Vibration table for car suspension diagnostics: description, features and operating principle

Various malfunctions in car suspension systems can lead to unpleasant consequences. The car can go into a skid when entering the turn and thereby provoke a serious accident. It should be understood that any breakdowns in the suspension do not occur immediately. Elements of the suspension wear during the operation and at any time give the car owner to know about themselves. Previously, the suspension tests were done manually. But today they use modern technologies. Now use a shake table to diagnose the suspension. Such a system is able to accurately check the condition of the chassis.

What it is?

So, the shaker, on which the undercarriage is checked, is a special swinging platform. It is equipped with a large number of sensors and is connected to a computer with special software.

The hardware and software complex receives information from the sensors, and then calculates the deviations that are fixed during the car's build-up. Then the software compares the data and figures with standard indicators. For each brand and model of the car has its own standards, so it is very important that the operator correctly configured before starting the test. Diagnosis of the suspension of the car on a shake table is an excellent opportunity to learn the exact information about the running gear and its serviceability. But the method has one drawback - thus diagnosing only modern cars equipped with electronic control systems. For classic models, the shaker is not available.

How is the test done?

The process of computer diagnostics is a rather complicated procedure.

After the car has driven into the platform, the shaker will begin to swing to diagnose the suspension. Thus, the system creates conditions that are as close as possible to real driving on roads. The stand vibrates in the range from 0 to 25 Hz, with the frequency gradually increasing. During this process, the sensors continuously measure the dynamic weight of each of the wheels and compare the lowest value with the standard values. Smaller dynamic or static weight, reports the complete serviceability of the suspension and running gear. Also during the test, the front and rear suspension are checked separately .

How does the platform work?

The main task of this hardware and software complex is to generate fluctuations in the required frequency. It is these fluctuations that the car experiences when driving. These vibrations appear due to hydraulic or electrodynamic vibrators, which can be equipped with a vibration table for the diagnosis of suspension. The wheels of the car, which is mounted on the platform and are in neutral gear, will rotate at the time of these events from the platform platform shafts. This creates not only oscillations of a certain frequency, but also simulates the movement of the car.

In addition to vibrations, side rolls are also simulated. So you can check the wheel bearings, ball bearings. That's how the car suspension diagnostics work on the shaker. The price of the service is within 1000 r. This is inexpensive, and as a result, the owner learns about all malfunctions in the running gear.

How to understand that it's time to diagnose?

So, it needs to be done if you have to go by car on a long journey, for example, on the sea. Experts recommend checking the chassis during the change of seasons. Diagnosis is mandatory if there are knocks and creaks in the process of movement, as well as if the car suddenly began to enter when entering the turn. Especially it is necessary to conduct such tests for those who constantly travel on bad roads.

After a pothole, bumps and pits on the roads in no way contribute to a long work, even the most reliable running. Moreover, such a procedure is inexpensive. Vibration table for the diagnosis of suspension in Moscow will cost a motorist in 740 rubles.

Symptoms of suspension problems

Sometimes it happens that the chassis is causing problems suddenly. About the fact that you need to call on the shaker, can tell the following symptoms:

• On the serviceability of the suspension is worth thinking about, if suddenly there were knocks with sharp turns of the steering wheel to the right or left. Sometimes these actions can have a characteristic buzz. Similar sounds occur when driving on uneven roads or when typing a certain speed.
• In the process of braking, the car enters, it behaves unnaturally, but the surface is completely dry and even. More about the malfunctions in the suspension says a lot of play or free wheel steering. In this case, the reaction of the wheels to the action is absent.

To visit the shaker for the suspension diagnostics (St. Petersburg or any other city) it is necessary, if in the presence of ABS it is activated prematurely when driving over bumps and irregularities. If the body during the ride directly or when entering the turn strongly swings, this is also an unpleasant symptom.

More about the malfunctions of the suspension and the need for diagnostics will report tire covers, the wear of which is uneven. How much does it cost to diagnose the car suspension on a shake table? The price of this service is small even in large cities, such as Moscow or St. Petersburg. Testing will cost between 700-1000 rubles. This procedure is worth its money completely. A defective chassis significantly increases the risk of accidents.

What elements of the suspension are tested during the diagnosis?

The vibration stand for the suspension diagnostics in the process of work makes the main emphasis on the following elements. These are silent blocks, shock absorber racks, springs and levers, braking system and pads, steering tips, ball bearings and bearings. It is these nodes in the process of operating the car have the main load. The software and hardware complex in the process of work does not just create fluctuations and simulates the movement - there are also side rolls for testing the operation of ball bearings and bearings. Visiting the shaker for the diagnosis of suspension in Moscow, you can not find faults, which do not belong to the running gear of the car. The system in such cases is not able to identify the reasons, however, will signal a future repair.

About accuracy of indications

Some car owners after the diagnosis remain unhappy with this service. This method is also rejected by some specialists-auto mechanics. The fact is that the test result is influenced by many factors.

If you do not take them into account, then there is a risk of getting an unreliable result. One of these factors is the incorrectly selected transmission. Often the results are unreliable due to higher tire pressures. And the most common reason is operator errors when setting up. Therefore, the diagnosis of suspension on the shaker table (St. Petersburg is not an exception) should be conducted in specialized service stations, where experienced specialists work. They know and take into account all the factors that can distort the results. Address in St. Petersburg: Northern Avenue, 7, STO "Formula".

Buy a shaker?

For private purposes, the machines are checked in this way no more than 2 times during the year. It should be borne in mind that for this, it is not worth buying a shaker for diagnostic suspension. The price of the device is from 5 thousand dollars. Such systems are purchased only at the service station and in the service centers. The modern market represents a huge number of different models. But before you buy such a diagnostic complex, you must carefully choose it. Some systems are intended only for specific brands of cars and they contain information only for specific models. Others are completely universal. However, even given the price, it is worth to get into the workshop shaker for diagnostic suspension. The price of 5-10 thousand dollars will pay off over time, and the service will bring a huge number of new customers to the business.