PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum - View Single Post - Suspension setups for racing/rally, early Mercedes

pedrocamp · #12 01-28-2025, 08:51 AM

I agree Frank that the later rear suspension design is an improvement over the low pivot swing but I wanted to put a year limit on what I could do otherwise the skies the limit, more likely my pocketbook and credit limits. I suppose I also welcome the challenge of making it work and learning what the engineers and mechanics did. 1972 seemed like a reasonable limit since it encompasses the early Mercedes approach to chassis design.

I am sharing a bit of a DM about a relevant discussion.

Found a description of why the spring suspension cars have the center spring that seems plausible:

By 1957, Daimler-Benz had begun to switch to the Eingelenkpendelachse (“single-pivot”) layout, which hinged the axles at a common point under the differential, rather than on either side, and added twin trailing arms for better wheel control. A “camber compensator” spring was also added to support part of the weight of the rear end, allowing the regular rear springs to be softer.

From 1994 to 2008 I worked as a mechanic for the Newman Haas Indycar (Champcar) team and the cars had a third spring and shock that was used to control the high downforces of the aero. It was attached to the anti-roll bar system and only stiffened the car in flat vertical bump, it did not affect roll stiffness or if one wheel hit a bump. The main springs and anti roll bar blade settings controlled the roll stiffness. This setup allowed the car to run lower, support the aero load and still have some compliance over bumps. Of course the Lola did not have swing axles, it had the common for racing double wishbones.

I am trying to apply some of these ideas into the old Benz, of course I am not dealing with 100x the aero load.

I appreciate the discussion.