Aluminium Axle Carrier
       

This cross-member is something from way back in the old days. It was then done away with, for weight reasons, at least in the compact car segment. For some time now, the sub-frame is being used again. The one in the above picture is even made of aluminium. It supports the engine, particularly if high torque is demanded, it carries the rack-and-pinion steering and the stabiliser, and it gives more rigidity to the front-end, to which it is mounted on six points, to reduce noises. In the event of an accident, it fulfills very important functions. In the example shown above, even the wishbones can be unbolted and taken apart.

In general, the manufacturing methods of some parts of the suspension have changed radically. Parts which are complicated to form, are pre-formed from simple geometric components, e.g., pipes and tubing, after that they are shaped into sometimes bizarre forms using enormous water pressure (hydroform-process). Just imagine, you need a sort of honeycomb structure to increase the stability between two larger metal plates. Inside and outside additional plates are so skillfully (spot) welded, that when warmed and inflated under high pressure, the structure is precisely maintained. 01/12