Need 4 link help PLEASE!

[shadow88]

This is for my service manager's project car - a replica SHELY COBRA. Pretty cool eh? Well this car was started by someone who isn't with us anymore. And he never wrote any of his plans down.

This car squats strangly under acceleration and turns when accelerating or braking.


I've done a "google" search on setting up a 4 link rear suspension and found nothing useful. I'm asking the members of this board to search through thier old magazines and or text books to see how to properly set one of these suspension systems up properly.

I have access to a hunter 311 alignment machine at work, and need to know how to do this right. This car is nearly done but needs this sorted out before it can become enjoyable.

I figured I'd post here rather than in suspension. feel free to move it.
thanks in advance.

[JDAWG]

is it a parallel 4 link or a triangulated 4 link? Most likely a parallel on that car. Sounds like you need adjustment on your panhard bar. A tringulated doesnt have a panhard bar but has adjustments on the center triangulated links. Sounds like something isnt right with the panhard and pinion angle. Cant help much more without knowing what kind of suspension you have.

[Turbodave]

I figured I'd post here rather than in suspension. feel free to move it.
thanks in advance.

It think it fits in better here since it's not a turbo-mopar :thumb:

I wish I knew more about 4-link setups, but it sounds like the advice Jdawg gave makes sense. I know a fwd car with a broken panhard bar is scary to drive, I can only imagine when you've got power going to those wheels.

[shadow88]

It's traingulated. doesn not have a panhand bar/rod. Can check the pinion angle when I have a moment to myself ( HA , not likely)

The bottom links are the angled ones.

Do you use the straight ones to set pinion angle? What do you adjust with the other bars- Thrust angle? set back? Thanks for your feedback:)

[JDAWG]

a triangulated looks like this l/\l if you were looking straight down on it as if the car doesnt have a body on it. Usaully the outside bars adjust the distance of the axle front to rear and the ones like this /\ adjust your pinion angle. It should all be set with someone sitting in it too. The link setup on that car could be a little different too as I have never worked on a Shelby Cobra. Most of my 4 link experience has come from customs 4link installs.

[BadAssPerformance]

Pics of the 4-link (and car) would help (and be cool)

[86Shelby]

Check out www.baselinesuspensions.com He's a guy local to me and has done great things many people's 4 link and ladder bar suspension systems.

The F100 shown in the launching a drag car section is a friend's rig. He was very happy with Kevin's input.

[shadow88]

Thanks for the responses turbo dave, JDAWG, JT, and 86Shelby.

That link from 86 Shelby is a great source of information.:thumb:


http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j61/shadowt2/th_cobra7.jpg (http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j61/shadowt2/cobra7.jpg)
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j61/shadowt2/th_cobra6.jpg (http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j61/shadowt2/cobra6.jpg)
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j61/shadowt2/th_cobra5.jpg (http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j61/shadowt2/cobra5.jpg)
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j61/shadowt2/th_cobra4.jpg (http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j61/shadowt2/cobra4.jpg)
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j61/shadowt2/th_cobra3.jpg (http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j61/shadowt2/cobra3.jpg)
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j61/shadowt2/th_cobra2.jpg (http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j61/shadowt2/cobra2.jpg)


sorry, no pics of the underside. I'll get them soon enough. You've been a big help.

I'm surprised no one called me on my miss-spell of "shelBy" in the 1st post.

[BadAssPerformance]

*DROOL*

man, someone has to make a turbo mopar 4 cyl powered cobra!

[JDAWG]

DOPE car!

[86Shelby]

man, someone has to make a turbo mopar 4 cyl powered cobra!

When I get the money and time I will. If Ken and James don't beat me to it first!:)

[BadAssPerformance]

When I get the money and time I will. If Ken and James don't beat me to it first!:)

Sweet!

[shadow88]

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j61/shadowt2/th_aligningcobra.jpg (http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j61/shadowt2/aligningcobra.jpg)


The cobra made it to the rack tuesday night. All the pictures I took of the 4 link were terrible. The link from 86 shelby was a super big help.

Now for the fun part. This thing purely HAULS!!!!! The "pulling left under acceleration" is gone. Mostly due to a 1/4" difference in wheel base left to right. It does sway a little under heavy throttle and just after upshifts:eyebrows: buy once the thing hooks, it's pretty straight. I'm happy this car worked out and I'm very greatful for the links and suggestions submitted earlier.:D

[86Shelby]

Glad to help! Very good to hear that it's doing better.