Suspension System, Lateral Link
Function of Linkage: How Lowering the Car Improves Cornering Precision
Dec
Linkages are crucial components in a vehicle's suspension system, including upper and lower control arms, camber adjusters, sway bars, rear upper links, and more. Each linkage has its specific role, but they all share the common goal of enhancing driving stability and steering response.
A linkage is the hollow tube connecting component of the control arm. It typically serves as a fixed bridge between the chassis and the wheels, with one end attached to the vehicle body and the other to the steering system or knuckle. This setup keeps the wheels upright and centered during driving. While linkages are usually found in the rear of the vehicle, they can also be used in the front.
Function and Principle of Linkage
The swinging motion of the linkage absorbs and cushions the impact forces from the road, allowing the tires and shock absorbers to perform better. It also strengthens the rigidity and durability of the suspension system, preventing the structure from bearing excessive weight during cornering, which could otherwise lead to deformation and significant temporary misalignment of the wheels. Over time, this could affect the vehicle's handling.
More specifically, the design of the linkage varies in shape, length, and swing direction depending on its location and function (for instance, in a 3D space, a wrench rotates in only one direction, representing a single degree of freedom).
The linkage has bushings or joints at both ends that allow for free rotation and up-and-down movement even when bolted in place. This flexibility helps control the camber or other alignment angles within a limited range, ensuring the vehicle remains controllable. When encountering potholes, the linkage transmits impact forces without making the ride too stiff or bouncy, preventing passenger discomfort and increasing the tire's lateral grip during cornering. This contributes to maintaining stable handling and ride comfort.
Purpose of Modifying Linkages After Lowering the Car
圖 / 仰束角調整器
After many car owners install adjustable coilovers, lowering the ride height and changing the suspension geometry can increase the camber angle, making the car look like it's crouching low to the ground. This can lead to uneven tire wear. The camber kit can correct the camber and toe angles to reduce uneven tire wear and improve cornering precision by adjusting with the suspension movement.
Additionally, some linkages are designed specifically to connect the anti-roll bar and the shock absorbers or lower control arms. For instance, an adjustable sway bar link is designed to adjust the position of the sway bar and uses ball joints (also known as "sway bar end links") to increase the degree of freedom. This setup directly transfers the forces caused by body roll or steering, enhancing stability in corners.
CARICO
If one or more of your side linkages are broken, for safety reasons, be sure to replace them and consult with a professional technician or mechanic.
Carico's linkages use various technologies to enhance strength and durability, extend their lifespan, and improve installation ease. Carico's chassis parts are now available for online shopping. If you can't find the model or style that suits your needs, feel free to contact Carico's customer service.
The content of this article is for reference only. If you have any questions regarding the topics covered in this article, please consult a professional technician or mechanic. Our company assumes no responsibility for any loss resulting from reliance on the content of this article.