How to Size and Strengthen Double Wishbone Suspension Struts for an ATV?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the design and specifications for double wishbone suspension struts intended for an off-road ATV, particularly in the context of a project related to the SAE Baja competition. Participants explore various aspects of suspension design, including sizing, strength, and performance characteristics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks guidance on the size and strength of A-arms for an ATV suspension.
  • Another suggests analyzing existing stock A-arms to establish baseline performance characteristics.
  • A participant emphasizes the importance of determining suspension travel and selecting appropriate coil-over shocks and bump stops.
  • Discussion includes considerations of maximum speed (50 km/h) and overall vehicle weight (330 kg) as factors influencing design.
  • Concerns are raised about the lack of foundational knowledge in structural FEA and the need for understanding loads and vibrations in suspension design.
  • Some participants propose looking at existing ATV suspensions for design inspiration, noting that there is no one-size-fits-all solution.
  • One participant mentions the possibility of using modified Maruti 800 suspension arms, citing previous successful use in competitions.
  • Another participant questions the strength of the Maruti 800 arms for off-road conditions, while others affirm their adequacy based on past experiences.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of knowledge and experience regarding suspension design, with some suggesting existing solutions while others seek original designs. There is no consensus on the specific design parameters or the suitability of using Maruti 800 suspension arms, indicating ongoing debate and uncertainty.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the need for detailed specifications and calculations related to loads, material thickness, and structural integrity, which remain unresolved. The discussion reflects a range of expertise, from novice to more experienced individuals, impacting the depth of technical analysis.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for engineering students, hobbyists interested in ATV design, and participants in competitions like SAE Baja looking for insights into suspension design and performance considerations.

harpreet singh
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I want to make double wishbone suspension struts for an ATV. Please guide me what should be the size of A's used in it and also how much should be their strength...
 
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What exactly do you plan to accomplish with the suspension? You should probably analyze the stock A-arms on the atv first to decide what your baseline performance characteristics will be.
 
I m not getting wat r u saying.. And my aim is to construct an off road vehicle.. I need these suspensions for that...
 
Sorry, I was under the impression your were designing replacement A-arms for an already existing ATV's suspension.

If you're designing the system from scratch, your fist step will be to decide how much suspension travel you want. After that, you can decide on a type and length of coil-over shock (assuming you use coil-over shocks) and travel-limiting devices like bump stops. I would recommend studying suspensions on ATV's that are currently available for ideas.

We can't easily answer questions about required strength of the arms and components without know a lot more about your application. If this is truly an off-road application, speed and overall weight will tend to dictate how strong components have to be.
 
Maximum speed will be 50 kmph and overall vehicle weight(including driver) will be around 330 kgs
 
harpreet singh said:
Maximum speed will be 50 kmph and overall vehicle weight(including driver) will be around 330 kgs

this is like throwing away your work at others. No offense, but how much have you designed so far??
 
I am not getting from where to start.. I read about the basic structure online but didn't was not able to understand on what parameters it should be designed..
 
everything is designed on the basis of loads it will have to bear, & the kind of load, static, transient etc.
An ATV has a fate of jumping up and down, get all the forces acting on the structure. Do you know structural FEA??
For the spring & damper, make sure you design(or calculate) spring constant & damping coefficient respectively, that system gets a nice damping(far from resonance). For that you must know how much the system is going to vibrate, in turn this depends upon the speed and surface, the system is going to work in.
By the way, I am not a complete engineer by now, it ll take an year more, so, sometimes, I do make things sound easier than they really are!
 
Sorry but i know nothing about structural FEA... Have just completed my second year of engineering
 
  • #10
I would guess that off-road suspension design is equal parts up-front analysis and real-world prototype testing. As I said before, your best bet for a starting point is to see what already exists out there in terms of ATV suspensions; there is no magic set of equations that will tell you exactly what the suspension will look like or how it will perform in all situations.
 
  • #11
Do you plan to make one?? I mean cast those A's, get those springs, dampers, bearings & all?? Or is it that you need to get the calculations for a project??
In case you need a real one, Mech_Engineer is right, you better go & see what is out there.
 
  • #12
I am planning to make it.
 
  • #13
I checked on many sites but everywhere I m getting about the standard models available in the market. No site is providing such deep specifications. I have searched about the dampers etc. but the problem is with double A structures. I don't have any idea about how thick rods should I use which can sustain the severe off road conditions.
 
  • #14
i guess u asking all this stuff for SAE baja, INDIA. rite? @harpreet

in that case i wud advise u to use maruti 800's suspension arms. modify them accordingly. i don't think u've got much time to decide.

gud luck!
 
  • #15
Ya that's true.. I was asking for SAE BAJA only.. R u sure that maruti 800's suspension arms would be strong enough for the off roading conditions??
 
  • #16
ya it is.
ppl used it in the last year's competition
performance was gud enough, though they had to cut and modify the arms with a lot of effort.
do consult someone else before u go for it.
 
  • #17
harpreet singh said:
I am planning to make it.

Do you have the facilities??

Your best bet is to go with what the other guy is saying.
 

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