Description & Operation: Notes

Speed-Sensitive Suspension (SSS) system automatically controls firmness of vehicle ride and varies the effort required to turn the steering wheel.

NOTE: Ride control and variable effort steering are both controlled and monitored by the Speed Sensing Suspension (SSS) module. Only the ride control portion of the system is covered in this article. For information on variable effort steering, see STEERING SYSTEM - VARIABLE EFFORT article in STEERING.

SSS control module controls an electric actuator in each strut. The actuator rotates a selector valve that has 3 different sized orifices. The position of the selector valve affects the firmness of the strut damping characteristics. See Fig 1. SSS control module positions the selector valve to adjust ride firmness based on vehicle speed, lateral acceleration and lift/dive. Refer to the ELECTRICAL COMPONENT LOCATIONS table. Actuators are an integral part of strut and are not serviceable separately from strut. System has self-diagnostic feature that stores codes in SSS control module memory if system fault occurs.

NOTE: The terms shock absorber and strut are used interchangeably in this article.

ELECTRICAL COMPONENT LOCATIONS

Component	Location
Actuator	Integral Part Of Strut
Data Link Connector (DLC)	Left Of Steering Column
Lateral Acceleration Switch	Under Center Console, At Floor
Powertrain Control Module (PCM)	Behind Right Kick Panel
Speed-Sensitive Suspension (SSS)Control Module	Right Side Of Trunk

Fig 1: Cross-Sectional View of Strut Assembly

Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.