Suspension: designs, shapes, sizes
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===Solid axle=== | ===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 | + | :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==== | ====4 Link==== | ||
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====3 Link==== | ====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 Watt's 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 entirely to allow the 3rd control arm to be attached to the body optimally. Coil springs and shocks are used in this setup or a coil-over setup can be used | + | :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 Watt's 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 entirely to allow the 3rd control arm to be attached to the body optimally. Coil springs and shocks are used in this setup or a coil-over setup can be used |
====Ladder bar==== | ====Ladder bar==== | ||
====Truck arm==== | ====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. | + | :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==== | ====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. | + | :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=== | ===Solid Axle Centering Devices=== | ||
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