What Is Double Wishbone Suspension, And Is It Superior?

Double wishbone suspension is a setup commonly found in high-end sports and supercars. We explain what it’s good – and not so good – for
What Is Double Wishbone Suspension, And Is It Superior?

Double wishbone suspension is a setup commonly found in high-end sports and supercars. We explain what it’s good – and not so good – for

When an exciting new sports car or supercar emerges, you might notice there’s talk of the vehicle having ‘double wishbone suspension’. You’ll probably know this is generally considered to be a rather good thing. But what the hell does it mean?

What is it, and why is it better than a MacPherson strut?

A double-wishbone setup is made up of two wishbone-shaped arms (hence the name and these are sometimes called ‘A-arms’) with one at the top and another at the bottom, with the damper attached to the latter.

It offers a vastly different geometry to a MacPherson setup, which features a control arm and radius rod joining the hub at the bottom, with the shock absorber protruding from the top.

The double-wishbone gets it name from the the wishbone-shaped arms
The double-wishbone gets it name from the the wishbone-shaped arms

As a result of its design, the more it’s compressed, the more negative camber is introduced thanks to the use of unequal-length control arms. As you’re cornering hard and the car starts to roll, a double wishbone suspension system will maintain a better tyre contact patch with the road.

You can achieve this by stiffening a MacPherson setup, but the advantage of the double-wishbone is you can have comparatively softer damping without compromising the contact patch. The result is a car that’s typically more comfortable and less nervous-feeling on bumpier roads.

As a more complex design, the double wishbone allows for greater control over camber, caster and roll centre. There’s also much more freedom with the placement of the dampers, leading to the trick inboard setups you’ll see on many racing cars and even some road-going supercars.

F1 cars use a complex double-wishbone setup
F1 cars use a complex double-wishbone setup

Finally, since the damper isn’t sticking out the top of the hub, this type of suspension is much more economical in terms of vertical space. You can still have a reasonable degree of suspension travel without having to raise the ride height, which negatively affects the handling by increasing the centre of gravity.

In terms of performance, double wishbone trumps MacPherson. So why aren’t more cars built this way?

The cons of double wishbone suspension

A big factor is cost. Where MacPherson is simple and cheap, double wishbone suspension is more expensive and more complex. The design and manufacture of a double wishbone setup is generally going to increase costs, which is why it’s usually relegated to pricier machinery where ultimate handling is a bigger priority. Plus with more joints to worry about, the owner is potentially going to be burdened with higher service costs relative to a MacPherson setup.

A MacPherson setup is easier to package, and more cost-effective
A MacPherson setup is easier to package, and more cost-effective

The next problem is the packaging. While this arrangement takes up less vertical space, it needs more horizontal room thanks to the location of the upper arm. You either eat into cabin space, widen the car, or do a bit of both.

As with most aspects of car design, it’s all about compromise. Double wishbone could be seen as the ideal suspension setup, but it’s not the best solution for every car. It’s not guaranteed to be seen in every sports car, either – for example, Porsche still uses the MacPherson strut in most of its cars and only started putting double wishbones in the 911 with the 992 GT3. 

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Comments

Javier Naranjo

Will it fit my Honda?

08/30/2018 - 14:12 |
54 | 2

Don’t know but I’m sure garage 54 will make one made of cardboard and fit it in their lada

08/30/2018 - 14:16 |
26 | 0

Go back to the old-school ones (88-01) and you’ve got it

08/30/2018 - 14:21 |
4 | 2

heh actually most civics came with double wishbone suspension
so it will and its already installed

08/30/2018 - 15:00 |
10 | 0

Your honda problably have it.

08/30/2018 - 20:31 |
0 | 0

My Civic EP2 has double wishbone rear suspension, and the older Civics had double wishbones at the front too.

08/31/2018 - 11:03 |
2 | 0
CannedRex24

What is a double wishbone suspension?

It’s a punishment given by school for being naughty where you are thus forced to be wacked constantly by 2 wishbones.
And no I have never received a double wishbone but I’ve heard it’s quite bad

Wait it’s not that?

08/30/2018 - 14:26 |
26 | 4
Low Style Zero

double wishbone is great for drifting FYI

08/30/2018 - 14:31 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

The Lambo is so cool even without the body you can just leave it this way

08/30/2018 - 15:30 |
6 | 0
5:19.55

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

._.

08/31/2018 - 03:50 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

I like the MacPherson’s strut

08/30/2018 - 20:11 |
14 | 2
Anonymous

NA MIATA FOR LIFE!!!

08/31/2018 - 01:54 |
0 | 0
Pipi Ferry

Old škodas used to have double wisbones on the Front …

08/31/2018 - 21:47 |
0 | 0