FORD INTRODUCES INDEPENDENT SUSPENSION ON 4 X 4S

Ford Motor Co.'s new twin traction beam suspension for its 1980 four-wheel drive vehicles uses stamped support arms and a third U-joint in the front axle to achieve independent front suspension (IFS). The new suspension was specially developed for the front drive axle. The IFS uses an integrated systems approach which incorporates suspension functions into the basic axle design (axle support arms are also suspension arms). Ride is improved by reduced reactive forces fed back from the tires due to less unsprung mass and separation of inputs from each wheel. Control is improved because bump deflections at one front tire do not significantly disturb the other tire. With the IFS, gyroscopic moments are not directly additive and shimmy is reduced to a level where the steering damper is no longer deemed necessary. Lower vehicle height and center of gravity are realized with the new design. Overcoming the height disadvantage of the previous monobeam design, the engine oil pan can be lowered because the axle center need not move upward with vertical wheel deflections. Details of the description include the design evolution, the suspension design criteria, packaging, steering, and the final design (specifications for differential carrier, U-joints, slip yoke, knuckle, spindle, and axle arm stamping).

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/2240909
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Based on SAE-791035, "Evolution of the New Ford Light Truck Four Wheel Drive Independent Front Suspension," by G. S. Bedi and W.H.R. Lake.
• Corporate Authors:

  Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)

  400 Commonwealth Drive
  Warrendale, PA  United States  15096
• Publication Date: 1980-1

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 46-53
• Serial:
  • Automotive Engineering
  • Volume: 88
  • Issue Number: 1
  • Publisher: Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)
  • ISSN: 0098-2571

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Automated vehicle control; Axles; Design; Four wheel drive; Ride quality; Suspension systems; Suspensions
• Uncontrolled Terms: Design criteria
• Old TRIS Terms: Axle drive; Independent suspensions
• Subject Areas: Design; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00379651
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: HS-030 234
• Files: HSL, USDOT
• Created Date: Dec 30 1983 12:00AM