Outer Limits 4x4 Board

N*A*M wrote:

DeWsE wrote:If I do need a panhard rod, would I be correct in saying that rod needs to be the same length and parallel to the steering to stop binding?

not bind but bump steer

Okay so how important would in be offroad at slow speeds? Would I loose my thumbs without it?

If the 4 links on a 5 link setup are equal length and parrallel will they still bind?

Slunnie wrote:If the 4 links on a 5 link setup are equal length and parrallel will they still bind?

yes because they are still goin to try to twist the housing as it flexes

Off road at slow speed triangulated 4 link wouldn't bump steer so to speak, but as it flexes the wheels will turn (steer)... so to stay going straight ahead you have to turn the steering wheel one way or another to compensate as you are flexing... then back as you flex in the other direction.

Trust me, I used to run a 4 link front.

If a 5 link is designed well you will get heaps of flex before it binds - enough for a 14 or 16" travel shock/coilover/airshock.

Other thing to consider is roll centre and roll axis. Alot more buggies are going to 4 link (2 lower control arms, 1 upper and a panhard) with a high and flat axel mount on the panhard - higher on the rear than on the front so that the roll axis slopes slightly forward.

Oh, baiscally when using a panhard and 3 or 4 link the roll centre is half way down the length of the panhard, and the closer the roll axs is to the COG the less body roll you get in off camber.

One more for now - triangulating your lowers slightly will reduce (eliminate) rear steer (or front steer for a front application) during articulation. The angle and connection points of the lowers and uppers also effect the amount of squat or anti-squat under acceleration...

Rambling now, sorry, I'm outa here.

S.

FireTruck wrote:Off road at slow speed triangulated 4 link wouldn't bump steer so to speak, but as it flexes the wheels will turn (steer)... so to stay going straight ahead you have to turn the steering wheel one way or another to compensate as you are flexing... then back as you flex in the other direction.

Trust me, I used to run a 4 link front.

If a 5 link is designed well you will get heaps of flex before it binds - enough for a 14 or 16" travel shock/coilover/airshock.

Other thing to consider is roll centre and roll axis. Alot more buggies are going to 4 link (2 lower control arms, 1 upper and a panhard) with a high and flat axel mount on the panhard - higher on the rear than on the front so that the roll axis slopes slightly forward.

Oh, baiscally when using a panhard and 3 or 4 link the roll centre is half way down the length of the panhard, and the closer the roll axs is to the COG the less body roll you get in off camber.

One more for now - triangulating your lowers slightly will reduce (eliminate) rear steer (or front steer for a front application) during articulation. The angle and connection points of the lowers and uppers also effect the amount of squat or anti-squat under acceleration...

Rambling now, sorry, I'm outa here.

S.

correct me if i am wrong but i thought the front and rear each had there own roll axis and u determined the roll axis buy drawing a line throught the instant center and half way throught the panhard? (3 link with panhard)

got me there... more research required for me... I thought that the roll axis was for the entire vehicle, and was the axis you get when joining the roll centre of each axel.. ?

You are both correct. There are 3 roll axii.

1 for each axle and the 3rd which FireTruck was referring to.

Cool - both right, I like it... still obviously need to do some research on this stuff though...

i bit of a dig but i need advice.

im upgrading from leaf springs all round and currently investigating suspension set ups for QLD/NSW competitions.

ie: 3 link & panhard front
4 link triangulated rear
normal high steer getup or similar

would this setup suit rockcrawling, tufftruck, superior allterrain challenge
competitions

id be interested to know the same thing. mull didnt i start this about our disagreement? i thought i did