Rear axle construction
 

Hi

I have been looking att this kind of rear axle att numeros of pictures but i dont really understand how it works.

Link to a picture showing the rear axle construction:
http://www.rscamaro.com/images/rsCamaro/front-view.jpg

Is there anyboddy who can explain how this works with the brakes, drive shafts, suspension and other peices.

Do anyone have pictures of this kind of rear axle construction being constructed?

Best regards Johan

That setup is based on Jag components. You can get a good idea of how it works from this page on the ERA site. The ERA rear is based on a separate subframe while the Camaro setup probably is rigidly attached to the chassis.

Thanks much apriciated.

Will read that some other day (the klock is 2 am here in stockholm)

Do you think this would work good on a track day cobra?

Ragards Johan

In the Jag setup you posted the orange arms are the bottom 'H' bars that act as the bottom w/bone & also control any twisting under braking/ acceleration. The black half shafts also act as the top wishbone & have shims where they bolt onto the side output shafts of the differential to adjust camber. The vertical pieces(4) of square steel tube are in the position that would normally be occupied by the coil over spring shock units(4). The gray tube above the diff unit is the fabricated mount to install the unit to the chassis. the gray piece underneath is a display stand.
With the exception of the 'E' type & 'S' type jags I think all other Jag rearend assy's have to be narrowed to fit within the std Cobra Body.
There are other rear axle assy's that can be adapted- 1989> 300zx Nissan, 1984> Corvette are a couple that spring to mind. The latest Ford T-bird/Mustang-Explorer could also be used. In Europe you have many cars that have IRS that could be used on a cost effective basis to you. BMW Mercedes Porsche 928( Yep I know its a combo trans diff unit, check out Rat Rod Russel's build in the scratch build section of this forum), He has used a late vette T/Axle, you could use a 928 to the same method. All comes down to what you feel you are capable of.
Check out the 9" IRS center section I have built for my own use in my gallery pics, does your school have casting/machining facilities, perhaps you could extend your class to do some of this work also.

cheers
Jac Mac

Ahha okey thank you for that answer.

In the schol i go to and take these classes we dont vork with casting/macining but i have a good deal of freinds who work with that.

The rear axle assy you are talking about, is that only the housing for the diferential?

I dont think the Porsche 928 vill work so goo in that kind of construction, i have the same kind of assy on my Porsche 944.

Regards Johan

That is correct, It takes a 9" Ford Diff head ( very common in most parts of the western world & with many ratios & traction aids available- ie detroit locker, trutrac LSD etc-) You would then have to make up/ procure suspension arm,s etc for it on the car. As I mentioned before it depends on the tools you have to work with & the skills that your group have. Along with any financial limitations imposed.

Jac Mac

Thanks again.

Now it´s more clear to me how it works.

Regards Johan

Hi again

I have been loking att hte swedish scrapyards and the prices and awilability is pretty good on both BMW and Jaguar assys.

So looking an the BMW assys i have came to the conclusion that a 7 series or a X5 assy would be useable. The prices vary fram abaout 200 $ to about 900 $.

The Jaguar assys on the other hand is priced between 500 and 1500$

So my question is this. Witch would be the best choise?

When the cobra is finnished it will be used for mainly driving on the streets and qrusing but also some trackdays and dragracing.

Please help.

Thanks in advance Johan