Possible project (standard Beetle)

[Wally]

Originally Posted by judgie

not a big fan of either the red nine kit or the bolt on wishbone.

the wish bone fornt ends dont have long enough wish bones to convince me that they will be any better than a well set up beam front end.

Very surprised you say that. The wish bones don't have to be that long in a double wishbone set-up for them to work their magic adjusting caster as they move up and down.
I think the Mendeola double wish bone set-up is miles better then the ball-joint bug front suspension.

[evilC]

Originally Posted by Wally

Very surprised you say that. The wish bones don't have to be that long in a double wishbone set-up for them to work their magic adjusting caster as they move up and down.
I think the Mendeola double wish bone set-up is miles better then the ball-joint bug front suspension.

I agree with Rob. Short wishbones mean that for relatively small movements the geometry can change excessively. Longer wishbones operate over a smaller angular movement keeping camber under greater control. Also the reaction at the pivot points on longer wishbones is much les than with their shorter cousins meaning that flexible pivots like poly bushes have much less to do and the heim joints last longer.

I also agree you Wally, that the Mendeola double wishbone set up is infinitely better than twin trailing arms but also much better than Red9's design.

Clive

[oasis]

I love the ongoing banter with the compare and contrast with you guys who know the technical stuff. I'm sponging as much info as I can.

There's another Mendeola thread I had not seen until today. It includes an interesting Samba link. Well, the first page was interesting. I'll read the other 18 when I have time.

Embedded here is the link to the Mendeola page.

Without derailing the above discussion, what does everyone think of the rear set-up?

Also, the price difference between the front and the rear is noticeably lower than the complete chassis. Is setting up for their transaxle that complicated to warrant such a price? Would that total set-up be necessary if one were to get a custom Rancho transaxle?

I know I could ask Mendeola, and at some point I might, but I like the unbiased take everyone here has -- even if not always in agreement.