Axles - Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Service Manual

Axles

The aluminum suspension with double wishbone axles
has a lightweight design throughout.
The front axle including the steering gear is preassem-
bled on the frame-type integral support together with
the V8 engine both for reasons related to vehicle
dynamics and also to facilitate assembly.
The extremely stiff, but also light, frame-type integral
support is bolted to the longitudinal members of the
body. The front suspension has a double wishbone
design.
On a double wishbone axle, the wheel control and
suspension functions are separated from each other
with the suspension struts supported on the lower
transverse control arm.
The double wishbone concept features high levels of
camber and handling stability, controlling the wheel
with very slight elastic movement to provide the driver
with optimal road feel far into the critical limits.
Double wishbone front axle
56 q Introduction of the New SLS AMG, Model Series 197 Coupe
– This printout will not be recorded by the update service. Status: 11 / 2009 –
The kinematics are determined by the differences in
length of the transverse control arms and the position
of the transverse control arm anchorage points on the
body and steering knuckle. The wide base of the trans-
verse control arms directs the wheel forces into the
frame-type integral support (bottom) and the front end
cast joints (top).
As on the rear axle, the wishbone control arms and
steering knuckles on the front axle are made entirely
of forged aluminum, which reduces the weight and
thus the unsprung masses significantly. This also
improves the suspension response considerably.
In addition, the caster angle of 11.5° improves the
cornering behavior significantly by increasing the
negative wheel camber during steering, which
increases tire adhesion even further. This ensures
high levels of stability, particularly during heavy
braking in corners.