Locating the airbags on the lower arms ok ??? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

ACII · 05-30-2010, 10:41 AM

Hello together....

sofar i want to install my airbags on the lower arms of my triangulated 4link suspension....as you can see on the pics...

I took this decision to get enough space for the exhaust to go above the rear axle to the rolling pan...

I saw this type of construction many times in the internet...but i am not sure about the big pressure on the lower arms and the rod ends, if they can handle it...

Furthermore what do you think about the ride quality with the bags on the lower arms infront of the rear axle ??

Hope to get some final advices to finish the rear axle project :- )

Thanks a lot

Achim from Germany

ACII · 05-31-2010, 12:13 PM

nobody an idea ???

THx

Quote:

Originally Posted by ACII

Hello together....

sofar i want to install my airbags on the lower arms of my triangulated 4link suspension....as you can see on the pics...

I took this decision to get enough space for the exhaust to go above the rear axle to the rolling pan...

I saw this type of construction many times in the internet...but i am not sure about the big pressure on the lower arms and the rod ends, if they can handle it...

Furthermore what do you think about the ride quality with the bags on the lower arms infront of the rear axle ??

Hope to get some final advices to finish the rear axle project :- )

Thanks a lot

Achim from Germany

tcb-1 · 05-31-2010, 01:03 PM

Achim,
I recommend setting the air bag as close to the axle as possible. in the configuration you have shown, your creating a torque moment that will cause stress on the bottom four link trailing arm and the ride will be harsh.

I don't know if I've ever seen that many air ride/four link suspensions set ups where the bag is mounted directly to the lower link.

we should let some others chime in here that has four link experience.

!Guten Tag!

kunzy420 · 05-31-2010, 01:40 PM

There is nothing wrong with mounting the bag to the lower bar. A lot of people suggest that, ride quality is better with the bag on bar as opposed to the bag over the axle.

How thick are the bottom bars?

ACII · 05-31-2010, 02:07 PM

thanks for ur response.....

the size of the bottom bars are.... 1 3/4 inches .....furthermore i want to inforce the bottom bars with some gussets

So do you think this will be strong enough ???

THx Achim

Quote:

Originally Posted by kunzy420

There is nothing wrong with mounting the bag to the lower bar. A lot of people suggest that, ride quality is better with the bag on bar as opposed to the bag over the axle.

How thick are the bottom bars?

kunzy420 · 05-31-2010, 02:14 PM

1 3/4" od is good for the bars, do you know the inside thickness of the bars?

Where did you plan on adding gussets?

ACII · 05-31-2010, 02:24 PM

the thickness is 3mm

i want to inforce the bars for example like this:

http://www.google.de/imgres?imgurl=h...26tbs%3Disch:1

i am not sure if i should install the bags directly in the middle of the bottom bars or if the location on the pic should be fine ??

thx

Quote:

Originally Posted by kunzy420

1 3/4" od is good for the bars, do you know the inside thickness of the bars?

Where did you plan on adding gussets?

ACII · 05-31-2010, 03:26 PM

another question .....i have installed rod ends on the bottom bars...

I guess that will not work with the bags on the bars....cuz the bag will twist the bar ......or do you think if the bag is installed in the middle of the bar, it will not twist ??

Thanks
Achim

dv8customs · 05-31-2010, 11:29 PM

Those gussets you posted would be great for your set up. The bag location looks to be okay as well. With as long as your bars are though you could probably move them a bit more towards the center and get a little better ride. I would recommend swapping the heim joints on the lower rods to bushings like you have on the uppers. If your bars are the same size just swap the ends on your lowers to your uppers.

ACII · 06-01-2010, 12:30 PM

Ok ... i will put the bags on the center of the bottom bars..

Do you think it is enough to swap just one side of the bottom bars to bushings ?? cuz the bottom bars are not square to the rear axle.... !!!

Thanks for ur support

Achim

Quote:

Originally Posted by dv8customs

Those gussets you posted would be great for your set up. The bag location looks to be okay as well. With as long as your bars are though you could probably move them a bit more towards the center and get a little better ride. I would recommend swapping the heim joints on the lower rods to bushings like you have on the uppers. If your bars are the same size just swap the ends on your lowers to your uppers.

