Suspension question for Wheels 777.: Grassroots Motorsports forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

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Oct. 26, 2010 12:56 p.m. 914Driver SuperDork

Andrew, I've been sitting here looking at the October GRM calendar for 25 days now and couldn't put my finger on what wasn't right. It's a photo of your Challenger, the fenderless black VW.

It's the rear suspension, the leaf spring. It appears to have only one leaf. Perhaps the others are hidden behind the massive slick, and I can see why one leaf could make the car settle quickly during a drag launch, but how does it help or hinder at Auto-X.

It is a light car and maybe I'm over thinking this.

Thanx, Dan
Oct. 26, 2010 1:05 p.m. Rob_Mopar Reader

If I remember correctly he's using 1/4 elliptic springs, one on each side, on the black Bug with ladder bars. I don't think the leaves are locating the rear like in a traditional leaf sprung setup. Just being used as springs similar to a coil sprung ladder bar setup. Knowing him the leaves probably weighed less than similar rate coils, packaged easier in that particular car, and most importantly were from scrap springs he got for free.
Oct. 26, 2010 1:18 p.m. wheels777 Dork

Hey Dan, Each side has a half leaf sandwiched between the rear and a flat plate welded to the top of a $5 ladder bar. The preload was adjusted by belt sanding a thin wedge that was inserted on the right side.....super simple. The half leaf also laterally locate the rear. These leafs were utilized so that a panhard was not needed. That was done in order to make room for the battery and fuel cell.
Oct. 27, 2010 11:19 a.m. 914Driver SuperDork

Thanks. I'm having Cortina suspension issues; front is tight, rear is floppy.

Dan
Oct. 27, 2010 12:37 p.m. ValuePack HalfDork

Off topic:

I've displayed my GRM calendars at work for years, but not one month yet has garnered so much interest from passers-by as October 2010.

Well done, Andy. I'm looking forward to the reign of Studebakers.
Oct. 27, 2010 2:26 p.m. evildky Dork

wheels777 wrote: These leafs were utilized so that a panhard was not needed.
unless you want to turn
Oct. 27, 2010 4:00 p.m. wheels777 Dork

Hey Dan,

http://cam777.synthasite.com/
The last picture of Day 34. I don't have a pic of the shim. Do you need to see that?

FWIW, it ran 1.48 60' times. And, it ran 13th quickest in the A-x on VERY old tires.
Oct. 27, 2010 4:11 p.m. wheels777 Dork

ValuePack wrote:

Off topic:

I've displayed my GRM calendars at work for years, but not one month yet has garnered so much interest from passers-by as October 2010.

Well done, Andy. I'm looking forward to the reign of Studebakers.

Same with mine. Best part is when they read the caption and then reallize it's our car. Thanks for the kind words.
Oct. 28, 2010 6:04 a.m. 914Driver SuperDork

Thanks Andy, got it now! Pictures are GREAT!!! It's like a trailing arm suspension with a twist.

Dan