Springer Suspensons

[bugeyed_99]

Not sure what forum to put this in so here it is. A guy and I were discussing suspension setups for my springer project and we couldn't figure out why the suspensions are at a cant. what is the reasoning behind the cant you guys put in your suspension on your springers? Why not just have a straight suspension? And what are the pros of the cant and amount of cant?
Sorry for the poor spelling in the title

[George]

If I understand your question, reasons for having the arms hanging downward from the body to the tires benefit both the amount of travel they have and provide increased ground clearance. The kit that Whipper builds also has the whole assembly tilted in such a manner that the arms swing upward and slightly toward the rear of the vehicle when in motion. This angle helps defeat the forces of hitting a bump or object at higher forward speeds.

[bugeyed_99]

Does it "defeat the forces" in such a way that a-arms that were designed straight up and down with no angle wouldn't work, or wouldn't work as efficiently? Or is it a mere confort of ride thing?

[George]

I'm not certain but I believe most independent suspensions take advantage of these characteristics....I'd imagine there's a good reason for that. If you use CV joints (not u-joints), there's nothing lost by being up higher.