4-link bind

[JRouche]

Matt didn't mention it, and it looks like you won't be doing it, but I want to comment on your thoughts about converting it to a 3link.

About 15 years ago, Steve Magnante and I were working on what was to be the basis for a "Hot Rod" article. We had a racer who was willing to be the "guinea pig" and I was to provide the setup information. The plan was to remove one link from a 4link and then adjust to provide equal rear tire loading on launch. Our collaborator got his car together and did some driving on the street. I don't think he had more than half a dozen hard launches before there was a failure. Fortunately, no one was hurt and there was a minimum of body work damage.

As an engineer, I blame myself for the problem. If I had done a stress analysis, I would have realized that the failure was unavoidable. I don't know who manufactured the 4link and I'm not saying that your AME 4link would fail, but...as common sense (which I seem to lack) would dictate...when you remove 25% of the links, it's pretty obvious that the remaining links are called upon to do a little extra work.

In short, a 3link should be either purchased or fabbed from scratch, paying little or no attention to the tubing diameter or wall thickness used in the 4link kits.
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All great info.. If I were to "convert" this 4-link to 3-link I would keep the lower arms and make a top third link, using the same axle brackets, they are stout.

The removing of one upper link from a 4 link does not make 3 link Im pretty sure of that. I am not an engineer so I tend to "over build". And it being a street car the extra weight I would unnecessary have is ok. My third link would look more at home in a rock crushing truck LOL An example would be my watts link I just made.

But I am pretty good at copying proven systems and would go that route with some extra spice added

But as it is now the 4 link stays. Unless I see the arms unscrewing the rod ends due to bind it will be ok. I really need to stop building and finally drive this pig.

Thanks for the info, Im a sponge for knowledge and know when to listen to my betters, yup ya darn engineers JR