doublewishbone

A double wishbone suspension is a type of independent suspension in which each wheel is connected to the vehicle by two control arms shaped roughly like a pair of wishbones. The upper and lower arms are mounted to the chassis at one end and to the wheel hub at the other end, typically with ball joints or pivots. This arrangement allows the wheel to move up and down with relatively controlled fore–aft motion, while providing significant control over the wheel’s camber and toe through the travel.

The main advantage of a double wishbone setup is improved alignment stability across suspension travel. By locating the wheel carrier on two intersecting arms, engineers can tune the camber curve to maintain more even tire contact during cornering and over uneven surfaces. This often yields better grip, steering response, and braking performance compared with simpler layouts. The design also reduces unwanted changes in wheel position due to chassis movement, contributing to a smoother ride and more predictable handling.

Disadvantages include higher complexity, weight, and cost relative to simpler suspension systems such as MacPherson struts. The two-arm layout also requires more space and careful packaging, which can complicate vehicle design and maintenance. If not properly designed, double wishbones can introduce bump steer or abrupt changes in toe and camber during compression.

Variants and usage: double wishbone configurations are commonly referred to as double A-arm suspensions and are widely used in performance and luxury cars, as well as many race cars. Variants with unequal-length upper and lower arms (often called short-long arms or SLA geometry) are employed to tailor camber gain and alignment characteristics to specific chassis goals.