Weissach axle suspension. How it works , how is made, what car uses, performance

In any suspensions, the pivot joints must be inserted with rubber bushing to absorb noise and vibration.

For conventional semi-trailing arm suspension, whenever under braking, the momentum of the car body tries to pull the car "away" from the rear suspension. Due to the elasticity of the rubber bushing, the rear wheel will toe-out and as a result, the car will oversteer.

At Porsche 928 the rear suspension is similar to the front, a simple lateral link with a wide lower steel wishbone. But the short link through the forward end of the lower radius arm is attached to the vehicle's body.

This device was called the “Weissach Axle”' to mark the achievement of the Weissach Research and Development Center.

This type of configuration designed to eliminate this oversteer.

By splitting one trailing link into two pieces, with a pivot joint added between them, the oversteer under braking can be elinimated or even introduce some understeer. This help stabilizing the cornering motion. Some people call it as "passive rear-wheel steering".

A similar, but simpler concept to the Weissach axle is seen in the rear suspension of the second generation Mazda RX-7.

Instead of an extra link, a special bushing is used in the same position in the lower control arm to perform a similar function.




Author: AL
Source: Autolatest & AZ