Boxed Rear Links?

[Speedracerx]

I'm in the process of installing the Cusco LAB for front and rear suspension. In the rear, I'm also adding the 4BoxParts adjustable front link (a really beefy part).

 

I'm currently running Fulcrum front offset bushings, Progress F/R bars with rear reinforcement, Kartboy front and stock rear end links, and BC Racing Inverted Coilovers.

 

In looking at the rear suspension, one of the weakest areas appears to be the rear link. Instead of buying the STi or Spec B part, I thought a simple and cheap mod would be to "Box" the link...an old Hot Rod trick of welding a steel plate to the open side of the "U" channel to box it in for added strength.

 

Any thoughts, or is this just a fool's errand?

[rao]

I do not think you would notice any benefit, but it would be very easy to do.

[Underdog]

Only the trailing arm and upper link are unique to the spec.B as far as I know and the STi version is only different in that it has spherical bearings.

 

I think they are ~$40 to replace so it might be worth while to just give it a shot. If you could take dimensions, I could model it for you and do some stress analysis.

[Speedracerx]

Onl ... If you could take dimensions, I could model it for you and do some stress analysis.

 

Niice, thanks.

 

Our shop has a bunch of equipment that I just decided to learn how to use (plasma cutter, Mig/Tig, etc.) so I'm like a kid in a candy store...probably going to end up welding something together that shouldn't be, but it's fun learning so I've been looking at things to do on my car. I should probably start on non-structural things first, but that's not my style:lol:

 

As Rao pointed out, I probably won't notice any benefit, but it should be easy to do, and the downside is pretty minimal.

[Speedracerx]

Just finished boxing the lower rear links, installing the 4BoxParts adjustable rear link, adding the Cusco rear LAB, and installing the Whiteline Roll Center kit. I read all the reviews of the Cusco kits and the Whiteline roll center kit and I agree...car feels very well planted and drives very "deliberately"...a good thing. The car now tracks really well over undulating curves, where it used to want to go wherever!

 

I would recommend the 4BoxParts link, Cusco and Whiteline parts to anyone looking for more stability.

 

Almost done with the chassis. Still to come: HD rear endlinks (next week), Grp N trans mount, and some better chassis bushings when someone makes a kit.

[paranoid56]

i did that with my wrx trailing arms. i say go for it, its easy.

http://www.camotoy.com/subaru/images/trailingarms/IMG_4453.JPG

[Speedracerx]

i did that with my wrx trailing arms. i say go for it, its easy.

http://www.camotoy.com/subaru/images/trailingarms/IMG_4453.JPG

 

Nice...I'm a novice at welding so I just did a few tabs and not the full length. Came out OK. We were checking out the link before I took it off the car, it was a little "weak" when twisting it, but is strong enough laterally. After adding the tabs, it really stiffened it up. With the 4Boxparts front link and the Cusco braces, the car feels heavier, more stable.

 

At low speeds, with the Whiteline roll center kit, the front end feels lighter, but still more controllable. After I add the HD rear endlinks and get an alignment, I think I'm done with the suspension;)