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Master’s in Classic Suspension and Brakes Engineering — Leaf Springs, Double Wishbones, Drums/Discs, Servo and Friction Materials

Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in classic suspension and brake engineering, structured in 12 modules covering classic vehicle dynamics, leaf springs and beam axles, independent suspension, damping, steering, drum and early disc brakes, hydraulics and servos, friction materials, wheels and tyres and chassis testing, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration1900 h
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma
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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Analyse the dynamics of classic vehicles.

02

Rebuild leaf springs, suspensions and dampers.

03

Adjust steering geometry.

04

Restore period drum and disc brakes.

05

Select safe friction materials.

06

Overhaul wheels and tyres.

07

Validate the chassis with standardised tests.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Classic chassis technicians working on suspension, steering and brakes.
  • Brake specialists rebuilding drums, callipers, master cylinders and servos.
  • Mechanical restorers handling running gear on historic vehicles.
  • Alignment technicians setting camber, castor and toe on classic cars.
  • Historic competition preparers who need safe, well-sorted chassis.
  • Historic vehicle mechanics looking to deepen their chassis engineering.
  • Engineering or science graduates looking to move into classic vehicle restoration.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • UN Regulation No. 13 (braking of vehicles)
  • UN Regulation No. 90 (replacement brake lining assemblies, drums and discs)
  • ISO 4925 (non-petroleum-base brake fluid for hydraulic systems)
  • FMVSS 116 (US federal standard for motor vehicle brake fluids)
  • Directive 2014/45/EU (periodic roadworthiness tests for motor vehicles)
  • SAE J661 (brake lining quality test procedure)
  • Regulation (EC) 1907/2006, Annex XVII (REACH restrictions, including asbestos fibres)
  • Real Decreto 892/2013 (Spanish regulation on historic vehicles)
  • OptimumKinematics
  • Lotus Suspension Analysis
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Autodesk Fusion
Syllabus

