Vehicle Axle

A method of making a transverse strut for a twist rear axle assembly, comprising the steps of:

• sliding a metal preform having a generally cylindrical shape onto a mandrel and wherein the preform extends a predetermined length along an axis between opposite ends;
• rotating the preform about the axis;
• simultaneous to rotating the preform about the axis step, flow forming the material of the preform in an axial direction with at least one roller during the rotating of the preform about the axis to produce a tubular body that has a central section, a pair of end sections, and a pair of intermediate sections between the end sections and the central section;
• and
• wherein at least a portion of the central section has a first wall thickness, at least a portion of each of the end sections has a second wall thickness that is greater than the first wall thickness, and at least a portion of each of the intermediate sections has a third wall thickness that is greater than the second wall thickness.