Method and apparatus for reducing vehicle side sway

Abstract

A control arm is provided which is adapted to be connected to the frame of a motor home which is subject to side sway due to the twisting of the vehicle frame side-rails where the motor home utilizes leaf spring suspension systems. The control arm includes two rigid end members, each having a connecting portion extending inwardly and downwardly at an acute angle of about 45.degree. to the horizontal, and a rigid cross member rigidly secured between the end members to the connecting portions. The cross member has connecting portions rigidly secured to the connecting portions of the end members and extending upwardly and outwardly at an acute angle of about 45.degree. to the horizontal. The cross member depends from the end members underneath the vehicle's transmission when the control arm end members are connected to the frame side-rails. The control arm is installed by first straightening the frame side-rails adjacent the rear-spring shackle plates of the vehicle's front springs if the side-rails are twisted. The end members of the control arm are then rigidly secured, by welding or the like, to the rearward edge of the rear spring shackle plates of the front springs. The end members also abut the lower edge of the side-rails so that the side-rails and end members may be welded together along that edge if desired.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.