driving a race car or sports car will
available. not want this suspension because those types
of cars are often lowered closer to the ground.
 Maintenance cost is less.
Not suitable for Heavy motor vehicle.
 Initial cost is less.
Load caring capacity is less.
 Ride comfort is more.
 Improve road safety
 DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SEMI FLOATING AND
FULL FLOATING AXLES

SEMI FLOATING SUSPENSION FULL FLOATING SUSPENSION

When the axle shaft is attached to the When the axle rod and wheel hub are
wheels, and correspondingly the suspensions connected, and the suspensions are attached
are attached for absorbing shocks and for absorbing shocks and disturbance then it
disturbance then it is a semi-floating axle. is a full-floating axle. 
The axle housing and axle road surround The wheel is mounted to the axle housing,
the bearing. not the axle rod.
The axle rod is what supports a lot of the The only thing the axle rod will receive is
vehicle’s weight too. Not only that, but the the differential torque power which goes to
rod also absorbs the effect of the bending the wheels. 
and the torque.
 ADVANTAGES OF SEMI FLOATING AXLES WITH
SUSPENSION

  Lighter vehicles are built with semi floater axles because lighter vehicles wouldn’t need to
carry as much weight unnecessary, so their cost is less ie less expensive.
 If we currently have a semi-floating axle on our vehicle and we wished we had a full
floating configured vehicle instead, it is possible to perform an upgrade.
 The axle housing and axle road surround the bearing. The axle rod is what supports a lot of
the vehicle’s weight too. Not only that, but the rod also absorbs the effect of the bending
and the torque. 
 A semi-floating axle can support more weight in comparison to a non-floating axle.
 On the upside, semi-floating axles are lightweight, so they are easier to install. 
 USES OF SEMI FLOATING SUSPENSION

 Semi-floating axles are common in 4-wheel drive vehicles. 

 More importantly, these axles are better for lighter weight vehicles, such as passenger
cars. 
 They are not meant for heavier vehicles like pick-up trucks and sports utility vehicles. 
 The semi-floating axle setup is commonly used on half-ton and lighter 4x4 trucks in the
rear.
 The semi-floating design is found under most 1/2-ton and lighter trucks and SUVs and
rear-wheel-drive passenger cars, 
 CONCLUSION
So far we have seen the advantages and uses of semi floating suspension systems which is
mainly classified by its axle type. The suspension system plays a major role in our safety and
comfortness. From the whole discussion in suspension system, it is observed that suspension
system provides the energy to a vehicle to protect itself from damaging, increasing life of the
vehicle, handing and comfort of passengers and many more.
We have also seen the differences between semi floating and full floating axles. So why
doesn’t everybody just get a full floating axle and stay safe? Well, the expensive cost of the
full floating axle is one setback that people have about it. If we don’t need to haul heavier
loads or drive heavy vehicles, then there is no sense in wasting money on a full floating axle. A
semi-floating axle is fine for the average person who drives a standard economy car. Of
course, if we are driving and the axle breaks, then it will loosen our wheels and cause a serious
accident. To prevent this from happening, get regular inspections of our axle to ensure it is in
good condition. It is better to be safe than sorry.
 LINKS AND REFERENCES
 https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007%2F978-3-8348-9789-3_4
 https://www.slideshare.net/sumatisaxena1/types-of-axles?from_action=save
 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Car_suspension#:~:text=Suspension%20systems%20can
%20be%20broadly,two%20subgroups%3A%20dependent%20and
%20independent.&text=Suspensions%20with%20other%20devices%2C%20such,is%20a
%20semi%2Ddependent%20suspension.
 Jain, K.K.; Asthana, R.B. Automobile Engineering. London: Tata McGraw-Hill. pp. 293–
294. ISBN 0-07-044529-X.
 D.S Kumar, Automobile Engineering. Khatson books.
 https://www.caranddriver.com/research/a31547001/types-of-axle/
 https://autocartimes.com/the-difference-between-semi-and-full-floating-axle/
 https://cartreatments.com/semi-and-full-floating-axle/
THANK YOU