Hot Rod Garage Explains The Three Link Suspension

In Episode 48 of Lincoln “Tech Tips,” brought to you by Lincoln Tech and Hot Rod Garage, Tony Angelo explains the challenges and benefits of three link suspension systems, particularly focusing on their use in performance cars like the CUDA. Tony covers how three links work with parallel links and a Panhard bar to prevent axle rotation during suspension travel, making them excellent for cornering and acceleration. While three link systems offer superior articulation and minimal compromise compared to other suspension types, they require significant fabrication work and interior space modifications for street car applications.

Video Transcript:

00:00: [Music]

00:02: Welcome back to another Lincoln Tech Tip. Today we're going to talk about three links. The three link in the back of the Cuda has gotten a ton of attention online and there's lots of questions too. So let's talk about why three links are awesome. Three links make for a great performance suspension setup.

00:13: They've come OEM on a few performance sports cars in the last 10 years or so. And if you're ready to do a little bit of fabrication, they make a great system for your custom hot rod. In this type of rear suspension, all three links are running parallel to each other. And there's a Panhard bar to keep the axle centered under the car throughout suspension travel.

00:28: One of the things this thing does well is that it makes sure that the axle does not rotate or twist as the suspension travels up and down. It works especially well under hard cornering or hard acceleration of the drag strip.

00:40: Some of the advantages of a three link are that they allow for the most articulation in a live axle period. They're usually built with rod ends or Heim joints and that makes sure that there's just about zero bind as this thing goes through its travel.

00:51: All suspensions have compromises, but the three link really has the least amount of compromise. It's lightweight, it's simple, and it works well on street, track, or drag strip. 01:01: Some of the disadvantages are that the three link suspension is really common in race cars you don't often see it much on the street, and the reason for that is packaging. That upper center third link usually has nowhere to go in a street car. You're going to have to cut into the floor and make that mount and there's going to be fabrication skills needed and a bunch of work.

01:16: And again, space is going to be taken out of that interior and usually have to have some kind of compromise for a street car. Now if you go for it and you're not afraid of some hard work and a little bit of fabrication, you build yourself a three link, you will wind up with an awesome system that's good at the drag strip, the road course, and the street.

01:30: Lincoln Tech can teach you how to have a career working with cars. See Lincoln Tech's automotive programs.

Introduction by Robert Lanni. Video by Hot Rod Garage & Lincoln Tech.