Chrysler introduces aluminum crossmembers in 1998 and 1999 car models

JOM, Mar 1998

Starting with 1998 car models, Chrysler is introducing an aluminum rear crossmember designed to improve handling and noise-vibration-harshness (NVH) performance. The crossmember will be used in the 1998 Chrysler Concorde and Dodge Intrepid and the 1999 Chrysler LHS and 300M models.

The crossmember assembly is the structural component for attaching the lateral rear and suspension links. The aluminum system doubles lateral stiffness and triples torsional stiffness, while weighing 30-35 percent less than an equivalent steel product.

The assembly, designed by Alcoa Automotive Structures, features two cast endpieces welded to an extruded center member. The cast endpieces house rubber bushings that isolate vibration between the suspension system and the vehicle body. Because it is machined after welding, dimensional variation due to weld distortion is eliminated.