Talk:De Dion tube

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Name Change?

This is the first I've been to this page in a while, and I've noticed what appears to be a name change. It's surely a translation of the German term, "De-Dion-Rohr" -- but I've never heard of this thing in English referred to as a de Dion tube. It's just a De Dion suspension. Yes, we've got the problem in the English language of the axle-tube confusingly called the "axle" while the axleshaft, properly be so called, is neglected, but I've never seen the De Dion mechanism referred to as a tube. There is no (axle?) tube in the modern examples I've seen, except for Rover's, which does not envelop the axleshafts.

Perhaps, like the magazine Scientific "American", Wikipedia has been sold to the Germans. Sobolewski 16:22, 14 May 2007 (UTC)

  • The De Dion tube is just one part of a De Dion suspension; I don't have a clue why this was renamed either. I vote for renaming it back. Alex 16:34, 15 May 2007 (UTC)
  • I agree, the De Dion tube is just a component of De Dion suspension, and so I also vote for renaming it back KingDoorknob 21:52, 10 June 2007 (UTC)

What is meant by "Compared to a fully independent rear suspension the ability to refine the dynamic response of the vehicle is somewhat limited."? With De Dion suspension, all suspension parameters can be changed as in any IRS; static camber, rollcenter heights, anti dive/squat and any damping or ride/roll rate just as in any independent suspension. With De Dion there is no virtual front view swingarm or instant center so you can't change the camber curve (there is no camber change, its perfect except for one wheel bump). I don't think De Dion suspension has a "limited ability to refine dynamic responce". —Preceding unsigned comment added by Bdsmith21 (talk • contribs) 19:30, 27 February 2008 (UTC)

Well, you often do want to increase camber curve, so that is one strike. Next, you have a problem with toe compliance under braking and traction, which can be ameliorated at some cost, but not eliminated. That is if one wheel has more grip, both wheels steer the same way. An IRS can easily be arranged not to steer at all. It's not a terrible suspension, but it is as expensive as an IRS, and not as good. I wouldn't mind working on one some time, the nearest I've done is a twist beam.Greg Locock (talk) 01:32, 28 February 2008 (UTC)