Wouldn't be a good idea. The springs will bind in the pivots. Even parallel they do some, but having them splayed out would make the bind unacceptable.
If you run shackles,they can be splayed. Without shackles,they want to be parallel. Do a mock up,with just the main leaves,to prove it.
Bugatti used splayed rear springs on all the Type 35,37 and 51 GP cars, they worked just fine. The attachment end needs to be forged so it is parellel to the axle. Overland used the setup in the 1920's.
They can be REALLY splayed, you just need shackles Willys-Overland 1924 had this setup too, gotta find the pics I have of Poor Boys Ed's ch***is
I think he means the eyes of the spring are "formed" so they are parallel with the axle at ***embly. Another possibility.
Are you wanting to splay them to avoid using a panhard bar? I'm working on a project using them to and wondered the same thing. Thanks, Kevin
I am going to use them in the rear of my A , the frame is originally splayed, so I was just going to mount them to go along with frame. I'm not sure about deleting the panhard, it poses an interesting question though.
The Overland had the front springs splayed at a 45 degree angle with no problems. The "A" frame is only ten deg. or so, shouldn't matter.
I can't find a photo, but the main leaf were the eye is rolled is bent inward so the bolt is in line with the axle housing, otherwise it will bind when moved.
Don't need a panhard bar with leafs,even if they are on an angle. Even at 45 degrees,not a problem. A lot of guys don't run them with transverse leaf springs.
Surprised no one has mentioned that many OE's use unparallel leaf springs to cancel oscollations in the suspension. You don't need as heavy shock action with them mounted out of parallel, thus a softer ride. Frank
I don't see why it would be an issue. Hudson ran unparallel leaf springs under the "step down" cars. As long as the shackle end of the spring was parallel with the shackle (in line with), I don't see an issue. If you design the ch***is along the same lines as you would if you set up a coilspring rear you'd be OK I'd think. Most of those don't run parallel trailing arms either. Then again, I'm no ch***is tech, and I'm not sure if this is what you meant by "splayed"...
I have a 25 chevy truck in the shop now ( a customers) that has factory (orginal equipment) splayed front quarter elliptical springs. i will snap a pic tomorrow.
After seeing an A that Pinkees Rod shop built with sectioned duece rails, rear quarter elliptics and X-mem ahead of rear axle, it has tons of trunk space and sits nice and low....
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