The type of rear suspension depends on whether the car is front-wheel drive, rear-wheel or all-wheel drive. Initially, front-wheel drive cars employed a solid beam axle setup at the rear. However, as ride quality and handling became important even for mainstream buyers, car manufacturers improved the rear suspensions on their front-drive cars to where they are now, which is using independently-suspended designs for the rear that use a MacPherson strut, multilink setup or unequal length A-arm setup. Since the rear wheels on a front-wheel drive car do not need the steering gear needed for the front suspension, it is a simple matter to adapt the front suspension for use as rear suspensions in front-drive cars.
Rear-wheel drive suspension for cars can use a live axle with a multilink-type suspension, but, as we said, more modern cars now use 4-wheel independent suspensions because of ride and handling requirements and competition in the market. It must be noted that cars like the 2011 Challenger Drag Pak use a live axle to handle the power and torque that the V10 engine puts out. Unlike in the 60s though, cars like these are the exception today rather than the rule. Rear-wheel drive independent suspensions have the differential bolted to the car's unibody or to a sub frame.
External driveshafts with universal joints on either end connect to the wheel hubs. Springs or MacPherson-type struts are then used in conjunction with control links or trailing arms attached to the car's frame. Vehicles with 4-wheel steering also employ a mechanism that allows the rear wheels to swivel a little. While most mass-produced cars today are equipped with IRS, specialist car manufacturers, particularly those that make lightweight track cars, sometimes employ a de Dion rear suspension. It has the advantages of no camber change on rebound, which greatly improves traction, as well as having reduced unsprung weight which improves overall handling.
All-wheel drive cars' rear suspensions normally mimic the design for the front suspension. While double wishbone suspensions are recognized as superior in performance because of its rigidity and the camber control it provides, the MacPherson strut still sees a lot of use in all-wheel drive suspensions because of its compact packaging. Despite giving negative camber as the spring compresses (which is good for handling), it can be problematic during periods of acceleration. Notably though, two World Rally Champion cars (Subaru Impreza and Lancia Delta Integrale) used MacPherson strut suspensions.
Rear-wheel drive suspension for cars can use a live axle with a multilink-type suspension, but, as we said, more modern cars now use 4-wheel independent suspensions because of ride and handling requirements and competition in the market. It must be noted that cars like the 2011 Challenger Drag Pak use a live axle to handle the power and torque that the V10 engine puts out. Unlike in the 60s though, cars like these are the exception today rather than the rule. Rear-wheel drive independent suspensions have the differential bolted to the car's unibody or to a sub frame.
External driveshafts with universal joints on either end connect to the wheel hubs. Springs or MacPherson-type struts are then used in conjunction with control links or trailing arms attached to the car's frame. Vehicles with 4-wheel steering also employ a mechanism that allows the rear wheels to swivel a little. While most mass-produced cars today are equipped with IRS, specialist car manufacturers, particularly those that make lightweight track cars, sometimes employ a de Dion rear suspension. It has the advantages of no camber change on rebound, which greatly improves traction, as well as having reduced unsprung weight which improves overall handling.
All-wheel drive cars' rear suspensions normally mimic the design for the front suspension. While double wishbone suspensions are recognized as superior in performance because of its rigidity and the camber control it provides, the MacPherson strut still sees a lot of use in all-wheel drive suspensions because of its compact packaging. Despite giving negative camber as the spring compresses (which is good for handling), it can be problematic during periods of acceleration. Notably though, two World Rally Champion cars (Subaru Impreza and Lancia Delta Integrale) used MacPherson strut suspensions.
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