1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

Strut rod conversion

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 10-22-10, 11:11 AM
  #26  
Full Member

 
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Newark, NY, USA
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by cyipher
I havent road tested yet, but the rod ends are a teflon lined so they shouldnt rattle too badly. The car needs to be re-aligned before i go blasting down the street.
I'm not thinking of anything rattling, i'm thinking this is now a harder link from the road to the frame - thus allowing more road vibration to enter into the cabin.

You do know if you've gone this far on the project, you can align the car yourself too - all the specs are in the manual.

Last edited by djs2571; 10-22-10 at 11:12 AM. Reason: mis-spelling
Old 10-22-10, 12:57 PM
  #27  
Senior Member

 
Whisper's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 622
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by 82transam
Correct, I was referring to the added resistance or "spring" (I'm sure there is a better term than what i'm using) that is added by using bushings on the stock tension rods. Getting rid of those bushings allows you adjust the spring rate using just the springs. This might be most beneficial for the guys who race and want to really fine tune their setup...
Although I'm sure I've just opened myself up to a huge argument about theoretical numbers etc
Well, as long as the amount of resistance added by the bushing is constant, you can establish a baseline.
Old 10-22-10, 01:27 PM
  #28  
79 w 13B4port

iTrader: (5)
 
rwatson5651's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Alabama
Posts: 1,905
Received 52 Likes on 29 Posts
Originally Posted by 82transam
Correct, I was referring to the added resistance or "spring" (I'm sure there is a better term than what i'm using) that is added by using bushings on the stock tension rods. Getting rid of those bushings allows you adjust the spring rate using just the springs. This might be most beneficial for the guys who race and want to really fine tune their setup...
Although I'm sure I've just opened myself up to a huge argument about theoretical numbers etc
Since the lower control arm gets twisted slightly as it swings through the arc of the strut rod the stiffness of the lower control arm bushing also contributes to the spring rate. (There were some designs of this type in the 60's that had a pivot in the strut rod at the lower control arm that prevented this).
Old 10-22-10, 05:54 PM
  #29  
1st-Class Engine Janitor

iTrader: (15)
 
DivinDriver's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Chino Hills, CA
Posts: 8,376
Received 26 Likes on 24 Posts
Wonder why they didn't use a ball-and-socket joint for the front of the strut rod; would eliminate that tendency to pull rearward, and allow for freer movement.

Answer is probably either "noise" or "expense".
Old 10-23-10, 12:04 PM
  #30  
Moderator

iTrader: (3)
 
j9fd3s's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: https://www2.mazda.com/en/100th/
Posts: 30,835
Received 2,604 Likes on 1,847 Posts
Originally Posted by Whisper
Ok, that makes more sense. Althought I feel like even the A-arm style would still want to rotate back a bit, rather than just purely slide, and if bushings are soft enough they'd allow the rotation to occur. It just wouldn't be as drastic as I-arm. Perhaps A-arm bushings have a metal rib inside to keep the rubber from compressing from side to side.
the next page shows how the bushings are constructed to allow sliding, but resist rotation.

i'm sure there is some twist, but they are trying to show its got more precise geometry with the A arm style
Old 10-23-10, 12:13 PM
  #31  
Moderator

iTrader: (3)
 
j9fd3s's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: https://www2.mazda.com/en/100th/
Posts: 30,835
Received 2,604 Likes on 1,847 Posts
Originally Posted by 82transam
Correct, I was referring to the added resistance or "spring" (I'm sure there is a better term than what i'm using) that is added by using bushings on the stock tension rods. Getting rid of those bushings allows you adjust the spring rate using just the springs. This might be most beneficial for the guys who race and want to really fine tune their setup...
Although I'm sure I've just opened myself up to a huge argument about theoretical numbers etc
yeah sorta. ideally there is no friction in the suspensions movement, and ALL of the wheels movement is handled by the spring and damper, but in real life yes the rubber bushings do act like little springs, although its a pretty small effect. i think.

its why we tighten the suspension with the car loaded and on the ground.

