Suspension & Steering Project/Lab Ideas

As a team, have students demonstrate knowledge of the relationship between caster angles and steering control.  Activities may include mathematics in caster and effects on steering; caster differences in power and manual steering; identification of different suspensions systems and location of steering pivots in each; measuring caster angle and adjusting to manufacturer’s tolerances; adjusting caster angles out of tolerance and driving vehicle to see how steering feel is affected.

Students will work in a team to develop an understanding of the meaning of turning angle through discoveries made in determining the turning radius of a wheel.