Suspension (Fr/Rr): Ind/Live

[pitpens]

Sorry if this is really stupid but what is live suspension?

[V6Bob]

It's just another term for a solid rear axle. The opposite is independent rear suspension.

[Dominic]

Not exactly.

You have non-independant and independant suspensions, and either one can be live or dead.

A dead non independant axle is just a bar connecting two wheels, a live one has axles and some form of way to conduct torque out to the wheels through the axles (i.e. differential/gears).

Independant suspensions can also be live or dead. In most FWD sedans the front is a live independant, and the rear is a dead independant.

http://www.fernblatt.com/longhurst/s...ion_bible.html go here for some photos and help on this subject.

[ January 16, 2003: Message edited by: Dominic ]</p>

[V6Bob]

Wow. Color me surprised.

I google searched ["live axle" definition] both on the web and in discussion groups and found people supporting both my position and Dominics'.

Definition 1 - live axle means the wheels are driven (Dominic).

Definition 2 - live axle means the wheels are solidly attached to one another (no u-joints or CV joints) (Bob).

So I checked Chassis Engineering", "How to Make Your Car Handle" and "Tune to Win". "Chassis Engineering" uses definition 2. Both of the other books avoid the use of "live axle", using the clearer "solid axle" or "beam axle" for what's on an f-body. Probably because "live axle" seems to be used differently by different people.

Turns out your question was actually "really good".

[F1GT]

I've wondered about the term myself since 9th grade when I received a copy of Motor Trend and it featured the last IROC-Z. It stated the rear suspension as "Live Axle" in the Tech Data chart. I always assumed its just another term for solid axle, like what V6 Bob said. But it doesn't say that for the Mustang, which also has a solid axle, or any other car with a solid axle But what Dominic said above makes sense,.,.,.
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