True, as most small cars don't need any greater suspension systems as they aren't likely going to need it (unlike Land Rovers, off-road vehicles). As opposed to 'dependent front suspension', the two front wheels can move independently - when only one is going over raised ground or a pothole, the other isn't affected by the movement of the initial wheel. IFS can do this because the shock absorbers and coil springs are combined into a single unit. Cars with such suspension are widely known as 'front-wheel drive'. In terms of independent suspension there are a couple of differences in structure:
• The MacPherson strut
The MacPherson strut uses only one wishbone frame which acts as the bottom mounting point to the axle. Such position allows provides both lateral and longitudinal positioning of the wheel. For the suspension to work, it requires a lot of vertical space so that it can distribute stresses and equalize them rapidly. The coil spring and shock absorber while be carried along the strut which also has a steering arm built into its lower section. Such assembly is very simple and so is the preferred design for most cars.
• The 'double-wishbone'
As the name suggests, two wishbone-shaped frames are used to locate the axle on both the top and bottom. The shock absorber and coil springs are mounted on the wishbones themselves instead of on a singular strut and this allows control of vertical movement. Such a design is useful for engineers to control the motion of the wheel and the suspension of it when in travel. In order to survive the sudden impact of braking, many wishbones need to be equipped with ball-joints which act as vibration insulators which dampen the impact.
The design itself is more complex than the MacPherson strut yet it is easier to locate the effect on the moving joint of the system.
• The MacPherson strut
The MacPherson strut uses only one wishbone frame which acts as the bottom mounting point to the axle. Such position allows provides both lateral and longitudinal positioning of the wheel. For the suspension to work, it requires a lot of vertical space so that it can distribute stresses and equalize them rapidly. The coil spring and shock absorber while be carried along the strut which also has a steering arm built into its lower section. Such assembly is very simple and so is the preferred design for most cars.
• The 'double-wishbone'
As the name suggests, two wishbone-shaped frames are used to locate the axle on both the top and bottom. The shock absorber and coil springs are mounted on the wishbones themselves instead of on a singular strut and this allows control of vertical movement. Such a design is useful for engineers to control the motion of the wheel and the suspension of it when in travel. In order to survive the sudden impact of braking, many wishbones need to be equipped with ball-joints which act as vibration insulators which dampen the impact.
The design itself is more complex than the MacPherson strut yet it is easier to locate the effect on the moving joint of the system.