Live axle location & setup
Posted: September 30th, 2013, 12:08 pm
Hi Guys
This is to help with my Capri Track build, but then it maybe will come in handy for others running a live axle.
I am currently building a Mk3 Capri to be used mainly as a track car, not really bothered about road driving at this point.
I have already decided that the front end will feature compression struts at some point to add in extra adjustability, but now its time for the rear. It would be great to make the rear end as adjustable as possible, but still keeping the original character of the car e.g. leaf springs and no 4 link arms etc. I don't mind adding more items to the shell, but i really don't want to cut much off the shell e.g. 4 link boxes.
There seems to be quite a few many people out there producing leaf springs for competition, for now i will be using second hand 2.8i single leaf springs.
I know that by adding to the rear axle assembly i will be increasing un-sprung weight, maybe a few little tweaks will help keep this as minimal as possible. But again advice in this subject is much appreciated.
I have taken an extract from the thread in 'Readers cars' (see below)
For the Capri like may live axle cars there are plenty of options for controlling rear axle location with plenty of people offering different kits e.g.
- Axle Triangulation Kit
- Panhard Rod
- Watts Linkage
- 4 linked kit
Personally i think for what i am building the car for i would really like to adopt a Watts linkage. I do have my reasons and in time i will try to explain.
To start with though i don't want to change the original character of the car too much from OE specification as then it isn't really a Capri. Therefore i will not be fitting 4 link boxes and ditching the leaf springs. Maybe this will change later but i really want to try and keep the leaf springs for originality.
I don't really like the idea of the panhard rod as it really doesn't keep the axle centered under both right and left handed corners, whereas the Watts linkage allows you to keep the axle centered. I will eventually go into more detail but that should be fine for now.
From what i can see there are not too many people out there with a Watts linkage and rear leaf setup on a Capri, therefore it looks like i will have to adapt my own kit maybe from an Escort Mk2 or start from scratch?
The next thing i can see is i have a couple of options with Watts linkage setup.
- Watts linkage with pivot built into differential housing plate (possibly make this slightly adjustable with a slight re-design of the crank?)
- Adjustable roll centre Watts linkage which attaches to axle tubes? There seems to be many different types on the US market. Experience anyone?
Does anyone have any advice on Watts linkage setups and try to give some pros and cons of each?? All advice would be much appreciated as i need to work out how i will attach to the vehicle whilst i have the shell stripped down.
I have noticed there is a range of books e.g. Engineered to Win etc which may come in handy, but it would be great to get other peoples input also.
This is to help with my Capri Track build, but then it maybe will come in handy for others running a live axle.
I am currently building a Mk3 Capri to be used mainly as a track car, not really bothered about road driving at this point.
I have already decided that the front end will feature compression struts at some point to add in extra adjustability, but now its time for the rear. It would be great to make the rear end as adjustable as possible, but still keeping the original character of the car e.g. leaf springs and no 4 link arms etc. I don't mind adding more items to the shell, but i really don't want to cut much off the shell e.g. 4 link boxes.
There seems to be quite a few many people out there producing leaf springs for competition, for now i will be using second hand 2.8i single leaf springs.
I know that by adding to the rear axle assembly i will be increasing un-sprung weight, maybe a few little tweaks will help keep this as minimal as possible. But again advice in this subject is much appreciated.
I have taken an extract from the thread in 'Readers cars' (see below)
For the Capri like may live axle cars there are plenty of options for controlling rear axle location with plenty of people offering different kits e.g.
- Axle Triangulation Kit
- Panhard Rod
- Watts Linkage
- 4 linked kit
Personally i think for what i am building the car for i would really like to adopt a Watts linkage. I do have my reasons and in time i will try to explain.
To start with though i don't want to change the original character of the car too much from OE specification as then it isn't really a Capri. Therefore i will not be fitting 4 link boxes and ditching the leaf springs. Maybe this will change later but i really want to try and keep the leaf springs for originality.
I don't really like the idea of the panhard rod as it really doesn't keep the axle centered under both right and left handed corners, whereas the Watts linkage allows you to keep the axle centered. I will eventually go into more detail but that should be fine for now.
From what i can see there are not too many people out there with a Watts linkage and rear leaf setup on a Capri, therefore it looks like i will have to adapt my own kit maybe from an Escort Mk2 or start from scratch?
The next thing i can see is i have a couple of options with Watts linkage setup.
- Watts linkage with pivot built into differential housing plate (possibly make this slightly adjustable with a slight re-design of the crank?)
- Adjustable roll centre Watts linkage which attaches to axle tubes? There seems to be many different types on the US market. Experience anyone?
Does anyone have any advice on Watts linkage setups and try to give some pros and cons of each?? All advice would be much appreciated as i need to work out how i will attach to the vehicle whilst i have the shell stripped down.
I have noticed there is a range of books e.g. Engineered to Win etc which may come in handy, but it would be great to get other peoples input also.