In mid March, Tom posted this link: http://www.ffcobra.com/FAQ/3link.html 3/4 of the way down this page, there are two pictures of a mocked up 4-link using heim joints that apparently shows no binding due to roll. (I have not read all the comments related to these pictures.) Today at work I took a few peeks under a co-worker’s stock 2000 Mustang that possesses a 4-link rear end. (No panhard rod or anti-roll bars.) The 2 pix in Tom’s link correspond to what I saw.
Lying in bed last night while awaiting the sandman, I recalled these pictures in my mind’s CAD, and thought: ‘What If’ those heim joints were ‘pure’ hinges? My mind’s response was that the axle could (probably?) move up and down freely, but with ‘pure’ hinges at all the joints, theoretical roll resistance would be infinite, and only provided by flexing of the linkage arms or mounts or body or axle. That’s bind. (My definition of a ‘pure’ hinge is that it will provide rotation around the hinge pin axis only, NO other movements.)
As an experiment, I’ve been thinking of mocking up a similar 4-link using wood and hardware store hinges to see if it would ‘roll’ at all except for hinge slop and wood flex.
Sooo… In my mind’s eye, the Ford engineers (as driven by the Bean Counters) designed rubber rear suspension joints to allow the Mustang to turn with some semblance of control while at some sorta elevated speed. Then the aftermarket guys come along with the (urethane vs rubber) harder is better [Don’t let your mind wander off-topic here.] scenario. Previously, I believed that rubber mounts for suspension components were to provide a softer and quieter ride.
Experiments: (Like I’m an expert! :-) )
Go back to the factory parts… and start over... Probably Not!
Increase the front anti-roll bar stiffness to balance the rear.
Install the heim joint 3rd. link and reinstall the panhard bar. Experiment with rear and front anti-roll bars.
Install a complete 3-link (or 4-link?) heim joint conversion, Reinstall the panhard bar, and experiment with rear and front anti-roll bars.
Independent rear suspension?.. and restart chassis tuning? :-)
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