Suspension questions
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 245
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh NC
Suspension questions
Due to a recent post about Norval and a-arms, I have learned a LOT about suspension, but I'm still a long ways off from understanding it.
I know what an a-arm is, what a shock is, what the springs are and what they do, I know what the IRS is, and I know what camber is, as well as ackermans. (Is that spelled right?)
But that's pretty much it. What's an idler arm? Spindle? etc. etc. I want to know everything. From some of the pictures in that other post, I kind of understand the term suspension geometry, but not fully... nor do I understand it's effects on the car. Why is a 5-link system better than ours? I know it keeps a greater contact patch on the ground, but how? If I had body off I could perhaps look at all this stuff and understand it better, but alas I do not. What's the benefits of a double-a-arm suspension, and what're the altneratives anyways? I would appreciate it if somebody in here could teach me what the heck all this stuff means and what it does, because I more easily learn from people than I do from books, but if anybody knows of any books with some good diagrams, especially if they pertain to c3's, I'd love to know about them.
I know what an a-arm is, what a shock is, what the springs are and what they do, I know what the IRS is, and I know what camber is, as well as ackermans. (Is that spelled right?)
But that's pretty much it. What's an idler arm? Spindle? etc. etc. I want to know everything. From some of the pictures in that other post, I kind of understand the term suspension geometry, but not fully... nor do I understand it's effects on the car. Why is a 5-link system better than ours? I know it keeps a greater contact patch on the ground, but how? If I had body off I could perhaps look at all this stuff and understand it better, but alas I do not. What's the benefits of a double-a-arm suspension, and what're the altneratives anyways? I would appreciate it if somebody in here could teach me what the heck all this stuff means and what it does, because I more easily learn from people than I do from books, but if anybody knows of any books with some good diagrams, especially if they pertain to c3's, I'd love to know about them.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 12
From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Re: Suspension questions (Enkil)
It would get too long to try and teach you everything you want to know but by reading posts related to suspension you will learn over time.
The idler arm is the link joining the drag link to the frame on the passengers side, It bolts to the frame with 2 bolts and the othe end connects to the drag link, On the drivers side the pitman arm under the steering box holds the other end,'
A spindle is a casting that holds the wheel, plus the upper and lower ball joints, It also has stubs on it to bolt the brake bracket for holding the caliper. They are only used on the front, not back.
There are some excellent books on the subject but the one I used is for stock cars but the idea is the same.
The idler arm is the link joining the drag link to the frame on the passengers side, It bolts to the frame with 2 bolts and the othe end connects to the drag link, On the drivers side the pitman arm under the steering box holds the other end,'
A spindle is a casting that holds the wheel, plus the upper and lower ball joints, It also has stubs on it to bolt the brake bracket for holding the caliper. They are only used on the front, not back.
There are some excellent books on the subject but the one I used is for stock cars but the idea is the same.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 4,269
Likes: 3
From: St. Charles IL
Cruise-In 5-6-7-8-9-11-12 Veteran
A CI-6 Car Show Winner
Re: Suspension questions (Enkil)
You might want to get the AIM manual for your car. It not only shows every component, nut and bolt for your suspension, but a lot of other good info as well.
