Offsetting a control arm mount

[DRJDVM's '69]

I'm currently installing an AirRide suspension (basically a traingulated 4 link) in my 70 Barracuda and am trying to gain as much tire clearence as possible in the back. One of the ideas I have discussed with some of the guys at AirRide is to offset the front mount of the lower control arms. I've moved the bracket inboard as much as possible already.

Basically the mount is a tubular control arm with circular mounts at both ends. The standard "T" configuration

So would there be any issues with having the front part of the control arm be offset ??

In other words have the end of the control arm be close to an "L" rather than a "T".....

Like I said, its a triangulated 4 link, so the lower mounts shouldnt see much lateral force, but I was wondering if the offset would result in more leverage and result in binding.

[Norm Peterson]

Strengthwise, I don't see the positioning of the arms on the ends making much difference to anything other than stresses in the ends themselves and at the welds, and the ends are not long enough for bending loads to get that large unless the bushing material is without any "give" whatsoever. This is a local effect.



The amount of chassis roll and bushing stiffness (in conjunction with the closed-section arm tubing) already define how much torsion and lateral bending will be generated. The small change in weld location(s) won't change that enough to notice.

As far as 'bind' vs suspension stiffness/function is concerned, it's no different from the usual triangulated 4-link. In order of increasing 'bind' for off-the-shelf bushing availability,

OE rubber
1LE or similar upgrade 'harder' rubber
out-of-the-box poly (this is a somewhat larger step)


Norm