FRONT WHEEL DRIVE STEERING & SUSPENSION

In order to meet U. S. Government fuel-economy regulations, automobile manufacturers reduce weight and size of their cars. Such changes necessitate improvements in suspension systems in order to preserve, so far as possible, the riding qualities (including stability in cross-winds) expected by Americans. As overall size is reduced, an obvious way to preserve seating space is to adopt front-wheel drive, already done by General Motors for its "X-body" line, due in Spring, 1979. Front-wheel drive in turn introduces new suspension and steering problems. Another path for ride-improvement is four-wheel independent suspension, adopted by some General Motors lines together with front-wheel drive, providing also both interior space, a flat tonneau floor, and a shorter wheelbase. The article reviews the various solutions to steering and suspension problems by automakers: General Motors, Ford, Chrysler, and American Motors.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/31209162
• Corporate Authors:

  Automotive Industries International

  Chilton Way
  Radnor, PA  United States  19089
• Authors:
  • MCELROY, J
• Publication Date: 1978-11

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 36-41
• Serial:
  • Automotive Industries
  • Volume: 158
  • Issue Number: 16
  • Publisher: Randall Publishing Company
  • ISSN: 1099-4130
  • Serial URL: http://www.ai-online.com

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Automobile industry; Automobiles; Automotive engineering; Federal government; Front wheel drive; Fuel consumption; Regulations; Riding qualities; Stability (Mechanics); Steering; Steering systems; Suspension systems; Vehicles
• Geographic Terms: United States
• Old TRIS Terms: Independent suspension; Suspension (Stability)
• Subject Areas: Energy; Highways; Law; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00314838
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Engineering Index
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 22 1980 12:00AM