Air Suspension Design Book, Volume 1:
Rear, Link-Type suspension
Because the air suspension industry is commonly forced to eliminate whatever factory rear suspension their vehicle came equipped with, the need for a custom rear suspension is very common. The problem with this is that there is almost no definitive information regarding the best way to design a suspension for everyday use. Most suspension design books cater to a particular segment of the racing industry, which may seem useful on the surface, but can cause issues on a suspension that can be driven at potentially any height.
This book talks about how to design a neutral suspension that can be driven 1″ off of the ground or at almost full-lift while maintaining the driving confidence that your vehicle was designed with.
Here is a basic overview of the major subjects covered in the book:
Glossary – definition of common terms used in the book
Suspension Dynamic – how the suspension reacts to the road and the vehicle
Instant Center – what it is, how it works, and why it matters
Joints – types of joints and the difference between them
Bag Theory – basic concept of size vs. pressure and the differences between manufacturers
Shock Theory – basic concept of how they work, how to choose them, and ways to install them
Link Designs – different types of link systems and differences between them
Lateral Limiters – the popular systems and the proper way to set them up
Bad Habits – common bad habits and how to avoid them
Designing a Suspension – an overview of how to approach a frame/suspension design
Sample Suspensions – several examples of suspensions that have been designed to work around a particular issue.