How does the wheel mount for a lowered-floor bus work?

General Questions
#1

I’ve always wondered what sort of structure transfers a lowered-floor bus’s weight to the (front) wheels?

There’s a lot of weight riding on those wheels, and not much space in that wheel well for bracing or anything to keep the wheel from splaying out.

And unfortunately, a web search turns up nothing but bus dealers, repair shops, bus accessories, and news reports of transit agencies switching to this style of bus.

#2

Google Images for low floor bus front axle produces several diagrams that may be helpful.

#3

Thanks for the tip. Those images do explain quite a bit, but it looks like most of them attach at the top, which leads back to the question of how support is transferred to the frame which has to sit 2-3 feet below the the center-point of the wheel.

#4

Also, try a search for kneeling bus. It allows passengers in wheelchairs to board easily.

#5

And it’s the back axle that carries the weight. That’s where the engine is.

#6

The front axle is shaped like a U. The suspension is a series of air bladders. The bus “kneels” by venting the air out.