Five-Link Suspension
Five-link suspension is a multi-link layout that uses five locating links for each wheel carrier.
What the name establishes
The five links give suspension designers separate geometric constraints that can be arranged to control longitudinal, lateral, camber, toe, and compliance behavior. The exact task of each link varies by design, so the label alone does not reveal ride quality, alignment curves, material, or whether the spring and damper are separate.
A five-link axle is normally an independent arrangement, but it is not automatically superior to every four-link or other multi-link design. Performance depends on hard points, joint and bushing stiffness, wheel travel, packaging, and calibration.
For suspension layout families, see Suspension Construction. For how links create wheel paths and force responses, see Suspension Kinematics and Vehicle Dynamics.