I am doing a 4 link set-up with rockwells. I have question regarding location of the bottom links.The top links converge in a "v" on top of the center section of the rockwell. My question is regarding the lower links which are straight ( l l). What is the affect or ramifications if the links attach to the top of the axle tube versus the front side of the axle tube? Does it reduce the effectiveness to fight axlewrap?If so to what extent?I am wanting to mount mine on top of the axletube (actually about 1-2 inches above the tube at center line). The reason is to make them level and to provide additional clearence.I don't have room to make trussed "high clearence links".My vehicle has 4 inches of lift and will be going to 6 inches.It runs 44 inch tires with plenty of motor.Links are in the neighborhood of 52 inches long if this of any help.So my links are long and flat and if I mount the lower off the front side of the axletube they will be in harms way as I can;t angle them enough to get them up out of the way(not that I want to angle them I like the flat approach). Any info appreciated. I have attached a picture of I believe desert toys set-up as a similiar example except his lower links are triangulated .My lowers will be straight and not triangulated like his. Also, I am using coil springs instead of 1/4 elliptic. Thanx in advance.

as long as there is enough distance between the upper and lower mounts i would work.

If you are going 1-2 inches above the centre line i would raise the upper mount the same distance

Im no expert and dont want to get into an agruement over this, but the farther above the axle you mount your links, the more leverage the axle exerts on the links and mounts. You will have more leverage against the axle if you mount them below the axle center line. Does that make sense? Im not saying that it wont work, just something to think about.


Coiledbj42 said to raise the upper in a direct relationship to the lowers, but I would raise them double.

Brook

Ok I understand what your saying. my links will still be 8-9 inches apart vertically at the axle So I think it will probably be ok..don't know for sure..I know in the pictures of Garth's jeep that was in JP with all the avlanche work that the top an dlower links did not appear to be more than probably say 5 inches apart and it uses the avalanche axles with the rockwell center...Thanx for the input..Any more input would be appreciated..Thanx





Originally posted by bgreen
Im no expert and dont want to get into an agruement over this, but the farther above the axle you mount your links, the more leverage the axle exerts on the links and mounts. You will have more leverage against the axle if you mount them below the axle center line. Does that make sense? Im not saying that it wont work, just something to think about.


Coiledbj42 said to raise the upper in a direct relationship to the lowers, but I would raise them double.

Brook :D :D

I'm no expert either, but from what I have read, you should be fine with the link mount about 8-9" apart. Mine are about 7" apart but that with Toy axles and a 4.3L, I don't have any problems at all. My lower links mount about 3" above the axle center.

Willy, do you self a favor and mount the lowers as / \ as possible. Put up some pics so we can see whats going on here.

I agree with PIG, now that I have mine done, I would do the / V \ to.

IMO raising the upper and lower links on the axle tube places extra stress on the links in exactly the same way as larger tyres do. This is because all you are doing is moving the links further away from the point of application of the load (the tyre/ground contact point) So if you were to lift the links say 2in on the axle tube this would give the same increase in link load as running tyres that were 4in bigger. Both these move the links 2in further away from the ground. So if the tyres were 40in dia you are only looking at 10% more link stress by raising them 2in which isnt much.

Why do you guys say to / \ the lower links. Is this just to get less rear steer??

Sam

what happens when the lower links are more like | | ? (sorry im a n00b learning and plan to do this ONE day) :flipoff2:

Originally posted by Strange Rover
Why do you guys say to / \ the lower links. Is this just to get less rear steer?? Sam

I beleive it will give you less rear steer and will also provide better leverage over the side to side movement of the axle.

1. Reduced rear-steer. (rear steer means that as your rear end twists up, it will also move to one side in an arc, effectively turning the vehicle)
2. It spreads the side-loads trying to push the axle away from center over all 4 links, instead of just the top two \/ links, nwhich would otherwise be taking all of it.

They're trying, I believe, to tell you to arrange the links like this ( XX ) - not in the VV arrangement you're thinking.

Here's a shot of Desertoy's 1/4 elliptic 4-link setup.
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/attachment.php?s=&postid=199197http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/attachment.php?s=&postid=199207

Camo did the I I and V combination in his triangulated 4-link, but the uppers are the parallel ones, to provide better celarance for the lowers (I think):
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/attachment.php?s=&postid=205444