3rd link offset??

[Norm Peterson]

Perhaps fortunately, the "penalty" for offsetting the upper link under braking is less severe than the benefit under acceleration. The effect is based on the amount of longitudinal force that can be developed at the rear wheels, which is going to be at least 55% of vehicle weight during acceleration but only 25% or so under braking. As the tires get grippier, the 55% acceleration term potentially goes up (assuming sufficient power is available) and the 25% braking term would need to go down to avoid overbraking the rear.

With respect to compliance steer effects during either acceleration or braking, I think offsetting the upper link would call for relatively more rigid lower link bushings or (preferably) rod ends.

There is no requirement for an offset upper to cancel 100% of the acceleration torque reaction . . .


Norm