Four link suspension question

[iamblackjack]

I got my front suspension from Scott's Hotrods and it's awsome. Top notch quality. They said that they could build me a rear four link as well, but I didn't feel that they understood the complexity of my problem. I had to send some parts back to them, so I packed some pictures and measuments aswell of the rear sub frame.

Here's what I got: I've built a new subframe from the front seat back. It follows the stock profile for the most part, but it is only 32 3/8" wide (all the way back). I planned on keeping a back seat and I didn't want to "back half" the car. The problem is that the upper links will have to be quite a bit shorter than the lower ones. I'd drawn up some designs my self and found that the pinion angle will only be change about 1-2 degrees when the suspension moves up or down 2". I showed my plans to a local race car builder and he said that they wouldn't work. He tried to sway me towards ladder bars (I plan on driving this car 98% on the street and I don't think that I want ladder bars ) I didn't see an engineering degree hanging on the wall either, so who knows.

Now, I'm no engineer, but I think that I've got a pretty good idea how things "work". I've searched the web alot trying to find some info on this subject, but I keep coming up with dirt track and race car designs.

Can any one help me out or point me in the right dirrection? I can e-mail pictures and scans of the measuments and designs.

Thanks,
Kirk.

 

[66P51GT]

This sounds like a job for http://www.corner-carvers.com/

 

[rbohm]

if the links are not equal, the suspension has a tendency to bind when in motion. the pinion angle may not change too much, but that is without the driveshaft in place, and that is where the bind may occur. either way you will need a panhard bar to locate the rear axle lateraly.

 

[iamblackjack]

I went to that web site and read alot of the threads. There was some good info. I tried to register, but some reason it was turned off by the administrator at the time. I'll try again later. I'd like to post my question dirrectly.

BTW. I was wanting to use a diagonal bar (I think that they call this a "Z" link). I didn't want to use a panhard bar or watts link because I was affraid that it would interfear with the exhaust (I want to run 2.5" or 3" over the rear end).