US 5,879,026 AGranted

Vehicle suspension and steering cradle

AssigneeChrysler Corporation

InventorsKenneth W. Dostert, Robert D. Campbell, David L. Hoelscher

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Abstract

A front suspension and steering mount cradle is disclosed for front-wheel-drive and all-wheel drive motor vehicles which provides improved component packaging, noise isolation, and heat shielding. The cradle includes laterally spaced apart supporting end arches integrally joined by a transversely extending inverted U-section saddle, wherein each arch is defined by an upper section terminating in downwardly diverging front and rear legs. Each front leg ends in a pivot pin fitting for connection to a suspension arm front pivot bushing while each rear leg terminates in a footpad housing connection for a rear bushing fitted on a rearward extending stem of each arm. Each cradle forward leg provides a pedestal bracket for supporting a frame front isolator assembly while each rear footpad supports a frame rear isolator assembly. A pair of upstanding engine mounting flanges on the saddle bight wall insure exact powertrain orientation. Inner surfaces of the cradle walls are formed with fastener bosses for readily mounting steering gear and anti-sway bar assemblies in a manner whereby the cradle shields the assemblies from engine catalytic converter heat, impingement from stones, and the like.

Claims7

Dependent claims

A cradle assembly supported by a vehicle body frame comprising:

a one-piece metal casting having a pair of laterally spaced apart left and right side arches, positioned generally symmetrically about a vehicle longitudinal center axis, said arches joined by a transversely extending, inverted U-shaped section saddle defining an upper light wall ending in front and rear downstanding walls;
each said arch including a generally longitudinal top section ending in downwardly diverging front and rear legs, each arch front leg terminating in a front pivot pin fitting for connection of a front bushing assembly fixed on an associated one of a pair of mirror image suspension arms, each arch real leg terminating in a footpad housing for connection of a rear bushing assembly fixed on an associated one of said pair of mirror image suspension arms, whereby each front bushing pivot pin and associated rear housing define an arm swing axis;
a generally rectangular-shaped metal cradle plate defining front and rear pairs of corner portions, each said front corner portion fixed to an underside of an associated cradle front fitting, and each said rear corner portion fixed to an underside of an associated cradle rear footpad, whereby said cradle casting and said cradle plate provide a unitary vehicle subframe for supporting the suspension arms.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.