Hi there,

just wondering if we can get a good discussion started:


The prob. with a good leaf suspension is the following:

- the longer the leaves the better the articulation
- the flatter the leaves the better the articulation
- longer leaves need longer shackles (as they increase/decrease arc length more)
- longer leaves need to have the INNER mounting points moved more to the center of the truck - to keep the outer mounts (shackles) within the frame

how do you put on looooong leaves without moving the shackle "outside" (front or rear) of the frame, thus robbing angles?

best thing to do is look for an offset leaf (that doesnt have the centerpin in the middle)

but those tend to flex less than the centered one

aint that a catch22 situation :question: :D


any ideas? looks like for killer angles the way to go are spirals ... or is there anything i forgot about with the leaves?

thx
alfred

Originally posted by Alfred

aint that a catch22 situation :question: :D





Yes :D

well.... the first thing that comes to mind is if you're looking for THAT much articulation, move the axles for and aft to regain the approach/departure angles.
and don't drop link shackles extend the length of the shackles themselves, without losing too much space? (as opposed to just silly-long plain shackles)

oh, ya- the further inboard the leaf packs are, the better flex you'll get, due to leverage. i'm sure you can only go so far in though, because of interference with (offset) differentials, fuel tanks etc.