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A radius rod (also called a radius arm, torque arm, torque spring, and torsion bar) is a suspension link intended to control wheel motion in the longitudinal (fore-aft) direction. The link is connected (with a rubber or solid bushing ) on one end to the wheel carrier or axle , on the other to the chassis or unibody of the vehicle.
The shape of the subframe changed to an approximate triangle, bolted to the front of the differential and attached to the car at approximately the same points as the radius arms of the first generation IRS. The rear of the differential was further supported by a pair of link rods attaching it to the car's rear floor structure.
The axle receives its vertical and transverse support from a transverse leaf spring (leaf springs were often used for support in more than one direction), and its longitudinal support from fore-aft links sometimes called "radius rods" which are attached (via pivots) to the ends of the axle at their forward end and to the sides of the chassis ...
The torque tube design is typically heavier and securely ties the rear end together, thus providing a rigid rear end and assuring good alignment under all conditions. However, because of the greater unsprung weight of the torque tube and radius rods, there may be a "little hopping around of the rear end when cornering fast or on washboard roads ...
Certain vehicles — notably, many Honda products from the 1990s -- feature what's known as a double wishbone suspension. A double wishbone design features both upper and lower control arms that work in tandem with each other to properly locate the wheel. The additional radius rod is then attached to the upper arm.
In 1957, the lightweight Goggomobil used a similar suspension design to the Scarab. Much simpler though, the Goggomobil had bare drive shafts that also acted as the suspension links, with suspension forces passing through the inboard Hooke joints. The swing axle shafts were only carried by the trailing radius rods, rather than an axle casing ...
A beam axle's location in the fore and aft directions is constrained by one of several suspension components, including trailing arms, semi-trailing arms, radius rods, and leaf springs. The lateral location can be constrained by a Panhard rod, a Scott Russell linkage, a Watt's linkage, or some other arrangement, most commonly by the leaf springs.
The advantage of the Panhard rod is its simplicity. Its major disadvantage is that the body must necessarily move in an arc relative to the axle, with the radius equal to the length of the Panhard rod. If the rod is too short, it allows excessive sideways movement between the axle and the body at the ends of the spring travel.