5 replies to this topic

[Dynojet]

Hello

I have this doubt for a long time:

I've read once that mercedes-benz updated the swing-axle suspension of the 300SL in the with a low pivot system.

Today, some guy explained me the function of the camber compensator in VW beetles swing axle. Is these sytems analog? Below is a pic of the bug camber compensator.



Does anyone have a picture of the mercedes low-pivot suspension?

Does any recent car uses a similar sytem, like 'Z-bars'?


Thanks

[Greg Locock]

I don't know about the rest, but so far as I know Z bars were anti anti roll bars, or pro-roll bars. I haven't seen them used on a production car for a long time.

[Chevy II Nova]

I know that the Corvair used them in the 50's. You could probably find a picture fairly easily due to the controversy surrounding the car's suspension.

[WPT]

Both the W-196 GP car and the 300SLR sport racing car used low pivot swing arm design in the rear suspension. The pivot point (same pivot point for both left and right swing arms) was below the differential case. This design necessated that the drive axles be varible in length. This design gave low roll center reducing jacking effect and reduced chamber change with wheel movement because the swing arm s are longer than the axles. Z-bars give increased spring rate over bumps while at the same time giving very low roll resistance in cornering. WPT

[WPT]

The 300 SL used a swing arm rear suspension that was different from the two racing cars (see above). Imagine a solid axle with the diff displaced off the center line. Now place the pivot point on the center line, of course there had to be a joint for the axle there. The compensator spring (coil spring in the MB design) was introduced to reduce the oversteering tendencies in the 300 SL. Think of a verticle arm attached to each axle half near the joint with the comp spring placed inbetween. This functioned just like a 'Z' bar, adding to the bump rate, but having little or no effect in roll. WPT

[Ray Bell]

Again, however, the pivot point was below the axle centreline...

Just to clarify.

This rear suspension continued in M-B sedans for another fifteen years or so.