Abstract: A road wheel suspension includes a wishbone 13 which may be for a rear driven wheel. Fore-and-aft compliance is introduced into the suspension without the usual problems of steering by mounting the wishbone on the body via a link 15 which can pivot about a transverse axis. In one embodiment, the inner ends of the front wishbone arms are mounted at the bottom of (plate-shaped) link 15, which is apertured to allow the propshaft to extend through, and the inner ends of the rear arms are resiliently secured to cross-member 21. The link is pivotally mounted on the final drive casing 14 about a transverse axis. The wishbones are stiff as far as lateral deflections are concerned but compliant for fore-and-aft deflections, the latter feature promoting increased ride comfort.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire of braced tread construction has a tread width which is less than its bead width. The sidewalls of the tire each have a flex area located nearer to the tire tread than to the tire bead, which flex area is adapted to exhibit relatively greater flexibility than surrounding areas of the sidewall. The tire is adapted to have a run-flat capability, being of radial ply construction for increased sidewall flexibility, and, when mounted on a wheel, incorporating a lubricant to lubricate areas of contact between the bead and tread regions of the tire when the tire is flat.