It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Sub frame. (Discuss)

A subframe is a structural component of a vehicle, such as an automobile or an aircraft, that uses a discrete, separate structure within a larger body-on-frame or unit body to carry certain components, such as the engine, drivetrain, or suspension. The subframe is bolted and/or welded to the vehicle. When bolted, it is sometimes equipped with rubber bushings or springs to dampen vibration. Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... A sub frame is a partial section of a vehicle chassis, for the front suspension. ... February 2007 is the second month of the year. ... Karl Benzs Velo model (1894) - entered into the first automobile race Passenger cars in use in 2000 An automobile (or motorcar; often simply car; also auto, motor) is a wheeled passenger vehicle that carries its own motor. ... Look up aircraft in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Body-on-frame is an automobile construction technology. ... Monocoque (French for single shell) is a construction technique that uses the external skin of an object to support some or most of the load on the structure. ... An engine is something that produces an effect from a given input. ... The front suspension components of a Ford Model T. Suspension is the term given to the system of springs, shock absorbers and linkages that connects a vehicle to its wheels. ... A bolt may be one of the following things: For bolts and capscrews, see Bolted joint. ... Welding is a fabrication process that joins materials, usually metals or thermoplastics, by causing coalescence. ... Latex being collected from a tapped rubber tree Rubber is an elastic hydrocarbon polymer which occurs as a milky colloidal suspension (known as latex) in the sap of several varieties of plants. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Helical or coil springs designed for tension A spring is a flexible elastic object used to store mechanical energy. ... Damping is any effect, either deliberately engendered or inherent to a system, that tends to reduce the amplitude of oscillations of an oscillatory system. ... Oscillation is the variation, typically in time, of some measure as seen, for example, in a swinging pendulum. ...

The principal purpose of using a subframe is to isolate vibration and harshness from the rest of the body. For example, in an automobile with its powertrain contained in a subframe, forces generated by the engine and transmission can be damped enough that they will not disturb passengers. As a natural development from a car with a full chassis, separate front and rear subframes are used in modern vehicles to reduce the overall weight and cost. In addition a subframe yields benefits to production in that subassemblies can be made which can be introduced to the main bodyshell when required on an automated line.

There are generally two basic forms of the subframe.

 1) A simple "axle" type which usually carries the lower control arms and steering rack. 2) A perimeter frame which carries the above components but in addition supports the engine. 

A subframe is usually made of pressed steel panels which are welded or spot welded together. The use of Hydroformed tubes may also be used. Hydroforming (or hydramolding) is a cost-effective way of shaping malleable metals such as aluminum into lightweight, structurally stiff and strong pieces. ...