Abstract: A multilink suspension assembly for a motor vehicle includes a steering knuckle rotatably mounting thereon a wheel unit, and a tie bar mounted to a respective swivel joint of the steering knuckle. Two lower control links are located aft of the tie bar and have inboard ends mounted to respective mounting junctions on the vehicle chassis and outboard ends mounted to respective swivel joints at a lower end of the steering knuckle. Two upper control links, which are located aft of the tie bar and vertically spaced from the lower control links, have inboard ends mounted to respective mounting junctions on the vehicle chassis and outboard ends mounted to respective swivel joints at an upper end of the steering knuckle. The swivel joints mount the upper and lower control links to the steering knuckle inboard from the wheel unit and below an upper extent of the wheel unit's tire.

Abstract: A suspension system for a vehicle is provided. The vehicle comprises a pair of rear wheels and a prop-shaft. A rear drive unit is operably coupled between the prop-shaft and the pair of rear wheels, the rear drive unit being configured to transmit torque from the prop-shaft to the pair of rear wheels. A twist-beam structure is provided having a first trailing arm and a second trailing arm. Each of the trailing arms is operably coupled to one of the pair of rear wheels. The twist-beam structure further comprising a curved beam member extending between the trailing arms, the curved beam member having a center portion disposed offset from the prop-shaft. A Watt linkage includes a first link coupled to the first trailing arm and a second link coupled to the second trailing arm.

Abstract: A suspension system for a vehicle is provided. The vehicle comprises a pair of rear wheels and a prop-shaft. A rear drive unit is operably coupled between the prop-shaft and the pair of rear wheels, the rear drive unit being configured to transmit torque from the prop-shaft to the pair of rear wheels. A twist-beam structure is provided having a first trailing arm and a second trailing arm. Each of the trailing arms is operably coupled to one of the pair of rear wheels. The twist-beam structure further comprising a curved beam member extending between the trailing arms, the curved beam member having a center portion disposed offset from the prop-shaft. A Watt linkage includes a first link coupled to the first trailing arm and a second link coupled to the second trailing arm.

Abstract: A suspension apparatus for a vehicle includes a bar operatively connectable to driver-side and passenger-side suspension corner assemblies to extend therebetween and rotatably mountable to the vehicle body between the suspension corner assemblies. The suspension apparatus also includes a body load reaction component that is operatively connectable to at least one of the body and the bar. The body load reaction component is engaged to provide reaction force on the body to manage vertical displacement of the body.

Abstract: A suspension apparatus for a vehicle includes a bar operatively connectable to driver-side and passenger-side suspension corner assemblies to extend therebetween and rotatably mountable to the vehicle body between the suspension corner assemblies. The suspension apparatus also includes a body load reaction component that is operatively connectable to at least one of the body and the bar. The body load reaction component is engaged to provide reaction force on the body to manage vertical displacement of the body.

Abstract: An automatically variable vehicle ground clearance for motor vehicles with semi-elliptical spring suspensions. A drive member is placed at each wheel corner to be height adjusted, the drive member being motor driven. An operator may select a height preference by operation of a switch, or a controller may provide a range of height selections based upon an algorithm which is responsive to sensed vehicle ride conditions, as for example vehicle speed, to optimize vehicle performance.

Abstract: An automatically variable vehicle ground clearance for motor vehicles with semi-elliptical spring suspensions. A drive member is placed at each wheel corner to be height adjusted, the drive member being motor driven. An operator may select a height preference by operation of a switch, or a controller may provide a range of height selections based upon an algorithm which is responsive to sensed vehicle ride conditions, as for example vehicle speed, to optimize vehicle performance.

Abstract: Control arms used to support a swivel member retaining a wheel of a vehicle are attached to the body or frame rail of the vehicle by U-shaped attachment brackets having walls with lateral slots therein, each of which receives a mounting bolt therethrough. The mounting bolts pass through bushings in the ends of the control arms to pivot the control arms on the vehicle body or frame rail. Adjacent to the heads of the bolts are pairs of reaction surfaces that in one embodiment of the invention are pairs of opposed projecting surfaces on the attachment brackets. Separate tools are provided which have cams thereon each having a first peripheral cam surface for engaging one of the reaction surfaces and a second peripheral cam surface for engaging the other reaction surface. Upon loosening nuts threaded on the mounting bolts and rotating the cams with levers, socket wrench handles or other drives, the bolts shift laterally in the lateral slots enabling adjustment of the camber and caster of the wheels.

Abstract: Control arms used to support a swivel member retaining a wheel of a vehicle are attached to the body or frame rail of the vehicle by U-shaped attachment brackets having walls with lateral slots therein, each of which receives a mounting bolt therethrough. The mounting bolts pass through bushings in the ends of the control arms to pivot the control arms on the vehicle body or frame rail. Adjacent to the heads of the bolts are pairs of reaction surfaces that in one embodiment of the invention are pairs of opposed projecting surfaces on the attachment brackets. Separate tools are provided which have cams thereon each having a first peripheral cam surface for engaging one of the reaction surfaces and a second peripheral cam surface for engaging the other reaction surface. Upon loosening nuts threaded on the mounting bolts and rotating the cams with levers, socket wrench handles or other drives, the bolts shift laterally in the lateral slots enabling adjustment of the camber and caster of the wheels.