watts linkage winter project and more

[heimue]

Since I got bored over Christmas I thought it would be a good time to start (and finish!!!) some "little" projects on my Kadett. Well, #1, the Watt linkage, is actually finished, and I don't want to hide the pictures from you. For the ones not knowing what it is or does: Normally you have a panhard rod, mounted on the R/H side on the body, crossing over to the L/H side and mounted on the rear axle. With this design, the rear axle does not move straight up and down, but it also moves a little to the left when it moves up. A watt linkage with the additional body mount on the L/H side, and a rotating center rocker, does not allow any lateral movement, the axle moves in a straight line up and down. This rapidly improves handling in fast corners, the rear of the car doesn't feel as "fishy" anymore.
I started with the center rocker (pic 4), which consists of a turned center bearing with bronze flange bushings in it. Welded on it are the rocker pieces, to hold the spherical rod ends of the linkage rods. The center rocker is held in place with a shoulder bolt in the opposite piece of the bearing, a block solidly welded and ribbed on the differential housing lid (pic 5). The most challenging part (and the one with the most hours going in) was the L/H side body tower (pic 3), to mount the L/H rod to the car's body.
Meanwhile, body tower is welded in and the whole thing has been installed. It workes good. At least in my basement - the ones who know me know that the Kadett is some kind of long time story.
My next project is waiting for me, stay tuned...

Dieter

[Ooooner]

Dieter, It looks great! It looks like you fabricated this yourself. Where did you get the idea?

[heimue]

Roy,

yes I made all pieces myself. I just hate to spend 100s of $$$ for stuff I can fabricate myself. I got the idea about 25 years ago when I heard the name "Steinmetz" for the first time - he made them for Rallye Opels in the 70'.
I just needed to make that first before putting in my stainless exhaust - oops, I didn't want to take away the suspense what my other project could be

Dieter

[jordan]

One thing that I've heard about the watts linkage is that if it not adjusted perfectly the rear end will shake violently, dimensions and angles of the set up need to be near dead on. And if it, it can be the best rear suspension short of irs.

[OpelThom]

Dieter, looks great and it’s working to
Here a picture made in steel (black) and one made in aluminum, it’s much lighter
Has to anodized (in Bleu)
Thom

[RallyBob]

You'll note though thart Dieter's locating point on the rear axle housing is lower than the other kits. This lowers the roll center of the rear suspension. If the rear roll center is too high compared to the front, the roll couple gets funny and the handling can suffer.

Bob

[heimue]

Originally Posted by RallyBob You'll note though thart Dieter's locating point on the rear axle housing is lower than the other kits. This lowers the roll center of the rear suspension. If the rear roll center is too high compared to the front, the roll couple gets funny and the handling can suffer. Bob

This and the fact that I needed as much space as possible for clearing the exhaust pipes made me put the center as much down as possible.
Here is another pic, showing the parts in place.

Dieter

[Jeff Pozorski]

Is the differential cover strong enough to handle the stress loads placed up it? Is the cover the normal mounting point or is a center body mount preferred? This is out of my area of normal expertise and am just curious. Seems like the rear differential could be wrecked if the cover were "torqued" off by the stresses involved.

[jordan]

Originally Posted by Jeff Pozorski Is the differential cover strong enough to handle the stress loads placed up it? Is the cover the normal mounting point or is a center body mount preferred? This is out of my area of normal expertise and am just curious. Seems like the rear differential could be wrecked if the cover were "torqued" off by the stresses involved.

I would assume that is why there are so many gussets on the cover, it's quite possible that it will hold up. But over time it could "tear" the cover and stay intact but run the differental dry. I would assume that this is why the watts linkage from steinmetz uses the cover bolts to attach it.

[tomking]

It wouldnt do any good attached to the central part of the body. Think about it.

[RallyBob]

Originally Posted by tomking It wouldnt do any good attached to the central part of the body. Think about it.

Actually this is the prefered way to build a watt's linkage. The central part is attached to the body, and the end links are attached to the axle, rather than vice-versa. The reason for this is the roll center stays more constant under body movement. With the center mount attached to the axle, the roll center moves all over the place (unless springs are ultra-stiff), and the handling can change (understeer to oversteer, etc).

BUT, doing such a setup is much harder to accomplish, and space-limited on most passenger cars thanks to things like gas tanks in the way! It's common on tube-chassis vehicles.

Bob

[davegt27]

Started to post this on the other thread

Just some interesting stuff some people might want to see

Saw a GT4 Honda CRX with a Mumford setup been trying to find out info about it since then

Finally found some info last week

http://www.fordcapri.co.nz/acrobat/A...suspension.pdf

Another watts link setup for a solid axel Toyota


Yahoo!¥ª¡¼¥¯¥·¥ç¥ó - ¨·è AE86 SS¥ï¡¼¥¯¥¹ ¥ï¥Ã¥È¥ê¥ó¥¯kit+¦Á ¥Õ¥ë¥»¥Ã¥È̤»ÈÍÑ¿·ÉÊ

And lastly for the racers out there

Yaw Power Products / Miata Race Suspension


Oh I forgot I think I posted this link before

Midget Front Suspension


Davegt27

[baz]

threads merged , no need for two when one will do

[2 Fast 4 U]

Does a Watts Linkage have any use/advantage on a street driven car??
If so how/what will the driving capabilitys/reactions change in normal street use??

[P.J. Romano]

Check this Watt professional linkage on German eBay:

Wattgestänge PU Opel GT Kadett B & C Olympia A CIH OHV! bei eBay.de: Oldtimer-Teile (endet 20.02.08 08:34:31 MEZ)

I am drooling but the price will probably sky-rocket out of my range.

[heimue]

Originally Posted by P.J. Romano Check this Watt professional linkage on German eBay: Wattgestänge PU Opel GT Kadett B & C Olympia A CIH OHV! bei eBay.de: Oldtimer-Teile (endet 20.02.08 08:34:31 MEZ) I am drooling but the price will probably sky-rocket out of my range.

They sell it for 499 Euro on their webpage KWIPO Rennsporttechnik für Youngtimer und Oldtimer Tuning. Never heard of them before. 499 Euro minus German sales tax plus shipping equals around 700...750 US$.
Make one yourself...

Dieter