a flexible , resilient control arm is rigidly connected at an inner end thereof to a side of a vehicle frame and pivotally connected at an outer end thereof to a wheel assembly . a rigid control arm may be pivotally connected at an inner end thereof to the side of the frame and pivotally connected at an outer end thereof to the wheel assembly . a shock absorber is connected for damping motion of the wheel assembly . the flexible control arm thus operates in place of a second rigid control arm and a separate coil or leaf spring . the flexible control arm may have various composite constructions for providing both dimensional integrity and flexibility , including metal and binder impregnated fiber portions having varying thickness and width along their lengths .