|
|
|
|
Rear
Suspension
Rear Suspensions
Rear suspensions differ from front suspensions in two areas. First, the rear wheels don’t
normally turn. Secondly, the load on the suspension may vary because the rear of most vehicles is the cargo area.
Most rear suspensions utilize either leaf springs or coil springs. Leaf springs can be single or multi-leaf depending on vehicle weight and intended load. The leaf spring
supports the vehicle and controls the location of the axle. Coil springs are the most popular type of spring. However, they cannot control the location of the axle. For that reason, rear control arms or trailing arms
can be used in conjunction with coil springs. Springs may be mounted on the axle or trailing arms.
There are three common types of rear suspensions:
1. Solid axle
2. Stamped axle
3. Independent
1. Solid axle
A solid (driving) axle with coil or leaf springs has been popular for years because of the popularity of rear wheel drive vehicles. A solid axle with leaf spring is still the most common rear suspension for light trucks. |
Solid axle with leaf spring |
|
|
| Solid
axle with coil spring |
2.
Stamped
axle
The rear suspension on many front wheel drive vehicles uses a stamped axle. On some of these the spindle is behind the stamped cross section
(axle). Technically, the cross section does not function as an axle but as an anti-sway component. All these suspensions use a coil spring mounted on the axle or on an attaching strut. |
|
|
Stamped axle rear suspension |
3. Independent suspensions
The most popular rear suspension for front wheel drive vehicles is an independent suspension using a lower control arm, or track arms. There are many variations, using a combination of control arms and links with coil springs and
shock absorbers or a strut with coils mounted on the strut or control arm. Again, common components to most of these rear suspensions are coil springs, control arm bushings and shock absorbers or struts.
There are many variations of rear independent suspensions, three of which are shown here.
Coil-over strut:
The coil is mounted to the strut. Lateral links are used to connect the strut and spindle to the vehicle body. Track bars
control side to side axle movement. |
 |
|
Coil-over strut |
Modified strut:
The coil is mounted on a lower control arm that pivots on rubber bushings. A ball joint is used as the outer pivot. A tie rod assembly is used to set individual toe. |
 |
|
Modified strut |
Multi-link:
A coil spring is mounted on a strut that uses an upper arm (multi-link) to control wheel movement. The upper arm adds to vehicle stability and reduces tire wear. Several lower arms are used to reinforce wheel position relative to the chassis. These arms also use rubber bushings
or ball joints as pivots. |
 |
|
Multi-link strut |
|
|
