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Terra Firma - Rear Suspension Guide - Popular Hot Rodding

Like it or not, the rear of your car is planted to the ground with one of the seven rear suspension types. We explain the pros and cons of them all
By Steven Rupp
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Companies like Global West,... 
   
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Companies like Global West, Hotchkis, and Detroit Speed sell performance leaf springs to replace your stockers. Just like coil springs, these leaf springs have specific spring-rates designed to up the performance. If the right mix of parts is used, you can have a good-handling car for not a lot of green.
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Using the right leaf-spring... 
   
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Using the right leaf-spring bushings and shackles can make all the difference on a leaf-spring equipped car. These spherical bearings from Global West help the leaf springs control the side-to-side movement of the rear end during hard cornering.
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Watt's links are great for... 
   
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Watt's links are great for keeping the lateral movement of the rear axle in check. This unit from FAY'S2 Suspension bolts to your leaf-spring equipped car to take stress off your leaves and let them do their thing. You will also see this type of centering device on other systems.
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Watt's links are becoming... 
   
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Watt's links are becoming more popular. This bolt-in unit from Lakewood fits into '05 and newer Mustangs and replaces the Panhard rod. The main benefit of a Watt's link over a Panhard rod is that the car reacts the same no matter if it's turning right or left.
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Triangulated four-links have... 
   
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Triangulated four-links have been around for some time. This system is offered by Art Morrison Enterprises and has many advantages over leaf-spring systems. Since the upper links are angled in, you do not need to use a centering device like a Watt's link or Panhard rod.
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One company making parallel... 
   
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One company making parallel four-links that are geared toward handling is Detroit Speed and Engineering. Their Quadra-Link rear suspension uses anti-bind swivel-links to keep performance-robbing bind at bay. The long Panhard bar is horizontally mounted to help control lateral movement of the rear axle.
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If you remember the air spring... 
   
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If you remember the air spring install on g/28, this system will look familiar. Air Ride Technologies chose to use a triangulated four-link system with its Air Bar rear suspension. Not having a Panhard or Watt's link makes for an easier time packaging the system under the car, and less weight is always a bonus.

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