rx7locost wrote:
Interesting choice. I believe that this is the first DeDion rear setup that I have seen done here since I joined. It is not very popular for some reason. I considered it back when I was building but ended up going IRS because I thought it was simpler. and I wanted lower unsprung weight for a street car. I wonder why you decided not to go full IRS?
I can't remember any De-Dion project here also. A long time ago it was a pretty popular choice for locostbuilders.co.uk build logs.
Maybe this one of the reasons why I decide to go this way.
I already had the car with a live axle and car with IRS. I was surprised how live axle car could handle with proper attention to weight and setup.
Full IRS requires new JIG that cost some $$$ to build. so I decided that De-Dion with nature of live axle + lower unsprung weight and more adjustability is the way to go. Plus guys from Caterham are happy with a similar setup as well.
Lonnie-S wrote:
With respect to the orange bracket in your Solidworks model, what was the purpose of the two straps joining the two halves of the bracket? Was it just for positioning purposes?
I assume the backside (not visible to us) of the brackets are open and not connected directly.?
Cheers,
Right now the main purpose of the two straps is to remind me that I need to give more clear instructions to the fabricator.
The Idea behind this design was to use just one laser cut sheet metal part with just 2 bends for 2 arms bracket + Panhard bar bracket.
Attachment:
Rear brackets.JPG
This trick gives us a relatively low price and easy assembly. Shortcut using special suspension Jig for welding axle and all arms. I was not feeling fancy to pay for another one just for one single part.
Attachment:
Suspension Jig Shortcut.JPG
Bracket bend around tube + spacers + 2 plates for location gives us acceptable accuracy and assembly time. After brackets fully welded those straps could be removed. In theory.
But now I'm even like how they look on the axle.
Attachment:
Minijig1.JPG
Attachment:
minijig2.JPG
And after we played a little in cost-saving... We are building locost, right?
We cut al this crazy amounts of $$$ for Jigs and sheet metal part we can afford to buy some fancy carbon parts!
Attachment:
Tunel cover buck.JPG
Attachment:
1.jpg
Attachment:
2.jpg
Attachment:
3.jpg
Attachment:
4.jpg