![SDVH [Self Drive Vehicle Hire]](https://sdvh.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/SDVH_logo_concept_4-02.svg){kind=logo}
Most times, we see a vehicle and do not understand the process that goes into making it. For example, have you ever wondered what holds a car together? Well, it’s the chassis. What is a chassis, you wonder? Let’s just call it the underlying framework of the car that provides structural support, while housing its key components. Keep reading this in-depth guide as we dive into the meaning, types and functions of a vehicle chassis.
A chassis is the skeleton of a vehicle. This vital component is the very framework on which your car is built, as it carries the body and car parts. The car chassis is usually made from iron or steel, in addition to another composite. It includes other parts of the vehicle, such as engine, transmission, steering system, brakes and suspension. The chassis is also the major component that contributes to the car’s kerb weight.
Types Of Vehicle Chassis
Chassis come in various forms to suit different vehicle types and demands. Let’s take a look at each one to help you become familiarised with them.
Monocoque Chassis
The monocoque chassis is a unique type of car chassis that blends with the body of the vehicle. It’s like a welded body design that serves as the structural support. Also known as the unibody frame, this chassis was first used in ships and aeroplanes, before car makers also took an interest.
The unibody frame has quickly grown to become the most popular chassis for different types of cars due to its numerous advantages. For one, Its cage-like design makes it relatively safer and its torsional rigidity makes the vehicle durable. The unibody chassis can be used for different car designs, from sports utility vehicles to compact hatchbacks and sedans.
See our blog post to understand what a chassis number is and how important it is.
Backbone Chassis
The backbone chassis gets its unique name from the shape it reflects as this chassis design resembles the spine of a human. The chassis has a unique design with a hollow rectangular cross-section and a cylindrical tube, passing through it to connect the front and rear suspensions of the vehicle.
Backbone chassis used to be popular, especially among sports cars, because of their simplicity and lightweight design. However, they’re less common in vehicles today because their design struggles to accommodate large and heavy vehicles. There’s also the issue of the single tube being susceptible to twisting under pressure.
Tubular Space Chassis
The Tubular space chassis typically comes in the form of a steel pipe, allowing the carmaker to shape the car according to the construction. This chassis is pretty much lightweight and is made from a bunch of hollow tubes, put together to form a three-dimensional framework. This framework serves as the foundational structure of the vehicle, supporting all the important components, including the body, engine and transmission system.
The tubular space chassis has a good ratio of strength to weight, making the car body durable while remaining lightweight. On the downside, it’s mostly suited for a race car and not a passenger car.
Aluminium Space Chassis
The aluminium space chassis is identical to the unibody car chassis but uses aluminium as its main component as opposed to steel. The lightweight of aluminium means that this chassis is not very heavy, but it still offers a strong foundation for the car body and all the important components. This chassis is usually costlier due to the higher cost of aluminium. However, as a plus, it resists corrosion better, reducing the need for rustproofing.
Modern chassis are designed using CAD software to optimise strength, weight and performance.
Body-On-Frame Construction
The body-on-frame is the earliest type of vehicle construction, dating back to the time of horseless carriages and mass-produced automobiles in the early 20th century. It features a design where a separate body is mounted on a strong, rigid frame to create a relatively flexible body.
Body-on-frame vehicles are known for their durability and towing capacity. The separate frame makes the construction more robust and capable of handling heavier loads and rough terrain.
Components Of The Car Chassis
With the types of chassis out of the way, let’s get into what makes a car chassis.
- Transmission system: The transmission is one of the major components of the car chassis. This part of the car helps to control engine output, dictating acceleration and torque. The transmission performs its functions by adjusting the ratio of the displacement between the gears.
- Clutch: The clutch is another crucial component of a car chassis. It serves to connect and gently disconnect the engine speed to the transmission. The clutch consists of two metals, a flywheel and a pressure plate, and aims to make the gearshift process as smooth as possible.
- Unibody: The unibody, also known as the car’s frame, holds everything together. It is like the soul of the chassis, serving as the foundation, upon which other components are built.
