[DeTomaso] Suspension Angles

[Mike Thomas]

I’ve picked up a set of DQ’s adjustable upper rear A-arms, and am getting
ready to install them.  When I fitted the car with the new Koni CO’s this
summer, I dropped the car to the height I was looking for, knowing that my
rear camber would be quite a bit off.  What I need to figure out is how much
extension I need to add to the A arm to get to the correct camber with half
a tank in the car.

 

My lower A-arms are virtually level to the ground, I’ve dropped the car
about ½” from where it was.  I couldn’t lower it any more before as the
alignment shop had to remove all shims from the lower A-am to frame
connection except what was needed for rear toe.

 

I’m assuming that if I know the angle at which the uppers are with the
lowers level, I could calculate how much to extend the A arm, which is at x
degrees above the horizontal plane, to push the top of the rear tire out Y
inches to achieve approximately the right camber.  Then when I take the
stock A arms off the car, measure center of the buss at the frame to the
center of the shaft that connects to the upright, I’ll know how much to
increase that dimension to get close enough to the desired camber that the
alignment shop can fix the rest with shims at the lower A arm-to-frame
mounting points, including for proper toe.

 

I’ve seen the diagrams of Dallara’s suspension design, but does someone have
that angle, or some other advice on how to set this up?

 

Thanks, Mike Thomas

-------------- next part --------------
   I've picked up a set of DQ's adjustable upper rear A-arms, and am
   getting ready to install them.  When I fitted the car with the new Koni
   CO's this summer, I dropped the car to the height I was looking for,
   knowing that my rear camber would be quite a bit off.  What I need to
   figure out is how much extension I need to add to the A arm to get to
   the correct camber with half a tank in the car.


   My lower A-arms are virtually level to the ground, I've dropped the car
   about 1/2" from where it was.  I couldn't lower it any more before as
   the alignment shop had to remove all shims from the lower A-am to frame
   connection except what was needed for rear toe.


   I'm assuming that if I know the angle at which the uppers are with the
   lowers level, I could calculate how much to extend the A arm, which is
   at x degrees above the horizontal plane, to push the top of the rear
   tire out Y inches to achieve approximately the right camber.  Then when
   I take the stock A arms off the car, measure center of the buss at the
   frame to the center of the shaft that connects to the upright, I'll
   know how much to increase that dimension to get close enough to the
   desired camber that the alignment shop can fix the rest with shims at
   the lower A arm-to-frame mounting points, including for proper toe.


   I've seen the diagrams of Dallara's suspension design, but does someone
   have that angle, or some other advice on how to set this up?


   Thanks, Mike Thomas