Patent ID: 7628077

Claim:
A method for using a vehicle excitation test apparatus, comprising: providing a vehicle located adjacent a ground surface, the vehicle including a vehicle frame, at least one vehicle wheel, a longitudinal axis extending along a drive direction of the vehicle, and a vertical axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and the ground surface; applying a vertical preload to at least one of the vehicle frame and the at least one vehicle wheel; applying a longitudinal preload to at least one of the vehicle frame and the at least one vehicle wheel; applying a vibrational input to at least one of a first portion of the vehicle frame and the at least one vehicle wheel; rigidly securing a second portion of the vehicle frame to the ground surface such that the second portion of the vehicle frame does not substantially move with respect to the ground surface during the applying of the vibrational input; and measuring reaction to the vibrational input at at least one of the vehicle frame and the at least one wheel.