Front Suspension and Tyre Wear

Abstract

Tyre wear depends very largely on the cornering orces which tyres are called upon to develop. A consideration of the effects of front suspensions on tyre wear involves a discussion of the effects of suspension and steering geometry on the slip angles developed at the two front wheels. The paper explains why a tyre, developing a cornering force, wears, and shows that the rate of wear increases rapidly with increase of cornering force. It then proceeds to a brief history of types of suspension. The two types predominantly in use are examined for such effects as changes of alignment and of track, which can cause the tyres to operate under slip angle conditions. The location of the track rod and the rigidity of the steering linkage are shown to be of importance. Such trends in vehicle construction which have improved stability have tended to increase front tyre wear in relation to that of rear tyres. The paper attempts to deal with matters of principle rather than of practical detail of design and construction, but it is shown that quite small changes of practical detail can at times have significant effects on tyre slip angles, and hence tread wear.