Group 4 front suspension

[chris.richard]

Anybody got photos of the differences from the Stradale suspension?

[Martin K]

I have one photo, in a book, somewher. What detail is it you want to know exactly?

The lower TCA was strenghtened by 'boxing' the curve and around the lower ball joint mount, and of course it had a rose joint on the inner end. I believe the front tie bar was rose jointed at the front end too, which had two pickup points on the chassis and the tiebar was adjustable for length in situ by being in two pieces and having left and right hand threads on the threaded sleeve which joined the two halves. The top mount of the coilover was higher up the chassis than the top wishbone mounts with a little boxed mounting bracket of it's own. Colin Artus must surely know the details of the position of that, and be able to confirm (or correct!) the other details?

[chris.richard]

Thanks Martin.
It was the top of the coilover I was interested in. I think Hawk has replicated the rest of the assembly anyway.

By "two pickup points on the chassis" for the front tie bar, do you mean that the bolt at the front is in double shear?

[colin artus]

The front upper coilover mount that Martin refers to is the 'Safari' mounting that was homologated in late '75. Prior to that date the homologated position was the w/bone mounting shaft. The 'Safari' mount was about 3" higher and 2" inches outboard with a longer spring and damper to give extra suspension travel ( as well as better spring geometry). I dont have the exact dimensions and they aren't given on the homologation forms(!) - just a picture.
I imagine that most cars destined for non tarmac events used this mounting (the Chequered Flag cars did). All the tarmac spec cars I have seen have used the old mounting point; but then I can number those on one hand, so hardly definitive.

Colin

[SUSIT]

Colin,
Hi I have asked this question before but cant get a definitive answer. how many inches of suspension travel did the Grp 4 cars have front and rear in A. tarmac spec & B. Gravel spec? Any help appreciated.
Regards
Stephen

[Martin K]

Thanks Martin.
It was the top of the coilover I was interested in. I think Hawk has replicated the rest of the assembly anyway.

By "two pickup points on the chassis" for the front tie bar, do you mean that the bolt at the front is in double shear?

The rose joint was, of course, mounted on a bolt in double shear between two 'side plates' as it were. But the bracket also had two mounting positions separated vertically by about the same as the inner TCA mount. I guess this allowed the roll centre postion and the anti dive to be adjusted to suit ride height, as I amagine the lower mountings would be used 'on the loose' and the upper mountings for tarmac?

[Martin K]

Colin,
Hi I have asked this question before but cant get a definitive answer. how many inches of suspension travel did the Grp 4 cars have front and rear in A. tarmac spec & B. Gravel spec? Any help appreciated.
Regards
Stephen

I have read that in 1977 the G4 Stratos had between 150 mm and 200 mm of suspension travel, I guess depending on 1) ride height setting and 2) 'tarmac' or 'loose' suspension settings. so A) 150 mm and B) 200 mm