Random Tank Fact: On Merkava Suspension
Unlike most main batter tanks which either use a torsion bar or a hydroneumatic suspension, the Merkava main battle tanks use a more simple coil spring suspension system.
This was originally based on the Horstmann suspension of the Sho't Centurion main battle tanks which the Israel Defense Force originally used and was found to be very reliable and easy to repair compared to the torsion bars on their M48 Patton tanks.
The suspension system uses two coil stings of different sizes with the smaller one contained inside the larger one to increase the suspension's weight capacity without having to use thicker and larger coil springs. Just like on torsion bar suspensions, each of the suspension arms are also equipped with a pneumatic shock absorber to avoid damaging the suspension system when the tank jumps or runs over obstacles at high speed. The Merkava's suspension system is very easy to repair and are a lot less vulnerable to mine damage compared to other suspension systems.
The suspension's coil springs also provide an additional amount of armor protection with each spring set being equivalent to 50mm of rolled homogeneous armor and can help protect the vehicle against Explosively Formed Penetrator IEDs.
It does come with a few draw backs though with, aside from being more expensive than torsion bars, coil springs only give a shorter degree of travel for the suspension arms. It is also more unstable and produces more vibrations which reduces crew comfort and significantly affects the gun's accuracy when the tank is firing on the move.