Better Handling

[parrot]

Was in bed last night flicking through a copy of Modern Motor from September 1967.

 

In the what's new column, they detailed the "Endeavour Equipment Control Rod" for vehicles with a live axle suspended by semi-elliptic springs.

 

It was a very simple set up, that these days would be very easy to replicate. In 1967 it cost $15.

 

Essentially it is a trailing link on the drivers side, that is located between the U bolt bracket and the front spring mount following the line of the spring. The trailing link was situated underneath the spring. It required drilling a hole in the front spring mount to locate it. Then there is a panhard rod that is mounted diagonally from the same front spring mount across to the U bolt bracket on the passenger side.

 

It was claimed that this did not interfere with manufacturer geometry, and provided all the advantages of greatly improved axle location.

 

Unfortunately I can't scan things this week, but wondered what people think? Clearly it isn't a race set up or anything, but may be a simple modification for road cars.

 

 

There is still a company called Endeavour Equipment in Melbourne, but these days they make assorted healthcare equipment..........

Edited January 27, 2012 by parrot

[Boosted]

Doesn't sound like a great plan to me, some positives, some negatives.

The link to the front spring mount from the u-bolt, is just acting like a tramp rod, in that it will stop the spring winding up as you put the power in. Typically tramp rods are on both sides, but I was recently reading an article that suggested a link on one side can help with launching a drag car straight, leaving one side some freedom to offset the engine/driveline torque reaction.

 

The panhard rod, I can't really understand what it's there for. On any other suspension it's used for lateral location of the diff, but with a leaf spring rear end the springs take care of that.

The disadvantage of the panhard would be, unless the bar is setup pretty much horizontal at ride height, the swing of the panhard rod changes the lateral location of the diff, leading to the rear having an effect on the steering of the car. With the leaf springs resisting this sideways motion, I'm not sure how that would work, perhaps it would just end up working the sping bushes pretty well whilst still affecting the lateral location of the diff. Otherwise it would attempt to bind up ?

[altezzaclub]

boosted I think the diagonal link would be so long the arc it traveled through would not bind the leaves. In theory, if it was set up horizontal, it would pull the diff towards the drivers side if it went up or down, but that would only be a couple of mm or so, far less than the rubber bushes and springs flex normally.

 

In reality it wouldn't be horizontal at rest, it would aim down, so it would pull the diff towards the driver's as it dropped and push it away as it rose.

 

The thing I'd think about carefully would be the stress on the one chassis mount. Then again, with a 4K it wouldn't matter, you'd never develop enough power to stress it!! :laff:

 

If you went drifting it would give the mount a hard time... but, drifting with a 4K??

 

Knock one up and try it parrot, it sounds simple enough to make.

[philbey]

Leaf springs could definitely benefit from a panhardthey are not stiff laterally, especially if you look at the flex through the bushes and shackles.

[Boosted]

In reality it wouldn't be horizontal at rest, it would aim down, so it would pull the diff towards the driver's as it dropped and push it away as it rose.

 

Exactly why it's better the closer to Horizontal, less total movement of the diff, or at least it can be tailored for the least amount of variation from centre. I tend to agree that the slop in the spring bushes would probably be enough to allow the system to work.

Grp 4 Escorts run with a huge tower arrangment to get the panhard rod closer to Horizontal (though technically they're a 4 link rear end anyway) and they don't seem to have too many drama's with fatiguing the rails/tower.

 

Leaf springs could definitely benefit from a panhardthey are not stiff laterally, especially if you look at the flex through the bushes and shackles.

 

Not real stiff, agreed, but stiff enough for the job asked of them. Landcruisers are pretty heavy trucks and they run (or ran) leaf springs in the rear. Whether you'd notice the additional stiffness on road tyres, perhaps debatable. An upgrade to Poly bushes in the spring hangers would probably be more noticeable.