Watt Linkage

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2019 Buick Cascada, 2018 Buick Cascada, and 2017 Buick Cascada. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The watt linkage is used in the rear axle of the suspension as a performance improvement. This method is intended to prevent relative sideways motion between the axle and body of the vehicle. Watt's linkage approximates a vertical straight line motion more closely, and does so while locating the centre of the axle rather than toward one side of the vehicle, as more commonly used when fitting a long Panhard rod.

It consists of two horizontal equalizer beam links of equal length mounted at each side of the chassis. In between these two links, a short center link is connected. The center of this center link - the point which is constrained in a straight line motion - is mounted to the center of the equalizer beam support. All pivoting points are free to rotate in a vertical plane. Watt's linkage can also be used to prevent axle movement in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.