<http://schema.org/articleBody>
" Suspension   How do you like the sound of &amp;quot;computerized finite element analysis?&amp;quot; That was a technique used in designing the suspension components for the new Corvette. While the front suspension&amp;#039;s layout and geometry were relatively conventional, there were some new materials and detail improvements. Weight-saving was crucial, of course, so Corvette chassis engineers selected aluminum forgings for the upper and lower control arms and knuckles. The rather dainty-looking upper control arms are stronger than their traditional steel counterparts, according to Chevrolet, and that&amp;#039;s where the computerized finite element analysis came into play.   The lower control arm is considerably beefier than the upper and has an aluminum plate bolted across it for mounting the shock absorber and clamping the transverse leaf spring. The lower arm is symmetrical and thus identical for each side of the front suspension, but the upper arms are not. Each upper arm is twisted at the outer end to allow for an inclination angle at the inner pivot axis, thus providing anti-dive geometry.   The transverse leaf spring up front was a fiberglass/epoxy design that Corvette introduced on the rear suspension of the1981 model. The front and rear springs have different dimensions and spring rates, offering advantages in weight reduction and compactness. The front transverse leaf fits cleverly beneath the front crossmember and the control arms, while the rear spring sits neatly between the legs of the lower control arms.   The rear suspension was designed with new trailing and lateral links, so the Corvette boasted a 5-link rear end. The use of trailing links in place of the former Corvette&amp;#039;s semi-trailing control arms eliminated roll steer and toe-change with vertical wheel movement. As with the front end, there is widespread use of aluminum in the rear suspension, including the hub carrier and all struts and control arms. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/car-technology/news/a2745/corvette-development-suspension/>