ACII · 06-02-2010, 11:26 AM

i hope to get soon one more advice about the bushings on just one side of the bottom bars... see my last question above

So i could immediatly start with the final steps

Thx
Achim

Quote:

Originally Posted by ACII

Ok ... i will put the bags on the center of the bottom bars..

Do you think it is enough to swap just one side of the bottom bars to bushings ?? cuz the bottom bars are not square to the rear axle.... !!!

Thanks for ur support

Achim

dv8customs · 06-02-2010, 12:42 PM

It would twist less but I still don't think it would be ideal.

draggin86 · 06-02-2010, 12:48 PM

make sure the bag is exactly centered on the bar.. i have used 1 3/4" .120 wall with bags on the bar with no issues at all. as far as location i would say that is a little far forward.. you have to think of it as a lever the further away from the axle you get the more the lift you will get but the more pressure it will take to get there. 1/3-1/2 of the way from the axle on the bar should yield a good ride along with keeping a good suspension travel

05-30-2010, 10:41 AM	#1
ACII Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Germany Posts: 301	Locating the airbags on the lower arms ok ??? Hello together.... sofar i want to install my airbags on the lower arms of my triangulated 4link suspension....as you can see on the pics... I took this decision to get enough space for the exhaust to go above the rear axle to the rolling pan... I saw this type of construction many times in the internet...but i am not sure about the big pressure on the lower arms and the rod ends, if they can handle it... Furthermore what do you think about the ride quality with the bags on the lower arms infront of the rear axle ?? Hope to get some final advices to finish the rear axle project :- ) Thanks a lot Achim from Germany Attached Images Last edited by ACII; 05-30-2010 at 10:45 AM.

05-31-2010, 01:03 PM	#3
tcb-1 Nothing to see here..... Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Shawnee, KS Posts: 4,625	Re: Locating the airbags on the lower arms ok ??? Achim, I recommend setting the air bag as close to the axle as possible. in the configuration you have shown, your creating a torque moment that will cause stress on the bottom four link trailing arm and the ride will be harsh. I don't know if I've ever seen that many air ride/four link suspensions set ups where the bag is mounted directly to the lower link. we should let some others chime in here that has four link experience. !Guten Tag! __________________ Doug THANK YOU to our American Soldiers & Veterans - POW MIA "You will NEVER be forgotten". The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not. Thomas Jefferson

05-31-2010, 01:40 PM	#4
kunzy420 Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Eastlake,Ohio Posts: 26	Re: Locating the airbags on the lower arms ok ??? There is nothing wrong with mounting the bag to the lower bar. A lot of people suggest that, ride quality is better with the bag on bar as opposed to the bag over the axle. How thick are the bottom bars?

05-31-2010, 02:14 PM	#6
kunzy420 Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Eastlake,Ohio Posts: 26	Re: Locating the airbags on the lower arms ok ??? 1 3/4" od is good for the bars, do you know the inside thickness of the bars? Where did you plan on adding gussets?

05-31-2010, 03:26 PM	#8
ACII Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Germany Posts: 301	Re: Locating the airbags on the lower arms ok ??? another question .....i have installed rod ends on the bottom bars... I guess that will not work with the bags on the bars....cuz the bag will twist the bar ......or do you think if the bag is installed in the middle of the bar, it will not twist ?? Thanks Achim

05-31-2010, 11:29 PM	#9
dv8customs Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: East Texas Posts: 1,047	Re: Locating the airbags on the lower arms ok ??? Those gussets you posted would be great for your set up. The bag location looks to be okay as well. With as long as your bars are though you could probably move them a bit more towards the center and get a little better ride. I would recommend swapping the heim joints on the lower rods to bushings like you have on the uppers. If your bars are the same size just swap the ends on your lowers to your uppers.

06-02-2010, 12:42 PM	#12
dv8customs Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: East Texas Posts: 1,047	Re: Locating the airbags on the lower arms ok ??? It would twist less but I still don't think it would be ideal.

06-02-2010, 12:48 PM	#13
draggin86 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Folsom, Ca Posts: 573	Re: Locating the airbags on the lower arms ok ??? make sure the bag is exactly centered on the bar.. i have used 1 3/4" .120 wall with bags on the bar with no issues at all. as far as location i would say that is a little far forward.. you have to think of it as a lever the further away from the axle you get the more the lift you will get but the more pressure it will take to get there. 1/3-1/2 of the way from the axle on the bar should yield a good ride along with keeping a good suspension travel



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