Next-Gen Ride Height and Wear Detection – Inside the Ball Joint Itself
Musashi Americas is excited to announce a new approach to suspension diagnostics: the Angle & Wear Sensing Ball Joint, powered by our patent pending Suspension Sense™ technology.
By embedding intelligent sensing directly into the ball joint, this compact solution eliminates the need for external sensors – simplifying assembly, reducing machining costs, and increasing system reliability even in harsh environments.
This internal sensor also enables mechanics, fleet managers, and consumers to effectively detect failures or over travel beyond the design limits. For example, a mechanic with this technology will be able to quicky diagnose in the field if a bushing or the ball joint is failing based on feedback from Suspension Sense™.
“We’ve taken what used to be a separate, failure-prone component and built it right into the ball joint,” said Sam Nasser, Director of Engineering at Musashi. “That means faster vehicle assembly, fewer warranty claims, and better visibility into what’s happening at the wheel.”
Delivering Manufacturing Efficiency & Vehicle Safety
Complex add-on components can become bottlenecks in today’s automotive landscape. Supply chains are strained and engineering teams are under pressure to reduce costs and streamline assembly.
Ride Height and Wear sensors are often installed externally during final assembly. These exposed units are vulnerable to ice, debris, and impact (especially in colder climates or heavy-duty applications). If they break, early-warning data is lost, putting vehicles and drivers at risk.
Suspension Sense™ moves sensing directly into the ball joint housing, creating a sealed, non-contact system that:
- Detects wear through axial movement
- Measures oscillation angle for ride height and payload
- Adapts to a wide range of ball joints and control arms across platforms and manufacturers
- Translates real-time data over existing CAN BUS architecture
It’s been lab-tested replicating on-road, off-road, and extreme temperature conditions delivering highly accurate detection of wear, with no change to voltage requirements or electrical architecture.
Suspension Sense™ Benefits
- Reduces part count and simplifies assembly
- Prevents ice-related sensor failures
- Supports warranty tracking and predictive maintenance
- Integrates with a wide range of suspension designs
- Runs on standard voltage and CAN BUS networks (Plug’n play)
- Gives mechanics and fleet managers earlier insight into failures
Request More Info
Suspension Sense™ represents more than just a technical upgrade – it’s a practical answer to real-world problems. From reducing machining steps to preventing dangerous steering and suspension failures, this technology empowers OEMs and drivers equally.
For specifications, test results, or integration inquiries, email us at info@musashina.com
