What does a rear trailing arm do on a car?
The rear trailing arms are a pair of sturdy metal links that connect the rear axle to the body (chassis) of a vehicle. They allow the axle to travel up and down freely, eliminate the need for leaf springs, and keep the axle in proper alignment to the vehicle.
What are the advantages of trailing arm suspension?
A semi-trailing arm suspension allows you to place the roll centre wherever you desire as well as placing the instant centre in a desirable place. This will allow you to have camber change and somewhat tune the camber curve based on analysis. Both the camber change and tire scrub will stay constant.
How does a trailing arm suspension work?
The trailing arm is the piece of the suspension system that connects the vehicle’s axle to its chassis. In addition to the trailing arm itself are the trailing arm bushings. These are rubber or polyurethane components that act as cushions and reduce friction between the suspension parts.
What is another name for rear trailing arm?
trailing link
In other words, trailing arms are like control arms but commonly for the rear wheels. Some manufacturers refer to it as the leading arm or trailing link.
Can I drive with a bad trailing arm?
It is not safe to drive with a bad control arm because when the control arm or the bushings are worn out or broken off, steering will become unpredictable and dangerous for you and the other drivers. Your vehicle can pull to one side randomly even though you are keeping the steering wheel straight.”
Do trailing arms affect alignment?
Excessive wear on tires Worn out trailing arm bushings are known to cause the suspension to be out of alignment and lead to premature tire wear on the inner or outer edge. When the bushings are replaced, you’ll have to have the suspension adjusted again to be aligned properly.
What is the purpose of a trailing arm?
The purpose of the trailing arm bushings is to cushion the movement of the suspension while holding the wheel on the correct axis. The bushings absorb minor vibrations, shocks, and noise from the road to make for a smoother drive.
How many trailing arms does a car have?
Many cars have at least four control arms: One for each wheel. Some cars have upper and lower control arms. Made from a strong and highly-durable metal, the rear control arms, which are sometimes referred to as trailing arms, connect to the frame at one end.
What type of suspension is a trailing arm?
A trailing-arm suspension, sometimes referred as trailing-link is a vehicle suspension design in which one or more arms (or “links”) are connected between (and perpendicular to and forward of) the axle and a pivot point (located on the chassis of a motor vehicle).
Which suspension is a trailing arm?
How long do trailing arms last?
Over time, the control arm assembly can become worn or bent. These assemblies normally wear out between 90,000 and 100,000 miles. They can wear out faster if you go over a large pothole or are involved in a car accident. Various parts of the assembly may wear out as well, such as the bushings or ball joints.