Adjustable strut rods alignment question 74 Dart
The end of the LCA travels in an arc around the LCA pivot. The end of the strut rod travels in an arc around the bolt in the center of that heim. The LCA pivot and that strut rod bolt are not parallel to each other. The LCA and strut rod are not the same length (which sets the radius of their arcs). You really think that the end of the strut rod and the end of the LCA will trace out the same arc in that configuration?
You changed the radius of the arc that the strut rod traces out by lengthening the strut rod, but, those two arcs are still at an angle to one another and have a different radius. The strut rod and LCA intersect at an angle, you can not make those two things travel in a non-diverging arc with non-parallel pivots. You can change the radius, but, those arcs are still separate and diverging.
If you want them to travel in the same arc you would need to move the strut rod pivot so that it is both in line AND parallel with the LCA pivot. Which would basically just make the combination a wishbone style LCA, much like the UCA is.
And frankly, I've never had any trouble getting the LCA on one of these cars to travel without binding within the range of available suspension travel, even with the shorter off the shelf adjustable strut rods.
The end of the LCA travels in an arc around the LCA pivot. The end of the strut rod travels in an arc around the bolt in the center of that heim. The LCA pivot and that strut rod bolt are not parallel to each other. The LCA and strut rod are not the same length (which sets the radius of their arcs). You really think that the end of the strut rod and the end of the LCA will trace out the same arc in that configuration?
You changed the radius of the arc that the strut rod traces out by lengthening the strut rod, but, those two arcs are still at an angle to one another and have a different radius. The strut rod and LCA intersect at an angle, you can not make those two things travel in a non-diverging arc with non-parallel pivots. You can change the radius, but, those arcs are still separate and diverging.
If you want them to travel in the same arc you would need to move the strut rod pivot so that it is both in line AND parallel with the LCA pivot. Which would basically just make the combination a wishbone style LCA, much like the UCA is.
And frankly, I've never had any trouble getting the LCA on one of these cars to travel without binding within the range of available suspension travel, even with the shorter off the shelf adjustable strut rods.