Motor vehicle rear axle and method

A method of making a rear axle for a motor vehicle including

• a pair of longitudinal control arms each having a first end and a second end, and
• a transverse torsion bar between said longitudinal control arms,
• comprising the steps of:
• forming a socket in each of said longitudinal control arms between said first and said second ends thereof facing the other of said pair of longitudinal control arms,
• forming on said transverse torsion bar a pair of opposite terminal ends each having a shape matching the shape of said control arm sockets,
• rigidly coupling said transverse torsion bar to each of said pair of longitudinal control arms by interference fitting each of said pair of opposite terminal ends of said torsion bar into said socket in a corresponding one of said longitudinal control arms,
• forming an aperture in said socket in each of said longitudinal control arms exposing the corresponding one of said pair of opposite terminal ends of said torsion bar therein,
• depositing a plug in each of said apertures, and
• fusion bonding said plug in each of said apertures to the corresponding one of said pair of opposite terminal ends of said torsion bar so that each of said plugs defines a lug on the corresponding one of said pair of opposite terminal ends of said torsion bar reinforcing the interference fit thereof in said tubular socket and positively preventing dislodgment thereof from said tubular socket.