Abstract: A rear subframe assembly, for use in a vehicle, includes a first and second side member that are coupled to a front cross member, a lower cross member, and an upper cross member. First and second gussets are provided to reinforce joints between each of the first and second side members and the front cross member. A motor mount portion for mounting a motor thereon is located between the side members and includes a first and second motor bracket each coupled to the front cross member through an isolator and to one of the side members through an isolator, the isolators for isolating the motor from vibration. A fuel tank mounting portion for mounting a fuel tank onto the subframe member is also provided.

Abstract: A rear subframe assembly, for use in a vehicle, includes a first and second side member that are coupled to a front cross member, a lower cross member, and an upper cross member. First and second gussets are provided to reinforce joints between each of the first and second side members and the front cross member. A motor mount portion for mounting a motor thereon is located between the side members and includes a first and second motor bracket each coupled to the front cross member through an isolator and to one of the side members through an isolator, the isolators for isolating the motor from vibration. A fuel tank mounting portion for mounting a fuel tank onto the subframe member is also provided.

Abstract: An independent suspension for a vehicle comprises a chassis, an upwardly extending telescopic suspension unit and means connecting the upper end of the suspension unit to the chassis. The suspension further includes a wheel support member for rotatably mounting a roadwheel, the wheel support member including double isolation means for resiliently mounting the lower end of the suspension unit to the wheel support member.

Abstract: A steering system for the rear wheels of a vehicle with the steering gear including a motor drive for positioning the rear wheels and a control mechanism for operating the steering gear and including apparatus responsive to a sensed vehicular operating parameter for overriding the steering gear motor drive so as to prevent the steering gear from exceeding a predetermined fractional component of the angular range of steering authority.

Abstract: A steering gear and system for a vehicle having steerable roadwheels located on more than one axle includes a control module, a rotary motor responsive to signals from the control module for providing power for steering the roadwheels, and a nonreversible gearset powered by the motor for converting rotary motion of the motor into linear motion for steering the roadwheels, with the motor being capable of driving the gearset but with the gearset being incapable of driving the motor in response to force inputs from the roadwheels into the gearset.

Abstract: A steering system for a vehicle having steerable roadwheels on more than one axle includes a manually operable front steering gear for steering the front wheels of the vehicle, an electronically controlled second steering gear for steering the roadwheels of the vehicle on a second axle and a control system for operating the second steering gear, with the control system including paired steering position sensors within each of the steering gears.

Abstract: An independent rear wheel suspension for a motor vehicle having front wheel drive includes upper and lower transverse control arms pivotally mounted to the wheel support member. The wheel support member includes a spindle for mounting a road wheel. The upper control arm is mounted to the wheel support member at a position forward of the spindle. The lower control arm has a bifurcated outboard end with each bifurcation housing a bushing attaching the control arm to the wheel carrier. The suspension also includes a spring member, a longitudinal strut and a telescoping shock absorber.

Abstract: An independent wheel suspension for a vehicle is suitable for use with either driven or non-driven wheels and includes a lower control arm and toe correcting link which urges the control arm and its associated wheel carrier in the direction of toe in during wheel recession.

Abstract: An independent rear wheel suspenison for a motor vehicle having front wheel drive includes a telescopic strut rigidly mounted to a wheel support member and having its upper end pivotably mounted to the vehicle chassis. Two laterally extending control arms are pivotably connected at their outboard ends to the wheel support member and at their inboard ends to the vehicle chassis. The two control arms are longitudinally spaced apart and the wheel spindle is longitudinally positioned between the two arms. One arm has an integrally formed spring seat which seats a coil spring interposed between the arm and the vehicle chassis. The two control arms are connected together through a resilient bushing that is constructed to control the amount of wheel recession. In addition, the suspension can be constructed to control the toe angle of the rear wheel during jounce or recession of the rear wheel.

Abstract: A rear wheel suspension for a motor vehicle having front wheel drive includes a telescopic strut rigidly mounted to a wheel support member and having its upper end pivotably mounted to the vehicle chassis. Two laterally extending control arms are pivotably connected at their outboard ends to the wheel support member and at their inboard ends to the vehicle chassis. The two control arms are spaced and have a spring seat bracket pivotably mounted therebetween which seats an outer end of a transverse leaf spring interposed between the bracket and the vehicle chassis. The spring seat is pivotable with respect to the control arms to allow the control arms to undergo jounce and rebound movement while maintaining the spring seat bracket in a near horizontal position. In addition, the spring seat bracket allows the control arms to control the toe angle of the rear wheel during recession of the rear wheel as well as evenly distributes the leaf spring load onto the two arms.

Abstract: An independent rear wheel suspension for a motor vehicle having front wheel drive includes a telescopic strut rigidly mounted to a wheel support member and having its upper end pivotably mounted to the vehicle chassis. Two laterally extending control arms are pivotably connected at their outboard ends to the wheel support member and at their inboard ends to the vehicle chassis. The two control arms are longitudinally spaced apart and having a spring seat bracket pivotably mounted therebetween which seats a coil spring interposed between the bracket and the vehicle chassis. The spring seat is pivotable with respect to the control arms to allow the control arms to undergo jounce and rebound movement while maintaining the spring seat bracket in a near horizontal position. In addition, the spring seat bracket allows the control arms to control the toe angle of the rear wheel during recession of the rear wheel.

Abstract: An independent rear wheel suspension for a motor vehicle having front wheel drive includes a telescopic strut rigidly mounted to a wheel support member and having its upper end pivotably mounted to the vehicle chassis. Two laterally extending control arms are pivotably connected at their outboard ends to the wheel support member and at their inboard ends to the vehicle chassis. The two control arms are longitudinally spaced apart. One arm has an integrally formed spring seat which seats a coil spring interposed between the arm and the vehicle chassis. One of the arms is mounted through two longitudinally spaced resilient bushings which controls the amount of wheel recession. In addition, the suspension can be constructed to control toe-in of the rear wheel during jounce of recession of the rear wheel.

Abstract: An independent rear wheel suspension for a motor vehicle having front wheel drive includes a wheel support member, and two laterally extending control arms pivotably connected at their outboard ends to the wheel support member and at their inboard ends to the vehicle chassis. The two laterally extending control arms are longitudinally and vertically spaced apart. One arm has an integrally formed spring seat which seats a coil spring interposed between the arm and the vehicle chassis. A trailing arm is rigidly connected to the wheel support member and has its front end connected through a resilient bushing. The resilient bushing has an outer sleeve coaxially mounted about an inner sleeve with layers of bonded elastomeric material and coaxial rings interposed therebetween and bonded to the inner and outer sleeves. In addition, the suspension can be constructed to control toe-in of the rear wheel during jounce or recession of the rear wheel.

Abstract: An independent rear wheel suspension for a motor vehicle having front wheel drive includes a telescopic strut rigidly mounted to a wheel support member and having its upper end pivotably mounted to the vehicle chassis. Two laterally extending control arms are pivotably connected at their outboard ends to the wheel support member and at their inboard ends to the vehicle chassis. The two control arms are longitudinally spaced apart. One arm has an integrally formed spring seat which seats a coil spring interposed between the arm and the vehicle chassis. One of the arms is mounted through two longitudinally spaced resilient bushings which controls the amount of wheel recession. In addition, the suspension can be constructed to control the toe angle of the rear wheel during jounce or recession of the rear wheel.