rear suspension


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REAR SUSPENSIONS

Rear suspension systems are as critical to ride control, as front-end systems. A vehicle must be in optimum pitch and balance to ride right. There are two types of conventional rear suspension systems: coil spring and leaf spring.

COIL SPRING SUSPENSION

On a coil spring suspension, the spring is mounted between the axle housing and frame. A lower control arm connects the axle housing to the frame. Some vehicles use an upper control arm for added stability.

LEAF SPRING SUSPENSION

Control arms are not required on leaf spring suspensions. The leaf spring is connected to the axle housing with U-bolts and to the frame by bolts in the front and by a shackle assembly in the rear. The shackle assembly allows spring movement.

In both applications, shock absorbers connect between the axle housing and the frame and absorb excess energy from the system. If the vehicle is being used to carry heavy loads or tow trailers, load-assist shock absorbers are recommended.

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