Trailing-arm Trailing-arm designs in
live axle setups often use just two or three links and a
Panhard rod to locate the wheel laterally. A trailing arm design can also be used in an
independent suspension arrangement. Each
wheel hub is located only by a large, roughly triangular arm that
pivots 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. A
twist-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 their
landing gear, with
oleo struts for shock absorption. A trailing arm landing gear results in smoother landings and a better ride when
taxiing compared to other types of landing gear.
Semi-trailing arm A semi-trailing arm suspension is a supple
independent rear suspension system for
automobiles where each
wheel 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 between
parallel and
perpendicular to the car's longitudinal axis; it is generally parallel to the ground. Trailing-arm and
multilink 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 a
MacPherson strut front suspension and trailing-arm rear axle. == See also==