Wishbone suspension bolt on kit

[volkdent]

I've been digging around under the car again! Alex, you're correct, it will be at least 2 pieces, maybe 3 for the actual frame the A arms are connected to.

Another point, this set-up will be for maximum handling, so, though for most it will already be the case, this will be for lowered vehicles only. As you've already noticed, unless the splindle is situated higher, the lower arm will be hitting the tray.

To keep VW, the steering rack will probably be Rabbit or Golf, with or without power.

If you want to keep your height stock or higher, then I thing Payne Precision's front end will be the way to go. But I think that design downplays the handling potential of the A arm set up.

Jason

[ricola]

Just to show I'm still thinking about it. Here's a pic of my sketching so far. I might be able to keep the stock steering with a modified drop link to keep things simple. I haven't thought much about the frame, the main problem is to clear the tie rods and that's hard to visualise before the wishbone positions are set.

One thing that is becoming clear is that it will be optimum for a particular ride height. What height are most people running here?

Rich

[kiwivw]

Spent sometime this weekend looking through some hot rod mags. As you do

Rich, i think you're on the right track, nearly all of the aftermarket stuff shows un-equal length arms, with the lower arm holding the shock and the chassis connector holder the upper shock mount.

Cheers
Craig

[volkdent]

Rich,

You've noticed that the system has to be height range dependant. I think your idea is great for a stock height application and would be a little more straightforward. What do you have in mind for steering?

Jason

[ricola]

Looking at it I think I may be able to make a new drag link for the steering box which is bent downwards. This would drop it below the level of the upper wishbone. Possibly flipping the orientation of the inner tie rod ball joints. I would prefer to also use a bump steer kit to lower the tie rods but, as Alex mentioned, big calipers would no longer fit. I may also have to lengthen the lower steering arm to pull it back from the coil-over unit which would have the effect of increasing steering rate. Would people want this?
Otherwise, a rack is the other solution but would involve mods to column etc etc.

Why do you think my idea is good for stock height? I still have to determine wishbone locations, probably raising the lower pivot point above the pan, although this would make the frame more complicated unless the pan was cut for clearance. Is this an option people would be happy with?

Rich

[volkdent]

That's my point Rich, the way you have mounted the bottom arm under the pan is ideal for stock applications, but if you get really low, you'll be banging the lower arm against the tray under the MC. Unless the arms are short with the mounting points moved farther out, I think there will have to be 2 versions, a lowered one and a stock on. Heck, we can even make a raised one for all those Baja guys!

Jason

[volkdent]

Here's a peek at what I'm working on with Simon at Red9 design.

[kiwivw]

Dos this setup keep the front frame horns and wheel locations (they look like they may sit a little further back than stock)?

[Shad Laws]

Hello-

I _love_ the idea of double wishbone front suspension!

However, before you decide to take deposits or begin fabrication design, you may want to go to the bookstore and purchase some books on suspension design. There is a LOT of math involved in a good suspension design! Realizing that you need unequal length arms is simple compared to the complex geometry involved. There's no rush - spend a week or two reading little bits of the book at a time and understanding what's going on. Good technical books aren't easy to read quickly :-). Then, armed with the new knowledge, go back and attack your design problem. Determine if what you are picturing will give what you want or not.

Remember: if done properly (as the math will show), handling will be greatly increased. If done improperly, you'll end up worse than when you started.

Take care,

[Alex]

Mark has done suspensions before and has a racing background.
He also has computer programs fpr suspension setups that do the math.

There is no need to pre-order. One will be made for me and then you can see if you like it or not and as soon as my car is ready you will get a full report on how it handles.

Alex

[ppp]

could someone give me an average measurment from the bottom of the pan to the ground at the framehorn. please specify if you have lowered spindles or not, with around 205/40 tires would be nice.

and could you e-mail me this info payneprecision@hotmail.com

many thanks....Mark.

[Ron Roberts]

For a price perspective:

$1200.00 Total
($300.00) Shocks
=$900.00 Total (without shocks)
($800.00) Apprx. price for standard balljoint front end,
Spindle to spindle, including debatable TWX steering
box.
=$100.00 difference in price.

The cost redeeming side of the VW set up is not needing as expensive shocks as the coil overs. I guess since these front ends do not come with springs (other than the shocks) It s not fair to deduct the $300. This brings the difference to $400. Now you still have to buy shocks for the VW front end, so lets subtract $150 for some Bilsteins and call it a day. Now we are at $250 additional for Alexes front end compared to VW.

Ron

[volkdent]

Can anyone think of a production car the has A arm front suspension? Must be Metric!
Thanks

[volkdent]

I've settled on a Golf II non powered steering rack, and '86+ Porsche 928 spindles, 3 series BMW lower control arms, and very custom upper control arms. All the parts are finding their way here as we speak! I also have a couple of 17" rims coming so I can mock the whole thing up.

Jason


(edited 09/30/2005-- Obviously I had my head in my A$$ at this point, once I got a good look at my M3 lower control arms and the fact that the control arms have to be exactly the right length to go with the steering rack and overall track, this was not a good option at all. JF)

[Vincent]

hey i was just browsing the photos over on the Samba and came across this design looks very nice may give you guys some ideas

http://thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_p...p?pic_id=84705