I have a friend that uses these cv's on his railbuggy. Hes got a Caddy shortstar (V6 version of the Northstar) with about 270 hp. He was snapping axle shafts before these cv's would bust.

Bill

Hey Mike, I've been reading what your trying to do.  Sounds like quite a project.  I don't think you want to make both arms the same length.  You should go to a book store or maybe a college and get an alignment book.

I found some old general auto books that I have and here's a little of what I've found.

STEERING AXIS INCLINATION
Steering axis inclination is the inward tilt of the steering axis at the top(draw a line through the two ball joints and it's the angle you get if you extended it down to the ground to where the center of the tire line (camber) meets).  It also contributes to directional stability.  Because the steering axis is inclined, the spindle is forced to move in a downward ark as the wheel is turned.  This action causes the vehicle to rise as the wheel is turned in either direction, so the weight of the car forces the wheels back to the straight-ahead position.

SCRUB RADIUS
The importance of steering axis inclination to steering ease and stability center around the reduction of scrub radius.  Scrub radius is the distance between the center line of the ball joints and the centerline of the tire at he point where the tire contacts the road surface.  When the ball joint center line is inboard of the point of the tire contact, the tire doesn’t pivot where it touches the road.  Instead, it has to move forward and backward to compensate as the driver turns the steering wheel.  Steering effort is greatly increased as the tires scrub against the road during turns.   If the control arm assembly where designed with no steering axis inclination, scrub radius would be quite large.

And lastly, I believe the steering axis has a had in your turning radius.  (Where the inside tire turns at a greater radius/degree that you outer.


Eric

Hey Mike, I've been reading what your trying to do.  Sounds like quite a project.  I don't think you want to make both arms the same length.  You should go to a book store or maybe a college and get an alignment book.

I found some old general auto books that I have and here's a little of what I've found.

STEERING AXIS INCLINATION
Steering axis inclination is the inward tilt of the steering axis at the top(draw a line through the two ball joints and it's the angle you get if you extended it down to the ground to where the center of the tire line (camber) meets).  It also contributes to directional stability.  Because the steering axis is inclined, the spindle is forced to move in a downward ark as the wheel is turned.  This action causes the vehicle to rise as the wheel is turned in either direction, so the weight of the car forces the wheels back to the straight-ahead position.

SCRUB RADIUS
The importance of steering axis inclination to steering ease and stability center around the reduction of scrub radius.  Scrub radius is the distance between the center line of the ball joints and the centerline of the tire at he point where the tire contacts the road surface.  When the ball joint center line is inboard of the point of the tire contact, the tire doesn?t pivot where it touches the road.  Instead, it has to move forward and backward to compensate as the driver turns the steering wheel.  Steering effort is greatly increased as the tires scrub against the road during turns.   If the control arm assembly where designed with no steering axis inclination, scrub radius would be quite large.

And lastly, I believe the steering axis has a had in your turning radius.  (Where the inside tire turns at a greater radius/degree that you outer.


Eric

Thanks for the warning but I understand SAI and scrub very well as well as Camber, Caster, and toe. I am a suspension Mech for a living. I have been ASE certified for this for 16years. 

SAI and Scrub are not really that important to an off road machine. Technically putting 10 inch wide wheels with 3 1/2 inches of backspacing on it threw that # out the window! I will take it into consideration but Keeping the Camber from changing during occilation is far more important to me. My uppers will be about 3 inches shorter by design. Caster, Camber, and Steering Angle are #1 priority. I want this to drive down the road better than it does now as well as wheel better. Also a very high priority is durability. I want this to hold up to some hard driving. 

Mike

found a pic from this summer. This is why plans to build a prerunner/trailrider IFS.

Nice! I like the title of the pic....

wow  "bent" is right on the money
jason

There is a Myth that you cant become an RPM member untill your front tires look like that!

Mike


I have been inducted several times!

Hey Mike
'
     I think you can still get it..."How to make your car Handle" excellent book that goes into the
design and fabrication of suspension, including stuff like calculating the g loading and safety factors.

     Another that I have found very useful is "Prepare to win" by Carrol? Smith (Help CJ)

Both cover the "all you ever need to know" in easy to relate to terms with how to work things out.

Zag

     Another that I have found very useful is "Prepare to win" by Carrol? Smith (Help CJ)

 

Carroll Smith 

Just copy the Toyota aftermarket world or just buy some. You'll get the smooth ride, strength, and the  flex that you're wanting. I can't imagine you bending my arms with jumping. It woudl take ALOT to bend these things. Check out my lowers. Whatever you build, beef up the lower arms so it can take hits crawling or even dune bashing.

found a pic from this summer. This is why plans to build a prerunner/trailrider IFS.

Woah, and I thought the calmini lift give you positive camber 
This must be caused from this ?

There is a Myth that you cant become an RPM member untill your front tires look like that!

I've also had that problem several times.  That's why I'm thinking about making the step to a solid axle.

Quote from: Mikerpm4x4 on December 20, 2005, 08:01:06 PM

There is a Myth that you cant become an RPM member untill your front tires look like that!

I've also had that problem several times.  That's why I'm thinking about making the step to a solid axle.

Well thats not necessarily the cure. Every sami in out club has had that happen at least once. 5+feet of air on a sami axle will deem the same results. Ask sean at Aftermarket4X4! Ive seen a Dana 44 housing break in half at the pumpkin too.  I will see if I can find some more pics.

Mike

I got a front end that looks like that,
Can I be an honorary member

I knew you were a mechanic, just didn't know what area.  I will be looking forward to what you come up with.

Good Luck