the rubber is nice though as it does allow a multi axis pivot, like the front control arm, it actually has to move slightly forward and backwards as it goes up and down, because the tension rod is in an arc too.

a poly bushing either has to be too loose or bind to do that, although the front to back movement is pretty small, so its again not a problem
Old 10-23-10, 12:15 PM
  #32  
Moderator

iTrader: (3)
 
j9fd3s's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: https://www2.mazda.com/en/100th/
Posts: 30,835
Received 2,604 Likes on 1,847 Posts
Originally Posted by DivinDriver
Wonder why they didn't use a ball-and-socket joint for the front of the strut rod; would eliminate that tendency to pull rearward, and allow for freer movement.

Answer is probably either "noise" or "expense".
probably both? the MPV has something like this too, its just bigger, BIG bushings
Old 10-23-10, 01:17 PM
  #33  
Full Member

Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
cyipher's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Sparks, NV
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I added a nut to make adjustment easier

Old 10-23-10, 06:41 PM
  #34  
The Shadetree Project

iTrader: (40)
 
Hyper4mance2k's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: District of Columbia
Posts: 7,301
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
I'll take two please!
Old 10-23-10, 07:12 PM
  #35  
Never Follow

iTrader: (18)
 
82transam's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: North Jersey
Posts: 8,307
Likes: 0
Received 68 Likes on 50 Posts
Originally Posted by j9fd3s
yeah sorta. ideally there is no friction in the suspensions movement, and ALL of the wheels movement is handled by the spring and damper, but in real life yes the rubber bushings do act like little springs, although its a pretty small effect. i think.

its why we tighten the suspension with the car loaded and on the ground.

the rubber is nice though as it does allow a multi axis pivot, like the front control arm, it actually has to move slightly forward and backwards as it goes up and down, because the tension rod is in an arc too.

a poly bushing either has to be too loose or bind to do that, although the front to back movement is pretty small, so its again not a problem
Agreed, its not a huge effect but it is there. If you've ever tried changing struts and springs with the tension rods still attached to the control arms you'll know that you have to pry them downward to get it all together. Thats really what made me say anything in the first place, seems like they are pretty stiff... Anyway, to the original poster again nice job! Looking really good!
Old 10-24-10, 03:57 PM
  #36  
Full Member

Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
cyipher's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Sparks, NV
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Well Turns out theres an app for everything. its called ialign its 2.99 on itunes and it saves you buying a 100 dollar caster camber gauge. I got the car all in spec and now time for a test drive...





ERRRRRRR.... Correction, Its raining we'll skip the test drive.
Old 10-24-10, 04:41 PM
  #37  
Full Member
iTrader: (2)
 
MeCalledEvan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Columbus, OH
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by cyipher
Well Turns out theres an app for everything. its called ialign its 2.99 on itunes and it saves you buying a 100 dollar caster camber gauge. I got the car all in spec and now time for a test drive...





ERRRRRRR.... Correction, Its raining we'll skip the test drive.


Hahahaha jeeze Apple does it all!
Old 10-24-10, 08:00 PM
  #38  
Moderator

iTrader: (2)
 
rxtasy3's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Spartanburg, SC
Posts: 9,320
Likes: 0
Received 257 Likes on 238 Posts
cool app. how does it work? u mount ur iphone to the wheel?
Old 10-24-10, 08:35 PM
  #39  
Full Member

Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
cyipher's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Sparks, NV
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by rxtasy3
cool app. how does it work? u mount ur iphone to the wheel?
You calibrate the app to the floor, turn the wheels 20 degrees out and measure from a flat spot on the rim, then turn the wheel back the other direction so the rims 20 degrees in and take a measurement from the same flat spot on the rim and the program does the rest. I ended up with 5.2 degrees of caster and whatever factory camber is, I didn't bother to check it since I can't adjust it.
Old 10-25-10, 10:26 AM
  #40  
1st-Class Engine Janitor

iTrader: (15)
 
