Six link independent suspension for a drive axle

A linkage assembly for an independent vehicle suspension comprising:

• a lower control arm including structure for attachment to a knuckle and a vehicle structure;
• a spring bracket including a spring support portion for supporting at least one spring wherein said spring bracket is pivotally connected to said lower control arm, and wherein said spring bracket includes an opening through which a wheel drive shaft extends;
• and
• a torque rod pivotally connected to said spring bracket.

A linkage assembly for an independent vehicle suspension comprising:

• a lower control arm including structure for attachment to a knuckle and a vehicle structure;
• an upper control arm including structure for attachment to the knuckle and the vehicle structure;
• a spring bracket including a spring support portion for supporting at least one spring wherein said spring bracket is pivotally connected to said lower control arm, and wherein said lower control arm includes a first mount for connection to the knuckle, a second mount that defines a pivotal connection to said spring bracket, and a third mount for connection to the vehicle structure wherein said second mount comprises at least one longitudinally extending pin portion;
• and
• a torque rod pivotally connected to said spring bracket.

An independent suspension for a drive axle comprising:

• a knuckle having an upper boss and a lower boss, said knuckle including a spindle that supports a rotating wheel component;
• a lower control arm having one end coupled to said lower boss and an opposite end including structure for attachment to a vehicle structure;
• an upper control arm having one end coupled to said upper boss and an opposite end including structure for attachment to the vehicle structure;
• a spring bracket pivotally connected to said lower control arm and including a support plate for supporting at least one spring, and wherein said spring bracket includes a first mount interface for direct connection to said lower control arm;
• and
• a torque rod pivotally connected to said spring bracket at one end and including structure for attachment to the vehicle structure at an opposite end.

An independent suspension for a drive axle comprising:

• a knuckle having an upper boss and a lower boss, said knuckle including a spindle that supports a rotating wheel component;
• a lower control arm having one end coupled to said lower boss and an opposite end including structure for attachment to a vehicle structure;
• an upper control arm having one end coupled to said upper boss and an opposite end including structure for attachment to the vehicle structure;
• a spring bracket pivotally connected to said lower control arm and including a support plate for supporting at least one spring;
• a torque rod pivotally connected to said spring bracket at one end and including structure for attachment to the vehicle structure at an opposite end;
• and
• a drive shaft that drives said rotating wheel component, said drive shaft extending through an opening formed within said spring bracket.

A linkage assembly for an independent vehicle suspension comprising:

• an upper control arm;
• a lower control arm including structure for attachment to a knuckle and a vehicle structure;
• a spring bracket including a spring support portion for supporting at least one spring wherein said spring bracket is directly connected to said lower control arm at a pivot;
• and
• a link pivotally connected to said spring bracket.

A linkage assembly for an independent vehicle suspension comprising:

• a lower control arm including structure for attachment to a knuckle and a vehicle structure;
• a spring bracket including a spring support portion for supporting at least one spring wherein said spring bracket is pivotally connected to said lower control arm, and with said spring bracket including a first mount interface for direct connection to said lower control arm, and wherein said first mount interface defines a spring bracket pivot axis and wherein the vehicle structure comprises a suspension sub-frame;
• a link pivotally connected to said spring bracket;
• and
• a central carrier mounted to said suspension sub-frame and at least one drive shaft driven by said central carrier, said at least one drive shaft driving a wheel component about a wheel axis of rotation, and wherein said spring bracket includes an opening through which said at least one drive shaft extends for connection to said wheel component such that said wheel axis of rotation is vertically higher than said spring bracket pivot axis.

A linkage assembly for an independent vehicle suspension comprising:

• a lower control arm including structure for attachment to a knuckle and a vehicle structure;
• a spring bracket including a spring support portion for supporting at least one spring wherein said spring bracket is directly connected to said lower control arm at a pivot, and wherein said spring bracket includes an opening through which a wheel drive shaft extends;
• and
• a link pivotally connected to said spring bracket.