Spring over vs spring behind

[Zandoz]

Is there a problem using a spring over four bar set up, mounted on a typical T-Bucket style perch?

Thanks.

Bill

 

[Youngster]

You say you want to build a low car. The spring behind will be easier to set up for you.

Ron

 

[Zandoz]

You say you want to build a low car. The spring behind will be easier to set up for you.

Ron

I hope this does not end up being a duplicate post. I responded earlier but it seems to have taken a detour into the twilight zone.

The reason I'm considering the spring over set up is that it gives me a shot at getting a cross steer drag link, or a rack & pinion setup, behind the radiator. With the frame low there is no room, or spindles dropped far enough, to go under the frame. the spring behind set up moves the axle too far forward to have any hope of clearing the radiator.

 

[RPM]

Use a drop perch, which locates the top of the spring higher to the frame. This will lower the car quite a bit.

 

[sstock]

Here is a pic of a spring over the axle. As you can see like Ron says. you need to get the perch up to get the right drop. If you don't mind the perch being in front of the radiator. Also will shorten the wheelbase which may be desireable to the look you want or not.

 

[Zandoz]

Use a drop perch, which locates the top of the spring higher to the frame. This will lower the car quite a bit.

That was exactly my plan. As near as I've been able to figure, I'd need a perch that puts the mounting surface at 6" above the center line of the cross member tube.

This still still leaves me with my drag link arm issue that I've been grappling with in another thread. is it OK for the drag link to be on an angle with the tie rod. Right now I'm looking at about 8 degrees to the rear, regardless if I use a cross steer set up or rack & pinion.

 

[Zandoz]

Here is a pic of a spring over the axle. As you can see like Ron says. you need to get the perch up to get the right drop. If you don't mind the perch being in front of the radiator. Also will shorten the wheelbase which may be desireable to the look you want or not.

I have no problem with that. I'd love to see more of that car...especially it's steering set up.

 

[Chief-T]

That was exactly my plan. As near as I've been able to figure, I'd need a perch that puts the mounting surface at 6" above the center line of the cross member tube.

This still still leaves me with my drag link arm issue that I've been grappling with in another thread. is it OK for the drag link to be on an angle with the tie rod. Right now I'm looking at about 8 degrees to the rear, regardless if I use a cross steer set up or rack & pinion.

I think there is some confusion of terms here. The tie rod runs from spindle to spindle and the drag link from pitman arm to spindle. Therefore the drag link will be approx 90* to the tie rod. I think you are referring to the angle between the drag link and the radius rods.

 

[2old2fast]

I think he's referring to a cross - steer setup in which the draglink runs parralel to the tie - rod , rack & pinion w/ straight axle =no,no!!
With the right combo of dropped steering arms ,etc. ,you can run your tie-rod & draglink behind the axle, it just takes planning. Look at CCR chassis, their tie-rod is behind the axle.
dave

 

[Chief-T]

I think he's referring to a cross - steer setup in which the draglink runs parralel to the tie - rod , rack & pinion w/ straight axle =no,no!!
With the right combo of dropped steering arms ,etc. ,you can run your tie-rod & draglink behind the axle, it just takes planning. Look at CCR chassis, their tie-rod is behind the axle.
dave

I get it now.

 

[Zandoz]

I think he's referring to a cross - steer setup in which the draglink runs parralel to the tie - rod , rack & pinion w/ straight axle =no,no!!
With the right combo of dropped steering arms ,etc. ,you can run your tie-rod & draglink behind the axle, it just takes planning. Look at CCR chassis, their tie-rod is behind the axle.
dave

Yup, I'm referring to a cross-steer set up. From what I've seen of CCR's set up (which isn't a lot), it does not apply to my situation. It appears to me that they are using a conventional steering set up, and they're getting the tie rod behind space by stretching the wheelbase. I'm fighting to keep the wheelbase as short as possible. I have no aversion to running the tie rod ahead of the axle...my problem is with the cross-steer drag link which has to run behind. With as low as I need my frame to be, I can not run it below the frame...running it above the frame with the steering arms I've seen puts the radiator in the way.