De Dion suspension

De Dion suspension characteristics: Camber change on one-sided bumps, none on rebound. The de Dion tube is shown in blue. The differential (yellow) is connected directly to the chassis (orange). Universal joints are shown in green.
De Dion rear axle

A de Dion axle is a form of non-independent automobile suspension. It is a considerable improvement over the swing axle, Hotchkiss drive, or live axle.[1] Because it plays no part in transmitting power to the drive wheels, it is sometimes called a "dead axle".[2]

A powered de Dion suspension uses universal joints on both ends of its driveshafts (at the wheel hubs and at the differential), and a solid tubular beam to hold the opposite wheels in parallel. Unlike an anti-roll bar, a de Dion tube is not directly connected to the chassis, and is not intended to flex. In suspension geometry it is a beam axle suspension.

  1. ^ Setright, L. J. K. "De Dion axle: The First Step to Independence", in Ward, Ian, executive editor. World of Automobiles (London: Orbis, 1974), Volume 5, p.500.
  2. ^ Setright, p.515.