
22 Suspension systems
22.1 BASIC SUSPENSION SYSTEMS
Beam axle front suspension
In non-independent front wheel suspension systems a
beam-type axle is used to support the two stub axle
pivots at a fixed distance apart. Although beam axles
have long since been obsolete for cars, for reasons that
will be explained later, this form of front wheel
suspension continues to be used on almost all commer-
cial vehicles on the basis of the following considerations:
1 Front wheel alignment is better maintained with a
beam axle because, unlike independent linkages, it
does not demand great rigidity at the front end
structure of the chassis frame. This is