Can I get a visual aid on what "5 link" means?

[Loboracer]

As I continue evolving my buggy plans, I see the occasional mention of a 3 link or 5 link rear axle... I'm hoping to get some kind of visual aid on what is meant by a 5 link and get some opinions on what would be best on a sand car built to go fast and hard with some jumping and what not... Thanks!

P.S. I'm totally clueless here so any info would help

[yoshi]

5 link means 5 connection points, 3 going to the wheel from the gearbox area, 2 additional going to the wheel from in front of the wheel...........

[Loboracer]

Beautiful! Are there any great advantages to a 5-link vs. double A-Arm vs. Trailing Arms?

[K-fab]

5-link:
Probably the best for short course type of racing.
Most tunable, can manipulate the rear wheels through suspension travel to do all sorts of movement such as toe change, camber and caster changes.
Can be quite delicate
Can be quite easy to knock out of alignment
Very inexpensive to fix the parts - it's five pieces of tubing with threaded bungs on the ends...



Trailing Arms:
Brutally tough.
Not able to adjust anything after they're put together. (get it right from the start). Some have the ability to adjust toe a small amount via a heim on one of the mounting points, but it's almost a moot point.
Brutally tough.
Heavier than a-arms or five link
tough... (getting the idea?)

Double A-arm
Adjustability is about half way between a five link and a trailing arm. You can adjust them to a point, but not manipulate the carrier near as much.
Tough
Easy to repair (in general)
Can make the suspension do some interesting things during movement, but not like a five link.

Great all around setup. It's a shame you don't see more dual a-arm rear ends.

Three link:
Drakart. One triangulated drag link (from chassis up by driver's hip) back to the carrier and then two links from the back of the suspension out to the carrier (perpendicular to the centerline of the car).

Similar to an A-arm setup in what you can accomplish.

So, to recap, quickly:
Five link: Pros - Adjustable, light, easy to repair. Cons - very hard to get set up from the beginning (design), tender and can't take a beating.
Trailing arm: Pros - Brutally tough. Cons - not adjustable. Get it right from the beginning (design)
A-arms: Pros - Strong, allows for good motion. Cons - Not as strong as trailing arms, not as adjustable as a link suspension.
Three link - pretty much a cross between five and trailing in both departments.

[yoshi]

Originally Posted by Loboracer

Beautiful! Are there any great advantages to a 5-link vs. double A-Arm vs. Trailing Arms?

Advantages are they are lighter, and offer camber change like an a-arm, yet cycle back like a trailing arm.

Disadvantages are that it's not as strong as a trailing/A-arm setup, it requires a lot more money for heims, and adjusting that kind of suspension is a pain in the ass because all the heims.

[Damien]

A 3 and 5 link and double A-arm control the wheel in the same way. So they are sort of the same family. You could have the same motion of the wheel with any of those suspension types (with a couple very minor exceptions comparing the 3 link to the other two). The difference is adjustability, strength, simplicity etc... as the posters above have pointed out well. A trailing arm is a different way to control the tire so its not really in the same family, you could not have the same wheel motion with a trailing arm as you could with the others, and vice versa.

[LEE1969GB]

I would have to disagree that A five link can not be made strong, Mine has taken many big hits, a few times I was expecting the wheel to be hanging off but all was fine. I once side swiped a big tree with the rear wheel, I got out expecting the worst but no problems except a big lump of wood from the tree jammed between the rim and tyre

[LiveWire]

I think that the light and weak statement becomes a self full filling prophecy on the 5 link. Those who choose it because it is light, build it light. So then it is weaker than others. Trailing arm need to be built very solid. They often get built extra, extra solid hence they are then strong.

I feel a three link can be built lighter than trailing arm to get the strength and stronger than a 5 link given the same weight. I would not suggest a 3 link for a one off buggy though. It is tricky to set up to minimize toe change.

Another plus for 5 link and A-arm is the ability to more easily get minimal plunge.

[jeepindakotas]

Well then I have a question on which one would be the simplest one to construct with minimal tools and resources to build. IE back yard / shade tree, lol.

[Bugpac]

Id say its a toss up between the 3 as far as easy to construct, You will notice more body roll via dbl a arms IMO, they need to be thought out well just as the others, or you will end up with a ill handling car, 5 link can be easy, if you choose the proper parts, It is hard to make all the heims move and maintain clearances.. If it was me, and going thru the teething issues i went thru, I would seek out a reputable person that already has something setup right, will be cheaper in the long run.. the 3 link is simplest to build, If you know what your trying to accomplish, Most guys just build straight inline, Everything has to arc, and you will see very minimal scrub and toe change if done proper...