Abstract: The invention is directed toward a hydropneumatic suspension and a method involved in controlling such a hydropneumatic suspension as is used in relation to cross-country motor vehicles, which, in spite of being of a simple, inexpensive and repair-friendly structure, makes it possible to take account of both static and also dynamic factors and which in addition permits both manual and also automatic control. The hydropneumatic suspension, such as for motor vehicles, has at least two hydropneumatic springs which are in flow communication with each and also with a metering cylinder by way of a load distribution unit which is distinguished in that the load distribution unit has at least the following switching positions; flow separation of the hydropneumatic springs, flow communication only of the two connected hydropneumatic springs with each other, and flow communication of the two hydropneumatic springs and the metering cylinder with each other.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and apparatus for regulating the distance between the frame and a wheel unit or axle of a motor vehicle by means of a hydrodynamic suspension element by varying the volume of the damping liquid. The vehicle frame is sprung and damped at both sides of the vehicle relative to one or more wheel axles by means of hydropneumatic springs, wherein one of the volumes of the hydropneumatic springs is variable. In this arrangement, to increase the distance the static volume is supplemented by an additonal volume and to reduce the distance the static volume is reduced by a reduction volume. Associated with one or more parallel-connected hydropneumatic springs is a metering unit which can add or withdraw at least one defined additional volume and/or reduction volume with respect to the instantaneous sum of the damping volumes of the associated hydropneumatic springs.