Multi-link suspension

5-link rear suspension
Rear view
Top view

A multi-link suspension is a type of independent vehicle suspension having three or more control links per wheel.[1] These arms do not have to be of equal length, and may be angled away from their "obvious" direction. It was first introduced in the late 1960s on the Mercedes-Benz C111[2] and later on their W201 and W124 series.[3][4]

Typically each arm has a spherical joint (ball joint) or rubber bushing at each end. Consequently, they react to loads along their own length, in tension and compression, but not in bending. Some multi-links do use a trailing arm, control arm or wishbone, which has two bushings at one end.

On a front suspension one of the lateral arms is replaced by the tie-rod, which connects the rack or steering box to the wheel hub.

  1. ^ "Rear Multi-link".
  2. ^ Bastow, D. (1970) Suspension ad Steering, Automobile Engineer, 8 May 1970, 217–231.
  3. ^ von der Ohe, M. (1984) Independent Wheel Suspension, US Pat. 4,444,415, Filed Dec. 23, 1981
  4. ^ von der Ohe, M. (1983) Front and Rear Suspension of the New Model W201, SAE technical Paper 831045.

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