12 modules · 1900 h

  1. 1.1Sprung and unsprung masses
  2. 1.2Suspension stiffness and frequencies
  3. 1.3Load transfer
  4. 1.4Roll centre
  5. 1.5Steering geometry
  6. 1.6Cross-ply and radial tyres
  7. 1.7Understeer and oversteer behaviour
  8. 1.8Differences from modern vehicles
  9. 1.9Safety criteria
  10. 1.10Case study: dynamic analysis of a 1960s saloon
  1. 2.1Types of leaf spring
  2. 2.2Semi-elliptic and quarter-elliptic springs
  3. 2.3Shackles and pins
  4. 2.4Front beam axles
  5. 2.5Live rear axles
  6. 2.6Panhard rods and radius arms
  7. 2.7Reconditioning leaf springs
  8. 2.8Re-setting and re-arching
  9. 2.9Leaf lubrication
  10. 2.10Workshop: rebuilding a leaf spring
  1. 3.1Double-wishbone suspension
  2. 3.2Trailing-arm suspension
  3. 3.3Rear swing axles
  4. 3.4Torsion bars
  5. 3.5Early MacPherson struts
  6. 3.6Citroën hydropneumatic suspension
  7. 3.7Hydrolastic and Hydragas
  8. 3.8Ball joints and bushes
  9. 3.9Rubber bushes and polyurethane
  10. 3.10Practical exercise: overhauling a double-wishbone front end
  1. 4.1Friction dampers
  2. 4.2Lever-arm dampers
  3. 4.3Period telescopic dampers
  4. 4.4Rebuilding lever-arm dampers
  5. 4.5Fluid viscosity
  6. 4.6Valving and curves
  7. 4.7Adjustable dampers for sporting use
  8. 4.8Damper diagnosis
  9. 4.9Selecting replacements
  10. 4.10Laboratory: damper curve on a test bench
  1. 5.1Worm-and-sector steering boxes
  2. 5.2Recirculating-ball steering boxes
  3. 5.3Rack-and-pinion steering
  4. 5.4Track rods and ball joints
  5. 5.5Steering play
  6. 5.6Geometry: camber, castor and toe
  7. 5.7Aligning classic vehicles
  8. 5.8Early power steering
  9. 5.9Steering columns
  10. 5.10Case study: aligning a 1950s vehicle
  1. 6.1Rod- and cable-operated mechanical brakes
  2. 6.2Lockheed hydraulic brakes
  3. 6.3Leading and trailing shoes
  4. 6.4Duplex and twin-leading-shoe brakes
  5. 6.5Shoe adjustment
  6. 6.6Skimming drums
  7. 6.7Wheel cylinders and slave cylinders
  8. 6.8Handbrake
  9. 6.9Drum brake diagnosis
  10. 6.10Workshop: rebuilding a duplex brake
  1. 7.1Early Dunlop and Girling discs
  2. 7.2Opposed-piston callipers
  3. 7.3First-generation floating callipers
  4. 7.4Solid and ventilated discs
  5. 7.5Skimming discs
  6. 7.6Rebuilding callipers
  7. 7.7Stainless-steel pistons
  8. 7.8Drum-to-disc conversion
  9. 7.9Legality of conversions
  10. 7.10Practical exercise: rebuilding a Girling calliper
  1. 8.1Single and tandem master cylinders
  2. 8.2Split brake circuits
  3. 8.3Vacuum brake servos
  4. 8.4Lockheed remote servos
  5. 8.5Flexible hoses and pipes
  6. 8.6Cupronickel brake pipes
  7. 8.7Bleeding the system
  8. 8.8DOT brake fluids
  9. 8.9DOT 5 silicone fluid
  10. 8.10Laboratory: bleeding and pressure-testing a circuit
  1. 9.1History of friction materials
  2. 9.2Asbestos: hazards and prohibition
  3. 9.3Organic linings
  4. 9.4Semi-metallic linings
  5. 9.5Ceramic linings
  6. 9.6Friction coefficient and fade
  7. 9.7Riveting and bonding linings
  8. 9.8Approval of replacement parts
  9. 9.9Selection for historic use
  10. 9.10Case study: selecting linings for a rally classic
  1. 10.1Wire wheels
  2. 10.2Truing wire wheels
  3. 10.3Steel and alloy wheels
  4. 10.4Period tyres
  5. 10.5Date codes and ageing
  6. 10.6Recommended inflation pressures
  7. 10.7Wheel balancing
  8. 10.8Centre-lock wheels
  9. 10.9Wheel safety
  10. 10.10Workshop: truing a wire wheel
  1. 11.1Brake testing on a roller bench
  2. 11.2Braking efficiency at the roadworthiness test (ITV)
  3. 11.3Suspension testing
  4. 11.4Road testing
  5. 11.5Discreet safety upgrades
  6. 11.6Full documentation of the process
  7. 11.7Preventive maintenance plan
  8. 11.8Originality criteria
  9. 11.9Preparation for sporting use
  10. 11.10Practical exercise: chassis test plan
  1. 12.1Selecting the vehicle
  2. 12.2Analysing the original system
  3. 12.3Diagnosing the initial condition
  4. 12.4Restoration plan
  5. 12.5Carrying out the work
  6. 12.6Bench and road testing
  7. 12.7Full documentation of the process
  8. 12.8Conclusions and future work
  9. 12.9Master's Thesis report
  10. 12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

The programme is 100% online on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within the intake, so you can combine it with your job.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is OptimumKinematics, Lotus Suspension Analysis, Microsoft Excel and Autodesk Fusion, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures: brake testing on a roller bench, steering alignment and damper curves on a test bench. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.

Standards covered: UN Regulation No. 13, UN Regulation No. 90, ISO 4925, FMVSS 116, Directive 2014/45/EU, SAE J661, Regulation (EC) 1907/2006, Annex XVII, Real Decreto 892/2013.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of UN Regulation No. 13, UN Regulation No. 90 and ISO 4925 applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:OptimumKinematics, Lotus Suspension Analysis, Microsoft Excel and Autodesk Fusion, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Master's Thesis with defence:a complete suspension and brake restoration of a classic vehicle, validated by bench and road testing, defended before a panel.
Flexible format:100% online, no fixed timetables, compatible with full-time work.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Dynamic analysis
Analyse the original suspension and steering layout and its dynamic behaviour.
Suspension rebuild
Rebuild leaf springs, wishbones or dampers and set the steering geometry.
Brake restoration
Rebuild drum brakes or Girling callipers and bleed and pressure-test the hydraulic circuit.
Friction and wheels
Select safe friction materials and true, balance and check the wheels and tyres.
Master's Thesis
A complete chassis restoration project validated on the bench and the road, defended before a panel.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Classic chassis technicianBrake specialistMechanical restorerAlignment technicianHistoric competition preparerHistoric vehicle mechanic
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • A university degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
  • An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
  • English sufficient to read technical standards.

Ready to start?

Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme totals 1,900 hours over 12–14 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.

You work with OptimumKinematics, Lotus Suspension Analysis, Microsoft Excel and Autodesk Fusion, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.

A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the Master's Thesis. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.

Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.

A university degree in engineering, science or architecture (or equivalent professional experience), a computer able to run the software and English sufficient to read technical standards.

Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.

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