Suspension: designs, shapes, sizes
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| − | + | =Basic information= | |
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| − | + | ==Front suspension== | |
| − | + | ===McPherson strut assembly=== | |
| − | + | ===Over/under A-arm=== | |
| − | + | ===Leaf Spring & Solid Axle=== | |
| + | This setup is most commonly used in 4x4 vehicles and very old cars. The concept here is that two leaf springs are attached at both ends on the body while the center of the leaf springs are attached to the solid front axle. Sterring is achieved through steering knuckles on the end of the axle and on 4x4 vehicles power is transmitted through the steering axles to the wheels via universal joints and stub axles which engages the wheel hubs. | ||
| − | + | ==Rear suspension== | |
| − | + | ===Solid axle=== | |
| − | + | ====Leaf Spring==== | |
| − | + | Leaf spring Rear Suspension is much like it is for the front minus the steering linkage and knuckles. Two leaves evenly spaced off center which attach at their ends to the body both at the front and back are then attached | |
| − | + | ====4 Link==== | |
| − | + | Two straight lower control arms and two opposingly angeled upper control arms hold the rear end in place horizontally while allowing it to move vertically. This setup allows for the use of coilovers or coil springs and shocks. | |
| − | + | ====3 Link==== | |
| − | + | 3-Link suspension is a design of rear suspension which has 3 control arms on a solid rear axle connecting it to the body. The two bottom links remain in the their typical location while the top 3rd link is attached to the top of the rear end perfectly center. It is said this type of setup achieves the best handling as the rear end is allowed to tilt from side to side with the roadway, while the rear end is kept centered. This setup must utilize either a panhard bar or watts link for centering the rear axle. The one main disadvantage of this setup is when retrofitting it on old cars the back seat may have to be removed entirly to allow the 3rd control arm to be attached to the body optimally. Coil springs and shocks are used in this setup or a coilover setup can be used | |
| − | + | ====Ladder bar==== | |
| − | + | ====Truck arm==== | |
| − | + | A truck arm suspension uses 2 I-beam section links that mount wide at the axle and close together at the frame. The arms mount solidly (with U-bolts) at the axle and on bushings at the frame. This suspension was originally used on ____ trucks and is now used in NASCAR. This arrangement is over constrained and relies on deflection of the links and bushings in order for the body to roll. Because of this it acts like a built-in anti-roll bar, however the rate can not be adjusted without replacing the arms. This is something to be aware of when upgrading from factory to heavy duty aftermarket arms. A Panhard bar is traditionally used for lateral restraint. | |
| − | + | ====Torque arm==== | |
| − | + | A torque arm setup utilizes 2 lower control arms while having a unique arm which attaches near the ceneter of the rear end near the pinion. This third torque arm extends all the way to the transmission tailshaft or crossmember. It can use either coil overs or a coil spring and shock setup. Also this setup like the 3 link requires either a panhard bar or watts link for centering the rear axle. This system is known to be a good handling performer however during lauches the flexing of the tourque arm can change pinion angle undesirably. On solution to this problem is to buy a sturdier aftermarket torque arm. | |
| − | + | ===Solid Axle Centering Devices=== | |
| − | + | ====Panhard Bar==== | |
| − | + | A Panhard bar is a diagonal connection between a connection point on a cars body and the opposite end of a solid rear axle. Both connection points are allowed to pivot allowing the vehicles rear axle to move up and down while limiting side to side motion. The primary disadvantage of this system is the small amount of arc that is inhearant when the bar swivels around either pivot point. | |
| − | + | ====Watts link==== | |
:A watts link obtains centering of a rear differential through 2 rods attached to a plate which pivots on the center of the rear axel. This setup allows up and down motion of the rear end through the rotation of the steel plate while the bars attaching to opposite sides of the rotating plate prevent the rear end from moving side to side as they oppose each others motion | :A watts link obtains centering of a rear differential through 2 rods attached to a plate which pivots on the center of the rear axel. This setup allows up and down motion of the rear end through the rotation of the steel plate while the bars attaching to opposite sides of the rotating plate prevent the rear end from moving side to side as they oppose each others motion | ||
| − | + | ====Mumford link==== | |
:This linkage allows the roll center to be lower than possible with either a Panhard or Watts arrangement. The advantage is that it allows the use of high rate suspension springs...which provide some advantages with aerodynamic loads...without seriously affecting the distribution of the roll couple. | :This linkage allows the roll center to be lower than possible with either a Panhard or Watts arrangement. The advantage is that it allows the use of high rate suspension springs...which provide some advantages with aerodynamic loads...without seriously affecting the distribution of the roll couple. | ||
| − | + | ===Solid axle traction devices=== | |
| − | + | ====Traction bars==== | |
1.2.2. Semi-Independent Rear Suspension | 1.2.2. Semi-Independent Rear Suspension | ||
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