Automotive Suspension Systems

1. (a) "Suspension System" of a vehicle is that assembly of mechanical, structural, pneumatic and hydraulic members which provides a flexible support between the ground or roadway and the engine, load and passenger carrying structure of the vehicle.
2. (b) "Spring Rate" is the change of load, or force, on a spring member required to produce unit deflection of the spring member at the location of the applied load or force.
3. (c) "Shock Absorber" is a generic term which is commonly applied to hydraulic or pneumatic mechanisms used for the purpose of damping or suppressing oscilatory motion of vehicle bodies.
4. (d) "Wheel Track" is the lateral distance between the centers of the tire contact of the outermost tires mounted on wheels on the same axle.

(Effective October 24, 1972)