Function

The trailing arm wheel suspension (here as a twist-beam axle) should guide the non-driven rear wheels in a particularly simple, space saving manner and be reasonably priced. A connecting beam makes costly bearings in the vehicle base unnecessary and can partially substitute for a stabiliser.

How it works

There are, as well as individual guides for each rear wheel, also those which are joined by U- or L-shaped beams. Single güides can be swivel-mounted on a diagonally lying, tubular connection beam. Trailing arms provide for constant camber and track (but not wheelbase) spring compression. They are mostly supported against the construction through suspension struts (coil springs with integrated oscillation damper. Due to the fact that these often take up a lot of space in the rear wheel housings, there are also constructions with separate, low-lying, horizontal coil springs and/or horizontal shock absorbers or shock absorber struts. More seldom, are constructions using torsion bar springs. A welded, connecting beam (see figure 3) functions with one-sided spring compression, as a torsion bar spring and completely or partially takes over the function of the stabiliser. Then, however, an additional stabiliser is also possible in certain types (see figure 3). The rubber mixtures in the pivot points of the trailing arms, often have, front and rear, seen in the direction of motion, differing elasticity. Thereby, the countersteering of the rear axle when cornering is possible.

Important

During the installation of rubber bearings in the suspension, the mounting direction must be observed (see figure 2). 09/09

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