Question: Shock mount on hairpin?

I had a rolling frame built a couple of years ago, getting around in now that I'm doing brakes and such. When it was built the lower shock mount was placed on the lower bar of the hairpin. Now that I'm learning more, I'm wondering if this is good or not. Anyone have any thoughts? Good or bad? I'm thinking maybe not so good, seems like there would be a lot of flex and movement. Any pics of it done thiis way? Thanks

 

I'm no suspension guru, but i'm sure one will be along soon. all the shock does is dampen the bounce of the spring. doesn't hold weight or anything.

with that being said, I'd say it wouldn't hurt to join the two parts of the hairpin together in that area.

I might be more concerned about the strength of the upper mount in this set up.

 

I'm more concerned about that bird**** weld for the headlight/shockmount-to-frame. That needs to be a very sold weld..if that shock ever bottoms out, kaSNAP. Safety first kids!

 

I would think that would put unnecessary load or stress on a rather thin tube also would'nt it be trying to pull the bottm of the axle backwards ?

 

I second the web between the upper and lower bars of the hairpin. And maybe a gusset on the upper mount to the frame.

 

Good point about the top mount, missed that worried about the bottom. Maybe I'll just do the ol' F1 top mount to the frame and move the bottom mount.

 

Spot on,but less the mount that holds the headlight is super strong,the vibs from the shock well make headlight very short lived,always best the have them not on same mount.

 

Also, I'm wondering how that clevis on the front of the hairpin would hold up? The shock will add pressure at a 90angle from what it was designed for. (up-down instead of front-rear) Might only be a problem if you travel bad roads or hit a huge pothole...I dunno.

 

With the shock located on the lower hairpin bar in that geometry it also creates a "moment" which may cause the clevis to loosen. Not that it would go anywhere but after time would cause damage.

 

T-buckets use that set up.
Add some bracing to the headlight stand,and a little holey brace between the two bars couldn't hurt...

 

Anyone know who makes those batwings?

 

Not so bad if they both fail together.
If 1 side fails, car climbs a tree.

 

The T suspension in the photo is a Total Performance design used on at least 1,000 frames. Has worked just fine for 25+ years.

 

BTT for afternoon crowd

 

I LOL-ed.

The F100 setup is clean, strong and neat. I liked that suggestion best.

 

As others said, I would ad a web between the hairpin bars and tie the shock brackets into that so you'd have to bend both bars and the web to have a failure on that end. I'd also consider making the upper mount a double shear mount.