Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Ford Motor Company Limited

Chunping John Meng

David Scott Rohweder

Jeffrey Michael Hatt

Donald Frank Tandy, Jr

A novel steerable solid axle suspension system capable of eliminating the need for steering dampers includes a solid axle (12) suspended from a vehicle frame (14) by leaf spring assemblies (48) and right and left shock absorbers (30, 38). The suspension also includes a track bar (140) laterally connecting the solid axle (12) to the frame (14). The suspension also includes a steering gear (132) having a pitman arm (130) connected to a drag link (128). The drag link (128) extends downwardly to connect to a tie rod (122) which extends between and interconnects first and second steering knuckles (24, 22).

Steerable solid axle suspension for a vehicle

A novel twin I-beam front suspension system is disclosed having a first and a second radius arm, the rearward end of each radius arm being adapted to cooperate with a bushing to connect to the vehicle frame. The radius arm bushing static rate on one side of the suspension differs from the radius arm bushing static rate on the other side of the suspension so as to balance the radius arm longitudinal deflections on the two sides of the vehicle. In the preferred embodiment, a silent block bushing replaces the traditional radius arm bushing to reduce pan complexity and to provide increased radius arm bushing life. Radius arm systems are also disclosed which permit quick, easy and accurate adjustment of the front wheel caster angle. A parallelogram steering linkage decouples the two front wheels from one another to provide a toe curve for each front tire that is independent of the vertical displacement of the other front tire.

Growing community of inventors

Rochester Hills, MI, United States of America

Chunping John Meng