Semi Trailing Arm Rear Suspension

Semi Trailing Arm Rear Suspension

The Semi-Trailing arm rear suspension is found in the following BMW vehicles:
- E23 - up to 9/82
- E28 - 528e/524td up to 4/86, 535i up to 12/87
- E24 - up to 3/82
- E30 - All models
- E36 - 318ti and Z3 Roadster

This system consists of the following:







The complete suspension assembly is bolted to the body by rubber bushings at three points. One each at the ends of the subframe and the third at the final drive.

The semi-trailing system is an independent rear suspension. Each trailing arm is connected to the hub of each wheel. Each trailing arm handles all longitudinal and transverse forces between the wheel and the subframe.

The trailing arms are mounted at an angle to the subframe which creates an axis of rotation when the arm moves up and down. As a result, the camber angle and track tend to vary with the up and down movement of the wheel.