SYNOPSIS Various considerations which need to be kept in mind when making a choice between and designing rear axles and independent rear suspensions are listed and explored, so that a sensible compromise related to the vehicle type and desired characteristics can more easily be achieved or approximated at the design stage. Methods of avoiding standing height and bounce frequency variation between one-up and fully laden are described and illustrated with reference to optional extra and initially incorporated systems. Accepting the desirability of maintaining the same relationship to critical damping over the load range, different ways of achieving it are described.
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