A New Method to Evaluate Bump Steer and Steering Influence on Kinematic Roll and Pitch Axes for All Independent Suspension Types

Does steering and bump steer modify the location of the kinematic roll and pitch axes? If so, by how much? How to calculate and appreciate such differences?

The effects of bump steer and steering are often neglected when determining the kinematic roll and pitch axes of a particular independent suspension. This is caused by the inherent limitations of the “classic” kinematic analysis method.

A new method is proposed that addresses the limitations of the “classic” method. The new method derives the kinematic roll and pitch axes through synthesis of the wheel movement in six degrees of freedom, and thus includes the effects of bump steer and steering. The new method can also be applied to any independent suspension types, including the multi-link suspension.