how bout a "watts link" instead of a track bar? ideas?

3/4tonYJ · 02-12-2002, 06:05 PM

anyone using a "watts link" instead of a track bar? or have any experience with it? or any thoughts at all.....?
i'm thinking this setup looks good, maybe wouldn't limit droop like a regular track bar does. just thinking about a future project

evilfij · 02-12-2002, 06:58 PM

In front you will have a hard (impossible) time keeping the axle located latterally.

In the rear, well, there are a ton of better options but it can be made to work ok. discovery II has a watts linkage in the rear stock. You are just much better off with a four link for flex.

Ron

cmk · 02-12-2002, 07:33 PM

Like Evil eluded to, it will work fine in the rear, although the complexity of it as compared to a triangulated 3 or 4 link is unnecessary.

As far as the front goes, unless you plan on going full hydraulic steering or you develop a "watts linkage drag link," it won't work ... well.

cmk

3/4tonYJ · 02-13-2002, 04:04 AM

i'm thinking about using this in conjuction with a 4-link, to help control the axle laterally. (in place of a trac bar)

i also have ideas about using this type of lateral link with a Quarter Eliptical setup, with one "axle wrap control ladder bar (shackle at front)" and then just two "lower control arms".....

dirtrod · 02-13-2002, 07:00 AM

If you angle 2 of the 4 links you won't need it.

JEEP_TJ_FREAK · 02-13-2002, 07:49 AM

The only watts linkage I have ever seen was busted, but is was some awsome carnage to watch.

HTH, sorry the images kinda suck, if you cannot tell the guy has a truss across the top and put a trailer spindle in it. He then used the hub to mount the links. I was a single heim failure that cause all that mess.

mj · 02-13-2002, 09:16 AM

the steering would be EASY to make work.
same as any link suspension you make the steering linkage near parallel to a link

cmk · 02-13-2002, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mj
the steering would be EASY to make work.
same as any link suspension you make the steering linkage near parallel to a link

A Watts linkage causes the axle to stay perfectly centered as it transposes in the vertical plane. A standard drag link is going to incur some bump steer as the suspension cycles in conjunction with a Watts linkage.

Sure you can minimize the bump steer by going with a long, flat link, but you can't get rid of it.

cmk

02-12-2002, 06:05 PM	#1
3/4tonYJ back from otherside Join Date: Jul 2000 Member # 1375 Location: Central, PA. Posts: 668	how bout a "watts link" instead of a track bar? ideas? anyone using a "watts link" instead of a track bar? or have any experience with it? or any thoughts at all.....? i'm thinking this setup looks good, maybe wouldn't limit droop like a regular track bar does. just thinking about a future project __________________ www.52 Ford F-3.com Last edited by 3/4tonYJ; 02-12-2002 at 06:08 PM.

02-12-2002, 06:58 PM	#2
evilfij Registered User Join Date: Oct 2001 Member # 7755 Location: Main Line PA Posts: 1,930	In front you will have a hard (impossible) time keeping the axle located latterally. In the rear, well, there are a ton of better options but it can be made to work ok. discovery II has a watts linkage in the rear stock. You are just much better off with a four link for flex. Ron __________________ :evil: Last edited by evilfij; 02-12-2002 at 07:01 PM.

02-12-2002, 07:33 PM	#3
cmk I Wanna' Go FAST ! Join Date: May 2000 Member # 987 Location: 262 Posts: 1,789	Like Evil eluded to, it will work fine in the rear, although the complexity of it as compared to a triangulated 3 or 4 link is unnecessary. As far as the front goes, unless you plan on going full hydraulic steering or you develop a "watts linkage drag link," it won't work ... well. cmk __________________ Driver ......... *TREC #318* Passenger ... To Be Announced KOH-Qualifier**

02-13-2002, 04:04 AM	#4
3/4tonYJ back from otherside Join Date: Jul 2000 Member # 1375 Location: Central, PA. Posts: 668	i'm thinking about using this in conjuction with a 4-link, to help control the axle laterally. (in place of a trac bar) i also have ideas about using this type of lateral link with a Quarter Eliptical setup, with one "axle wrap control ladder bar (shackle at front)" and then just two "lower control arms"..... __________________ www.52 Ford F-3.com

02-13-2002, 07:49 AM	#6
JEEP_TJ_FREAK Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Member # 4099 Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma Posts: 1,029	Don't do it man! The only watts linkage I have ever seen was busted, but is was some awsome carnage to watch. HTH, sorry the images kinda suck, if you cannot tell the guy has a truss across the top and put a trailer spindle in it. He then used the hub to mount the links. I was a single heim failure that cause all that mess.

02-13-2002, 07:00 AM	#5
dirtrod Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Member # 4224 Location: michigan Posts: 854	If you angle 2 of the 4 links you won't need it.

02-13-2002, 09:16 AM	#7
mj Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Member # 1919 Location: BC Canada Posts: 6,907	the steering would be EASY to make work. same as any link suspension you make the steering linkage near parallel to a link

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode