Suspension types

Suspension set ups can come in all different shapes and sizes.  They will all have different characteristics, mostly how they are adjusted for cambering, toe and castoring.  Another characteristic to suspension set ups is how it relates to the car's specifications.  Different cars will have different weights, wheel bases, purposes, etc.  Eg. a heavy duty vehicle like a taxi van or a ute will have spring leaf suspension set ups at the rear, so it doesn't lose suspension abilities with heavy loads.

Different suspension set ups also have different characteristics as they move.  They will camber differently as the move up and down.  The springs shape will affect how they push the wheels down as loads or put onto the vehicle.

 McPherson strut is basically a lower control arm and hub assembly as one whole piece.  This means less moving parts, less problems, cheaper manufacturing.

The double wish bone with top mounted spring can be found in plenty heavy duty SUV's as well as the bottom mounted spring.

There are plenty of different suspension set ups, too many to write about every single one, but they all have very strong similarities.

I have been looking at alot of drift racing cars lately, I check the suspension set ups when I can, I find it interesting that it's a full aftermarket set up.  They need to be alot stronger, also the steering racks are either modified or aftermarket to allow more turning angle during over-steer.  Wheel aligning on a drift car is also completely custom, as the alignment (especially the toe settings) is completely related to the driver's "style".

Here is a suspension set up on a fully rebuilt nissan drift car.  The wheel walls are also cut so that the wide wheels don't rub as the wheels turn at crazy angles.  Many drift cars are set up so that the SAI (Steering Axis Inclination) is closer to the wheel.  Very solid parts, nothalane bushes and lots of reinforcement parts here.