- Suspension systems: Without a suspension system, the car will be more prone to damage. This component of the car chassis, absorbs bumps and shocks, ensuring a smooth ride and handling. The suspension system is made up of smaller components like the shock absorber, struts and springs.
- Steering system: This component is responsible for controlling the vehicle’s direction through the steering wheel, linkage and tie rods.
- Rear axles: The rear axle is another part of the chassis that makes up the drivetrain system. It is like a shaft that rotates the rear wheels. It transmits power from the differential, while also receiving power from the transmission.
- Wheel bearing: The wheel bearing holds your wheel to the axle and allows it to spin.
- Wheels and tyres: These rolling components, which make contact with the road, are also part of the car chassis. Wheels provide structural support, while tyres provide grip and traction.
Functions Of The Car Chassis
If you’ve been following, you now know everything about the chassis except its main functions. So what makes the chassis so important?
- Design and shape: The chassis generally contributes to the design and shape of a vehicle. However, new advancements in assembly and fabrication technology mean that manufacturers can use some elements of a platform, but make slight changes to the body design of the car or create a different body trim.
- Structural support: The chassis is like the load-bearing part of the car. It carries the weight of the entire car, including the engine, cargo and passengers (in passenger cars).
- Force absorption: With the aid of the suspension and other components, the chassis absorbs and distributes forces acting on the car from various directions.
- Attachment: The chassis also serves as the attachment for various other car systems.
- Safety platform: Finally, the chassis also plays a crucial role in safety in passenger cars. Its rigidity and design help the car withstand impact and protect its occupants.
What’s The Difference Between A Car Chassis And A Car Frame?
The difference between a car chassis and a car frame is that the frame is a part of the chassis. Although these terms are often used interchangeably, they do not mean the exact same thing. The frame is the main structural support of the vehicle. It is the skeleton to which other components of the chassis are attached.
The car chassis, on the other hand, encompasses the frame and all the components attached to it. It is essentially, the chassis and the running gear (all the parts that make the car move).
SDVH offers executive cars for hire, so contact us if you need a suitable car for that special occasion. You can also check out our SUV hire options if you need a dependable car for demanding terrain.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Chassis Important For Vehicle Safety?
Yes, the chassis is important for vehicle safety. In fact, it is like the backbone of the car, providing a strong and stable foundation to support the car body. The chassis is also the load-bearing part of the car, holding all the important components. In the event of an accident, the chassis is responsible for maintaining the vehicle’s structural integrity to protect its occupants.
Which Chassis Is Popular Among Modern Cars?
The monocoque chassis is popular among modern cars. More modern passenger cars have been adopting this chassis type because it is light and rigid, which translates to many advantages like improved handling and fuel efficiency. These chassis, which are also referred to as unibody frames, have rigid structures that absorb impact and contribute to passenger safety.
Does The Chassis Alter A Vehicle’s Performance?
Yes, the chassis alters a vehicle’s performance. For example, rigid chassis with a low centre of gravity are great for racing cars because they maximise responsiveness during cornering and manoeuvring. The chassis is also responsible for stabilising the vehicle and maintaining composure as you accelerate, brake or drive over uneven surfaces.
Is There A Car Without A Chassis?
No, there is no car without a chassis. In the real sense, no car can function safely without a chassis. The chassis frame is the load-bearing part of the vehicle that provides the foundation to support the vehicle and absorb forces during crashes. It also serves as the skeleton, as the car design adapts to its shape.
Can I Change The Chassis Of My Car?
Yes, you can change the chassis of your car if it is a body-on-frame construction. However, most modern vehicles are monocoque, and you can’t change the chassis in these vehicles. Besides, even if you could, changing a chassis is a complex and costly procedure, so it’s better to fix it if it’s damaged. There’s also the issue of legality. Since the chassis is where the VIN number is, you have to consider altering the VIN, which can cause legal complications.
Conclusion
So what is a chassis? The chassis is the backbone of your vehicle. Made up of the car’s frame and other components, it supports the entire vehicle, providing a stable foundation. Now you know how important your car’s chassis is and the role it plays in providing you with an enjoyable driving experience.