DivinDriver's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Chino Hills, CA
Posts: 8,376
Received 26 Likes on 24 Posts
Originally Posted by cyipher
I ended up with 5.2 degrees of caster and whatever factory camber is, I didn't bother to check it since I can't adjust it.
Rotating the top strut mount plate inside the tower gives you four different pre-set combinations of caster and camber...
Old 10-25-10, 11:00 AM
  #41  
Full Member

 
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Newark, NY, USA
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
That's one damn accurate tilt sensor in the phone to get an accurate reading....
What happened to buying a level, tape measure, and doing some trig? that's what I did for mine. Anyhow, good luck on the test drive.
Old 10-25-10, 12:15 PM
  #42  
Full Member

Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
cyipher's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Sparks, NV
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by DivinDriver
Rotating the top strut mount plate inside the tower gives you four different pre-set combinations of caster and camber...

Do you know what rotation equals what camber/caster setting?

Also how close do the caster settings need to be from side to side? I'm within .2 degress from one side to another and dont know how close it needs to be.
Old 10-25-10, 03:28 PM
  #43  
1st-Class Engine Janitor

iTrader: (15)
 
DivinDriver's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Chino Hills, CA
Posts: 8,376
Received 26 Likes on 24 Posts
It's in the FSM, & I don't know if it's the same for FB's as for SA's. On SA's, it's as below:



28 minutes of arc = 28/60 = 0.46 degrees.

Oh, and the tolerance between sides: Specs from the SA FSM are:

Camber: 1*10' +/- 30'
Caster, right: 4*30' +/- 30'
Caster, left: 4*00' +/- 30'

Side-to-side consistency is not spec'ed.
Old 10-25-10, 03:29 PM
  #44  
Full Member

Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
cyipher's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Sparks, NV
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I know ive seen it on here, but it was a sheet of alignment numbers hand written, but i cant find it for the life of me. anyone know what im talking about or am i misremembering?
Old 10-25-10, 03:30 PM
  #45  
Full Member

Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
cyipher's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Sparks, NV
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by DivinDriver
It's in the FSM, & I don't know if it's the same for FB's as for SA's. On SA's, it's as below:



28 minutes of arc = 28/60 = 0.46 degrees.
I know that it's positive caster, but is that postive camber or negitive camber?
Old 10-25-10, 03:35 PM
  #46  
1st-Class Engine Janitor

iTrader: (15)
 
DivinDriver's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Chino Hills, CA
Posts: 8,376
Received 26 Likes on 24 Posts
Numbers look to be positive or zero, but it's talking relative to spec. (see edited post)
Old 10-25-10, 03:44 PM
  #47  
Full Member

Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
cyipher's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Sparks, NV
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Well if its spec'ing as Caster, right: 4*30' +/- 30' / Caster, left: 4*00' +/- 30' I would say its a .5 of a degree.
Old 10-25-10, 05:06 PM
  #48  
Senior Member

iTrader: (6)
 
Keith13b's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Orlando, FL
Posts: 565
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by cyipher
I know ive seen it on here, but it was a sheet of alignment numbers hand written, but i cant find it for the life of me. anyone know what im talking about or am i misremembering?
I have saved something that sounds similar. PM me your e-mail and I'll shoot it your way.
Old 10-25-10, 05:14 PM
  #49  
Full Member

Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
cyipher's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Sparks, NV
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Keith13b
I have saved something that sounds similar. PM me your e-mail and I'll shoot it your way.
cyipher@yahoo.com
Old 10-25-10, 05:31 PM
  #50  
1st-Class Engine Janitor

iTrader: (15)
 
DivinDriver's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Chino Hills, CA
Posts: 8,376
Received 26 Likes on 24 Posts
Originally Posted by cyipher
Well if its spec'ing as Caster, right: 4*30' +/- 30' / Caster, left: 4*00' +/- 30' I would say its a .5 of a degree.
Based on the caster numbers, the actual tolerance is 1 degree (+30' one side, -30' on the other = still in tolerance) with an intentional bias of 30' positive on the right side.

Camber's a flat max differential of 1 degree, the way I read it.


Quick Reply: Strut rod conversion



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:26 PM.