Twist-beam rear suspension

The torsion beam axle is a type of the rear axle in cars with front wheel drive. It is a widespread construction in the compact class; so were I to IV for example mounted VW Golf with a twist beam axle. For cost reasons, it is used in the VW Golf VII for engines under 122 hp again.

The suspension consists of two solid longitudinal wings that are connected near the front of their rotation axis by a welded profile. Typically the profile has a U- or T- shaped cross section and is dimensioned so that it is rotated for one-sided spring deflection and rebound, and acts as a stabilizer.

In the similarly structured coupling beam axle trailing arms are connected approximately in the middle of a downwardly open U-shaped profile with welded torsion tube ( eg: Audi 50). If uneven compression they behave as semi-trailing arm suspension. Connects the profile of the trailing arm at its end, one speaks of a Torsionskurbelachse ( eg: Audi 100). Kinematic this axis corresponds to a rigid axle.

Torsion beam axes are fixed with only two bearings on the vehicle structure and consist of very few parts, therefore, it makes the realized particularly cost structures. The welds between rocker and torsion beam are subjected to high stresses and therefore difficult to manufacture.

Compared with rigid axles torsion beam axes have the advantage that the compression due to a bump on one side attracts much less movement of the wheel on the other side by itself. A disadvantage of the tendency to lateral force oversteer and the positive Wanksturzfaktor can be seen.

All three rear axle constructions belong to the semi- rigid axles and are therefore not independent suspensions.

Swell

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