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View Full Version : So this whole suspension thing is killing me....


gecko1000
12-06-2008, 03:21 PM
Ok, i'll admit it: i am stumped with this suspension thing. if anyone can help me out, I would greatly appreciate it. I've searched all over the internet and found numerous resources explaining how suspension works, what type is best for what car, etc, but I have failed to find anything on how to build suspension from scratch.

So from what i understand, and what ive concluded, this is what it has come down to:

Use the suspension from a yamaha rhino or similar. Short, double a-arm system.

Use the suspension from a Caterham 7 replica. i would source the a-arms, hubs, and steering knuckles.

still make the suspension from scratch. but what are the proportions?! if my bottom wishbone is x, how long is my top wishbone? I cant find anything.

BUT! i did find a great book on amazon: Building motorcycle powered cars.
that should be here in a couple days.

Cody
12-12-2008, 09:20 PM
Try "Chassis Engineering by Herb Adams" I have it and find it to be a great book.


Cody

Cody
12-12-2008, 09:21 PM
"TUNE TO WIN" BY Carrol Smith is even better.

Cody

gecko1000
12-13-2008, 12:11 AM
thanks! i'll check em out. i just purchased a brand new book: How to build motorcycle-engined race cars, and it has an extensive suspension chapter. problems solved!!

ace
04-30-2009, 09:20 PM
If you're still looking, here's a good thread about it from another forum:
http://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=408353&st=0&#entry8198604

metalworkingdude
10-31-2010, 06:25 PM
I have a number of books on suspension design, in general they are either very simplistic armchair books ("here are some pictures of suspension parts") or extremely theoretical/mathematical (like the Miliken SAE book).

Rowley's "Intro to Race Car Engineering" is good
Costin & Phipps' "Racing and Sports Car Chassis Design" is very good too, more easily digestible and pragmatic.