Blossary – suspension systems

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suspension systems — rear

Air suspension system replaces the leaf springs or coil springs with reinforced rubber airbags or bladders

Airbags are located between the frame and axle and provide the weight-carrying capacity of the rear axle

Air spring suspensions provide a smoother, more compliant ride than typical leaf spring suspensions

Taurus and Taurus X use an independent design that is mounted on U-shaped sub frame. Upper and lower control arms with gas-pressurized shock absorbers mounted in a coil-over-shock design. Stabilizer bar reduces body lean while cornering

Fusion and the Edge use an independent design that is mounted to a sub frame and works like a double-wishbone setup. Twist-blade control arms with gas-pressurized shock absorbers, coil springs and a stabilizer bar

Expedition uses a second-generation independent design with five-link design for better control of fore/aft and lateral load forces, monotube shocks which allow for more precise tuning and a better ride, and a stabilizer bar with high-precision bushings and low-friction ball joint links for improved on-center steering feel. Porthole in-frame design, with axle shafts passing through the frame rails, provides a lower step-in height and a lower center of gravity

Non-independent suspension that uses an axle which runs nearly the width of the vehicle– On trucks, the axle is located by leaf springs. Gas-pressurized shock absorbers help provide a smooth ride– On Mustang, the axle is located with coil springs, one upper and two lower control arms. Gas-pressurized shock absorbers help provide a smooth ride

Independent design that allows either wheel to react to road imperfections with minimal effect on the opposite wheel. Design features include:– Shock absorbers to maintain ride control (gas pressurized on select vehicles)– Upper and lower control arms to absorb acceleration and braking force– Coil springs or torsion bars

Independent design uses trailing blade with coil-over-shocks to help provide precise handling and minimize ride harshness, porthole-in-frame design with axle shafts passing through the frame rails and a stabilizer bar for improved on-center feel

Independent suspension that uses one trailing arm and two lateral links per side

Suspension that uses rear air springs, an air compressor and electronic components to help keep the vehicle level when towing a trailer or hauling heavy loads.

Spring built from superimposed, narrow flat-sectioned plates or blades that resist load in bending

Spring operates in conjunction with a solid axle suspension as a system that includes the wheels being mounted to a rigid beam axle. Major design features include:– Parabolic tapered leaf springs that react to differing loads, providing a smooth ride regardless of load conditions– Leaves which are actually long flat bars that are bracket-mounted at each end and arc in the center to provide the necessary stiffness– Leaf number that will differ from truck to truck, depending on individual load ratings– Many trucks have two-stage, variable-rate leaf springs, with the first set of leaves handling most requirements. The shorter, second set reacts under heavy load or suspension demands as required.