Vehicle Suspension Components

Vocabulary flashcards covering key vehicle suspension components, including control arms, trailing arms, torque arms, strut rods, and alignment cams based on the lecture text.

Control Arms

Components that act as locators for the wheel and its components in relation to the chassis of the vehicle, used in independent suspension systems on both front and rear applications.

Rubber Compound Bushings

Bushings that connect control arms to the frame and axle assembly, absorbing shock from sudden suspension movements and providing non-metal-to-metal connection points to reduce noise and vibration transfer.

Four Link Triangulated Suspension System

A suspension system configuration that uses control arms to reduce lateral or side-to-side movement of an axle assembly, featuring top control arms that form a V and lower control arms parallel to the frame rail.

Adjustment Cam

Also called an eccentric bolt, a round disc with an offset hole through which a bolt slides to connect to an opposite disc, used to move the control arm and change alignment angles when rotated.

Trailing Arm

A rigid link located in front of the axle and between the chassis or frame that counters front-to-rear forces and keeps a driven or non-driven rear axle from twisting under acceleration or braking.

Four Link Parallel System

A suspension setup where trailing arms mount to both the top and bottom of the axle, extending forward at a 90 degree angle from the axle and parallel to the vehicle centerline.

Torque Arm

A variation that replaces the upper trailing arms, bolting to the differential housing parallel to the drive shaft and connecting to the transmission or transmission cross member to prevent axle housing rotation under acceleration and braking.

Strut Rods

Components attached to the frame and control arm that provide stability and strength when the lower control arm is narrow or built in an I shape.