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Terra Firma - Rear Suspension Guide - Popular Hot Rodding



IRS- The only one that does not use a solid axle. Has an upper and lower control arm design much like a front suspension. Wheels move in the vertical dimension independent of each other.
IRS- The only one that does not use a solid axle. Has an upper and lower control arm design much like a front suspension. Wheels move in the vertical dimension independent of each other.		Leaf Spring- Rear end is supported by leaf springs. This may or may not have a centering device like a Watt's link or Panhard rod, however, OEM applications always rely on the springs to center the rear.
Leaf Spring- Rear end is supported by leaf springs. This may or may not have a centering device like a Watt's link or Panhard rod, however, OEM applications always rely on the springs to center the rear.		Triangulated Four-Link- Four links with the upper two links angled inward toward the center section. This design does not use any centering device as the upper arms act as the centering device.
Triangulated Four-Link- Four links with the upper two links angled inward toward the center section. This design does not use any centering device as the upper arms act as the centering device.
Parallel Four-Link- Four links all running parallel to each other. Will always be seen with some sort of centering device such as a Panhard rod, Watt's link, or diagonal link.
Parallel Four-Link- Four links all running parallel to each other. Will always be seen with some sort of centering device such as a Panhard rod, Watt's link, or diagonal link.		Three-Link- Two lower links work together with one center link that is generally mounted to the center top area of the rear end. This system will be seen with either a Watt's link or a Panhard rod as shown.
Three-Link- Two lower links work together with one center link that is generally mounted to the center top area of the rear end. This system will be seen with either a Watt's link or a Panhard rod as shown.		Truck Arm- The long I-beam trailing links are the dead giveaway here. This system will also use a Panhard rod as a centering device. Trailing links are mounted rigid to the rear axle and do not articulate.
Truck Arm- The long I-beam trailing links are the dead giveaway here. This system will also use a Panhard rod as a centering device. Trailing links are mounted rigid to the rear axle and do not articulate.
Torque-Arm- The torque-arm suspension's "third link" is a long arm that runs from the center of the differential to near the transmission to absorb rear axle torque reactions and to establish pinion angle. A centering device such as a Panhard is required.
Torque-Arm- The torque-arm suspension's "third link" is a long arm that runs from the center of the differential to near the transmission to absorb rear axle torque reactions and to establish pinion angle. A centering device such as a Panhard is required.
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