Chrysler Corporation

Daimlerchrysler Corporation

Michael A Dazy

Mark Thompson

Scott A Bone

Paul B McCormick

Steven T Houtman

Mark F Jacoby

Joseph Roy

Jeffrey D Foor

Louis Moncion

A method to reduce backlash in a drive train of a four-wheel drive vehicle, the method including receiving rotational parameters from sensors in the four-wheel drive vehicle, determining a torque reversal in the drive train based on the received rotational parameters and sending a command signal to initiate engagement of a clutch pack in a transfer case of the drive train responsive to the determination.

Method to reduce backlash in a drive train

An upper control arm assembly for a rear axle of an uni-body vehicle. The uni-body vehicle includes a pair of longitudinally spaced opposing sills generally extending along the length of the vehicle. The upper control arm assembly comprises an upper control arm having a central portion and a pair of end portions. The central portion of the upper control arm is positioned over the rear axle of the vehicle. Each of the pair of end portions of the upper control arm is positioned adjacent the pair of opposing sills of the vehicle and define a bushing aperture. A pair of spool bushings is also provided for retaining the upper control arm. The pair of spool bushings are vertically disposed in the bushing apertures so as to pivotally couple the upper control arm to the pair of opposing sills of the uni-body vehicle. The vertical orientation of the spool bushings maximizes the lateral stiffness of the rear suspension system of the uni-body vehicle, while providing lower fore/aft and vertical stiffnesses. The lower fore/aft stiffness is beneficial in reducing road and powertrain induced harshness. The lower vertical stiffness is beneficial in reducing the amount of vibrational energy transmitted to the vehicle as noise, vibration, and harshness.

Rear suspension upper control arm (A-arm) with vertically mounted spool

An automotive suspension strut module has an upper mount assembly which includes a unitary plastic upper mount carrier formed with a through passage which is concentrically disposed about the strut principal axis. The passage is formed with a recessed pocket terminating in an internal annular shoulder, on which is seated a composite strut rod isolator having a metal rod connector cup embedded therein. The rod threaded upper end, which is positioned through a cup bottom wall aperture for threaded attachment by a nut, has its isolator annulus bonded to the connector cup by virtue of the side wall of the connector cup being embedded in the annulus of the rod isolator, whereby the strut rod loads may be tuned independently of the suspension travel loads. An upper end of the plastic carrier is molded with a radially outward flange, defining a circular undersurface seat for an upper end of the suspension helical spring, thereby providing a compact light weight strut upper mount assembly that is readily mounted to the vehicle body structure.

Rear suspension strut upper mount

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Northville, MI, United States of America

Michael A Dazy