A crossmember is a structural section that is transverse to the main structure. In the
automotive industry
The automotive industry comprises a wide range of companies and organizations involved in the design, development, manufacturing, marketing, and selling of motor vehicles. It is one of the world's largest industries by revenue (from 16 % such ...
, the term typically refers to a component, usually of steel, usually boxed, that is bolted across the underside of a
monocoque / unibody motor vehicle, to support the
internal combustion engine
An internal combustion engine (ICE or IC engine) is a heat engine in which the combustion of a fuel occurs with an oxidizer (usually air) in a combustion chamber that is an integral part of the working fluid flow circuit. In an internal c ...
and / or
transmission. For the suspension of any car to operate as it should, for proper handling, and to keep the
body panels in alignment, the frame has to be strong enough to cope with the loads applied to it. It must not deflect, and it has to have enough torsional strength to resist twisting.
A "K" member is a crossmember in a vehicle with a longitudinally-mounted engine, contains the engine mounts.cross member of frame is I section.
In early Ford vehicles
An "X" crossmember can usually be found on the frames of vintage.
Although it used more substantial rails than a
Model T
The Ford Model T is an automobile that was produced by Ford Motor Company from October 1, 1908, to May 26, 1927. It is generally regarded as the first affordable automobile, which made car travel available to middle-class Americans. The relati ...
, the
Model A frame was still just a simple "ladder" design. Unlike the '32 frame, which had a K-member, and '33 to '48 frames, which were equipped with a substantial X-member, the A-frame was only fitted with front, center, and rear crossmembers.
Auto parts
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