Suspension 4 Link Track Locator Question

Hi guys, having a few problems with my Blown Hemi/Bruno Outlaw car launching.

The suspension was done, around 10 years ago, and was popular here (Australia) at the time to weld in an X type locator into the bottom 4 link bars.

I have heard that this may be my problem, but not sure? I was looking around a few websites, and trying to work out whether I should start here or somewhere else in the rear end?

Runs a Anti roll bar on top of the diff , but as the WELDED X doesn't really allow the bottom bars to move independently, Im not sure if this is creating the drama im having?

I was told to remove the X, leaving a normal type 4 Link arrangement then use a Wishbone type Locator?

I have looked on a few US Chassis sites and most suggest the X type, for Outlaw cars, or the the Generic Diaganol type locater, and state Wishbone type (ONLY) where the others can't be fitted?

Any Suggestions would be great as I am trying to get the car sorted, so I can GO HAVE SOME FUN, without it turning RIGHT most launches.

It also is a genuine AUSSIE car too, meaning I (driver) sits on the right, not the left I know this may be a problem, but I would like to keep it that way.

Heres a few links to the sites I was looking at, and could someone give me an IDEA what I should use? And the Pros and Cons of them?

Not sure if the BOLTED in X locator, would work differently, as MINE is actually the bars WELDED together, and the X is probably around 4inches, in from the front and the back, not pivoting from the Swiveling clevis, that would be on each 4 corners of this kit?

http://www.cachassisworks.com/c-86-track-locaters-x-style.aspx

And this is the Wishbone type I have been suggested I should go to?

http://www.cachassisworks.com/c-89-wishbone-locaters.aspx

Any help and suggestions would be great, car is Doored Outlaw, Hemi 451, 18% over, Brunoglide 1.60 1st gear, Rear end 4.11, 34.5inch Slick, 2950 Lbs race ready, launching from idle, Bracket racing, after LAZY 7.5 1/4 mile consistent ets...

Thanks in Advance

Chad

 

Wishbone

I would think that an X-type locator would put the rear into a bind when the suspension tried to travel. The only real travel the X would provide is in the rod ends. I have never seen one of the x's until you sent the link. Chris Alston is a pretty smart guy, there is probably more to that x locator but the pic is pretty small. Can't see him selling something that binds your suspension. I would just stick to the wishbone, pretty fool proof design.

I have the Chris Alston wishbone from your link, its fine but I have found it to be a little flimsy. I like the ones Tim Mcamis has, very strong looking, large tube diameter.

 

I have seen the "X" both welded and floating in some very fast cars, and it should not create the problem of going to the right ( if I understand the problem correctly). It should, in fact, add to the roll resistance similar to the anti roll device.
Question 1: Have you had the car on scales? Right rear should be slightly heavier than the left rear.(static with driver like race ready)
Question 2: Have you tried swapping tires side to side? A bad tire can cause this.
Question 3: Have you checked the shocks, either by sending them to someone with a shock dyno, or swaping them side to side to see if the problem follows them?

If the car is driving to the right it means that the left rear is doing more work. If all of the above things check good then I would suspect the rear end housing or chassis has lost some integrity (something cracked or broken).
I could be wrong about all that though.

Kendrick

 

Track Locator

Interesting about the x-locator, I can't find much info about them. Any idea where a person can get more info?

 

I would definitely take a rollout measurement the tires and make sure the shocks are in good working order. If you have access to a set of scales, that would be the best way to tell if something is wacky. Also take a look at your anti-roll bar, it should be in the neutral position on both sides. What about the top bars? Are they in the neutral position or are they bound up?

 

What I can tell you is chassis builders like MIller, Spitzer, Takash, Damron, and Racetech (whose E-names and addresses I do not know) all either use, or have used, some variation of this setup. The most popular one is the floater that allows the adjustment of the lower bars without removing the bolt from the hiem. It seems the big advantage to them (x-locators) is the increased sideways (lateral) stiffness and the added roll stiffness all from an educated track locator. At least that is what I gathered from talking to these guys about it. Since I only listen about half the time, I probably missed some important stuff though.

Kendrick