|
|
 Posted 7/12/2005 5:04:41 PM |
|
|
Forum Newbie
Last Login: 3/7/2007 2:58:29 PM
Posts: 8,
Visits: 149
|
|
Hello all,
First off, I apologize...this is probably way too technical, but it is bugging me and I can't find an answer anywhere else on the internet.
Ok, I'm a long time lurker, first time poster. I love this site and message board. There is some really awesome stuff here! A little background, I've always been a fan of the '66 and '89 cars, but admit my recent interest in building a replica has piqued due to the new movie coming out. Like some of you, I didn't really like the "tumbler" design when I first saw it, but it has really grown on me after seeing it in the context of the movie. So much so that I am actually considering building a scaled down version...(golf cart size) for myself and my four year old to cruise around in. 
The one part that is really baffling me is the front suspension, or more specifically, the "steering" mechanism. Granted for the scale I'm thinking of working in, I can rig up a somewhat conventional tie rod setup, as accuracy isn't absolutely critical, but I'd really like to know how the "real car" does it and would rather duplicate that look, if possible.
I've analyzed all the pictures I can find of the front suspension. My best guess are some pretty beefy reversed mounted hubs/spindles, with "somewhat" vertically mounted tie rod end/steering arms connected to a multi-universal jointed track rod connecting the right and left wheels. Do the wheels steer like a conventional car or do they simply "tilt" as some of the pictures seem to indicate? It must have a terrible turning radius if that is the case! Does the "real car" even have front brakes? I don't see any conventional brake rotors in all the pictures I've seen, but some pictures look like there are stainless steel brake lines going to the hub. Does it use some kind of hub brake system??
I was hoping that any of the builders out there that have actually built their chasis could help shed some light on how they handled this, or point me in the direction of some more detailed drawings of the suspension. Thanks, and keep those build pictures coming! 
|
|
|
|
| Posted 7/12/2005 6:32:05 PM |
|
|
Has NO LIFE!!
Last Login: Today @ 6:08:11 PM
Posts: 4,767,
Visits: 17,258
|
|
The steering and brakes look like the front axle from a 4WD. Looks to me like they simply cut the axle tubes, reveresed the set-up, welded it to some square tubing and then figured out how to reconnect the steering. The up/down travel point is at the rear of the square tubing. That's what it looks like to me.
|
|
|
|
| Posted 7/12/2005 7:53:49 PM |
|
|
Resident CLTC
Last Login: 2 days ago @ 4:17:39 PM
Posts: 1,786,
Visits: 5,328
|
|
|
|
|
| Posted 7/13/2005 7:55:35 AM |
|
|
Has NO LIFE!!
Last Login: Today @ 6:08:11 PM
Posts: 4,767,
Visits: 17,258
|
|
|
|
|
| Posted 7/13/2005 8:46:32 AM |
|
|
Forum Newbie
Last Login: 3/7/2007 2:58:29 PM
Posts: 8,
Visits: 149
|
|
Thanks for the info guys. I hadn't considered using hydraulic actuators, but that would solve 2 of the issues I have concerns about. One, keeping the wheels in synch with each other while turning, and two, mounting a "mechanical" steering linkage on a "moving" suspension arm. Did you go with conventional disk brakes? Thanks again for the input.
Steve
|
|
|
|
| Posted 7/13/2005 10:06:42 AM |
|
|
Resident CLTC
Last Login: 2 days ago @ 4:17:39 PM
Posts: 1,786,
Visits: 5,328
|
|
A friend is building the car not me. He used conventional disk brakes on the front end. He had access to a real car and told me that there were two actuators on each arm. He said that there were no mechanical linkage on the trailing arms.
http://www.batmobile89.com/
|
|
|
|
| Posted 7/13/2005 11:01:08 AM |
|
|
Forum Newbie
Last Login: 3/7/2007 2:58:29 PM
Posts: 8,
Visits: 149
|
|
| Nodeman- thanks for clearing that up. For anyone interested, here is the most detailed picture I've found of the suspension. I know it probably isn't all that interesting to most of you, I was just really curious how this thing works.
|
|
|
|
| Posted 7/13/2005 11:03:53 AM |
|
|
Forum Newbie
Last Login: 3/7/2007 2:58:29 PM
Posts: 8,
Visits: 149
|
|
Oops, sorry here is the link to the image.
http://www.chickslovethecar.com/images/uploaded/713200511050TumplerSteeringDetail.JPG
Steve
|
|
|
|
| Posted 7/13/2005 7:21:12 PM |
|
|
Has NO LIFE!!
Last Login: Today @ 6:08:11 PM
Posts: 4,767,
Visits: 17,258
|
|
Here is the picture from batfan217.
Here are a few more close ups.
|
|
|
|
| Posted 7/13/2005 7:24:23 PM |
|
|
You reap what you sow
Last Login: Today @ 7:18:28 PM
Posts: 3,991,
Visits: 20,839
|
|
Wow I never seen those before.
Stop holding out on pics, Jack! 
 
|
|
|
|