Atrailing-arm suspension, also referred to astrailing-link, is a form ofvehicle suspension. In a motor vehicle it places one or more horizontal arms (or "links") perpendicular to and forward of theaxle on thechassis orunibody, which are connected to the axle or wheels with pivot joint(s). These are typically used on the rear axle or wheels of vehicles, but also found in both front and main landing gear of aircraft.
A "semi trailing-arm" (or semi trailing-link) is a common form ofindependent rear suspension on automobiles, particularly those withfront wheel drive (where it allows a flatter rear floor pan).
Leading arms are similar horizontal arms, perpendicular to the axle, but connecting the wheels to the vehicle structure via pivot jointsto the rear of them. These are typically used on the front axle or wheels, as on theCitroën 2CV and its derivatives, and on theCitroën DS, as well as on theM422 Mighty Mite jeep.
Trailing-arm designs inlive axle setups often use just two or three links and aPanhard rod to locate the wheel laterally. A trailing arm design can also be used in anindependent suspension arrangement. Eachwheel hub is located only by a large, roughly triangular arm thatpivots at one point, ahead of the wheel. Seen from the side, this arm is roughly parallel to the ground, with the angle changing based on road irregularities. Atwist-beam rear suspension is very similar except that the arms are connected by a beam, used to locate the wheels and which twists and has an anti-roll effect.
Some aircraft also use trailing arms in theirlanding gear, witholeo struts for shock absorption. A trailing arm landing gear results in smoother landings and a better ride whentaxiing compared to other types of landing gear.[1]
A semi-trailing arm suspension is a suppleindependent rear suspension system forautomobiles where eachwheel hub is located only by a large, roughly triangular arm that pivots at two points. Viewed from the top, the line formed by the two pivots is somewhere betweenparallel andperpendicular to the car's longitudinal axis; it is generally parallel to the ground. Trailing-arm andmultilink suspension designs are much more commonly used for the rear wheels of a vehicle where they can allow for a flatter floor and more cargo room. Many small,front-wheel drive vehicles feature aMacPherson strut front suspension and trailing-arm rear axle.
