Dick;
I wouldn't think that anything bad would result from moving the axle back 2"
on your rear leaf springs. A slightly longer wheelbase will increase
stability somewhat.
The spring rate may be a bit asymmetrical fore & aft but it shouldn't be a
big deal. Having one shock mounted ahead of the axle & one mounted behind
(on each side) will help control any axle rotation caused by bump.
Regards, Neil Tucson, AZ
-----Original Message-----
From: Dick J [mailto:lsr_man@yahoo.com]
Sent: Tuesday, September 10, 2002 5:38 PM
To: autox list
Subject: Suspension question
Once again, I seek the assistance of the body of knowledge contained in this
list. I am building a 2000 pound Coupe using a fiberglass body on a 1972
Datsun pickup frame. This is a neat little frame with adjustable torsion
bar front independent suspension, and semi-eleptic leaf springs on the back
(holding up a 9" Ford rear end). I removed the two heavy duty load leaves
from each spring, and installed the basic three leaf bundle on each side.
The weight of the car brought everything down about two inches. Not very
much! I'd like to get it lower, but at the same time, I'd like to move the
rear axle back a little from where it is. What will happen to my suspension
and general handling if I just slide the axle back about six inches on the
leaf springs and clamp it in place there? I know a lot of leaf spring
setups have much more spring aft of the axle than in front of it. What's
going to happen if I turn this geometry around? It won't be radical. If I
moved it back, !
the axle would be about two inches rear of the center of the spring. I'd
install one short "fake leaf" with a hole to center on the bolt that's in
the current spring bundle, and a short stud to center and fix the spring
perch in place where the new U bolts will clamp down. Pinion angle has not
been set yet, and would be set after everything is in place. Am I going to
end up with some sort of wierd handling problem if I do this? I don't have
any room to move the entire spring backwards. The rear shackle is at the
very back edge of the body now. I don't want to cut the frame at all.
Dick J
|