How Does a Hydraulic Suspension System Work?
Typical vehicles have a suspension built with springs made out of steel, but some cars have
something called a hydraulic suspension system.
Keep reading to understand what a hydraulic suspension system is, how it works, and if it’s right
for you.
What Does Hydraulic Suspension Mean?
A hydraulic suspension features a system where fluid creates and reacts to pressure, leveling the
car’s ride in reaction to bumps it travels over. That pressure can be used to tune and adjust the
suspension, depending on input from the driver and even the road conditions.
Hydraulic suspensions, in general, use hydraulic fluid to pressurize a sealed system. There isn’t
any air inside of it, and since you can’t compress a liquid, the system reacts to changes in its
pressure. Most cars already feature one hydraulic system we’re all familiar with: the brakes.
When you press the brake pedal, it puts pressure into the system.
The fluid in the master cylinder is forced into the brake lines and activates the clamping
mechanisms on each corner of the vehicle, slowing the rotation of the wheels and the car. The
, harder you press, the stronger the clamping force that’s applied. That’s also why any air in the
system needs to be purged or bled. Otherwise, the force won’t translate correctly through the
system.
Those same principles are at work in a hydraulic suspension system. But instead of your foot on
the brake triggering changes to the system’s pressure, it’s the input from the road surface that
makes the system react to changes in pressure.
Sometimes, there is also a way for the vehicle’s operator to add or remove pressure from the
system, adjusting the ride height at each corner to their preference. Typically, they control the
action of the suspension through switches, and they can make each corner react independently or
in unison.
Where Are They Used?
Hydraulic suspension systems used to be most common on high-end modified cars. The most
well-known application of hydraulic suspensions is probably in the world of lowriders.
Lowriders are a style of modified vehicles that are famous for their exotic and distinctive looks,
plus their ability to raise and lower the suspension.
Hydraulic Suspension Diagram
Take a look at this pretty simple diagram that shows the basics of a hydraulic suspension so you
can get a better understanding of how it works.
At the heart of the system, there is a reservoir that holds the fluid. There are hydraulic lines that
carry the fluid to each corner of the car. And at each corner, there are chambers filled with fluid
that control the rebound, spring, and damping of the car. When you put it all together, the system
provides instant reaction to road conditions and provides a smooth ride to the passengers in the
vehicle.
How Does a Hydraulic Suspension Work?
Suspension systems typically feature springs, shock absorbers, and other components that help
cars remain steady as they travel over surfaces. Hydraulic suspensions do the same thing but
utilize a bit of different technology to accomplish their mission.
All hydraulic systems utilize fluid to create pressure and actuate movement. Hydraulic
suspensions operate on that same principle. Each corner of the car has a separate to
accommodate the travel of each wheel. Basically, as the car rolls over bumps and other
imperfections in the road and the wheel moves up and down, the fluid in the system maintains
the ride consistently. Otherwise, the car would bounce around wildly with each bump.
Regular suspensions do the same thing, but perhaps less effectively. Plus, hydraulic systems
often offer the ability to adjust the ride height and firmness by adjusting the pressure in the
Typical vehicles have a suspension built with springs made out of steel, but some cars have
something called a hydraulic suspension system.
Keep reading to understand what a hydraulic suspension system is, how it works, and if it’s right
for you.
What Does Hydraulic Suspension Mean?
A hydraulic suspension features a system where fluid creates and reacts to pressure, leveling the
car’s ride in reaction to bumps it travels over. That pressure can be used to tune and adjust the
suspension, depending on input from the driver and even the road conditions.
Hydraulic suspensions, in general, use hydraulic fluid to pressurize a sealed system. There isn’t
any air inside of it, and since you can’t compress a liquid, the system reacts to changes in its
pressure. Most cars already feature one hydraulic system we’re all familiar with: the brakes.
When you press the brake pedal, it puts pressure into the system.
The fluid in the master cylinder is forced into the brake lines and activates the clamping
mechanisms on each corner of the vehicle, slowing the rotation of the wheels and the car. The
, harder you press, the stronger the clamping force that’s applied. That’s also why any air in the
system needs to be purged or bled. Otherwise, the force won’t translate correctly through the
system.
Those same principles are at work in a hydraulic suspension system. But instead of your foot on
the brake triggering changes to the system’s pressure, it’s the input from the road surface that
makes the system react to changes in pressure.
Sometimes, there is also a way for the vehicle’s operator to add or remove pressure from the
system, adjusting the ride height at each corner to their preference. Typically, they control the
action of the suspension through switches, and they can make each corner react independently or
in unison.
Where Are They Used?
Hydraulic suspension systems used to be most common on high-end modified cars. The most
well-known application of hydraulic suspensions is probably in the world of lowriders.
Lowriders are a style of modified vehicles that are famous for their exotic and distinctive looks,
plus their ability to raise and lower the suspension.
Hydraulic Suspension Diagram
Take a look at this pretty simple diagram that shows the basics of a hydraulic suspension so you
can get a better understanding of how it works.
At the heart of the system, there is a reservoir that holds the fluid. There are hydraulic lines that
carry the fluid to each corner of the car. And at each corner, there are chambers filled with fluid
that control the rebound, spring, and damping of the car. When you put it all together, the system
provides instant reaction to road conditions and provides a smooth ride to the passengers in the
vehicle.
How Does a Hydraulic Suspension Work?
Suspension systems typically feature springs, shock absorbers, and other components that help
cars remain steady as they travel over surfaces. Hydraulic suspensions do the same thing but
utilize a bit of different technology to accomplish their mission.
All hydraulic systems utilize fluid to create pressure and actuate movement. Hydraulic
suspensions operate on that same principle. Each corner of the car has a separate to
accommodate the travel of each wheel. Basically, as the car rolls over bumps and other
imperfections in the road and the wheel moves up and down, the fluid in the system maintains
the ride consistently. Otherwise, the car would bounce around wildly with each bump.
Regular suspensions do the same thing, but perhaps less effectively. Plus, hydraulic systems
often offer the ability to adjust the ride height and firmness by adjusting the pressure in the
