In the wake of the Probe fiasco, Ford started looking at other alternatives for a next-generation Mustang. An all-new platform was out of the question for what was by then a comparatively low volume model compared to its s heyday. The MN was fresh and featured an independent rear suspension system, making it a seemingly ideal candidate. Ford created at least one Mustang development mule in by slicing a big chunk out of the long inch wheelbase of a Thunderbird Super Coupe.
The ride and handling properties of the 10th-generation Thunderbird were generally well regarded at the time, but development of that car had run way over budget and the car was overweight compared to its Fox-based predecessor. Despite the resurgence in Mustang sales following the introduction of the low-cost 5. Instead, Ford went back to the drawing board and opted for a major refresh of the already decade old Fox body, resulting in the SN While the SN restored a lot of classic Mustang design cues that had been missing since the demise of Mustang II, it stuck with a live axle at first.
As a result, the primary Mustang team went to work on a mid-cycle styling refresh that would arrive in , but SVT went further. Realizing that an all-new platform was still well off into the future, SVT engineers decided to see what they could do within the confines of the SN aka Fox-4 platform. They devised a short-long-arm rear suspension system that could bolt directly in place of the four-link live axle setup that had been used on Mustangs since A tubular steel subframe was designed that would bolt up to the same points as the pairs of leading and trailing links that located the live axle.
Space constraints meant that the geometry was less than optimal and suspension travel was somewhat restricted, but it was still an improvement over the solid setup. The result was the best-handling Mustang to that point. As planning for the fifth-generation Mustang was getting underway around , the decision was made to use DEW98 as the starting point.
As usual, that platform was also too heavy and expensive so the Mustang engineers worked on changes to bring it within their budget limits. By the time they were done, the short-long-arm suspension at each end had been replaced with front MacPherson struts and a three-link live rear axle and the only piece of the original platform that was retained was a central portion of the floorpan. However, while the S Mustang was being developed, there were two offshoots in progress.
In addition to the obvious SVT model, code-named Condor, there were plans for a more premium version to be badged as a new Mercury Cougar. In fact the first Condor prototypes were actually built with IRS. Unfortunately, the Cougar was killed before it was ever announced. As we wrote years ago, product development executive Phil Martens reportedly managed to convince Bill Ford Jr. The S platform was then reworked to accommodate the old-tech suspension.
We're still a few months away from our opportunity to drive the new sixth-generation Mustang known as S and Ford has yet spill a lot of details about technical bits of the car. However, with its primary competitors from Chevrolet and Dodge now rocking IRS, it would have been near impossible for Ford to justify another solid axle Mustang.
The last Boss was good, but that was pretty much the limit of what was achievable. Ford tells us that the Mustang is all-new and doesn't share a platform with any other car in the lineup, but that doesn't mean it doesn't share any parts.
The integral-link rear suspension is based on the architecture of the current Fusion, although we are told it includes several unique parts including lighter aluminum knuckles.
The rear track of the Mustang is also 2. Most customers will undoubtedly find the new setup an improvement compared to any of the solid axle layouts that came before. Traditionalists are already decrying the loss of the lighter, simpler arrangement and its inherent durability when subjected to drag racing starts.
Rumor has it that Ford Racing is at work on a solid axle installation for drag racers. The retrofit kit likely won't be suitable for street use, though, because the new IRS-equipped Mustang has a lower rear floor around the now stationary differential housing leaving little room for the motion of a live axle. Luckily the aftermarket has given us numerous solutions that make a Live Axle come very close in performance and comfort to an IRS.
Some basic upgrades include:. IRS cars have found these torque arms to be beneficial too, in order to improve traction.
Relocation brackets are mainly used on lowered cars. Too stiff and performance might be negatively impacted. Think of the panhard like the radius line on a circle. As you increase the angle of that set radius, the point on the circumference moves just ever so slightly horizontally.
This the disadvantage of a panhard, it creates a small arc within the roll center of the differential, and thus the car has different handling characteristics depending on the direction you turn it. The longer the rear end and thus the panhard , however, the less noticeable this effect is. It keeps the diff almost perfectly center, and in terms of handling and comfort is about as close to an IRS as a live axle can get.
With proper modifications your live axle can keep up with its IRS counterparts in terms of handling and comfort. Please confirm you agree to the use of tracking cookies as outlined in the Cookies Policy. Sign in or register. Ben F. Slowmaro 5 years ago. Is there anyone out there that prefers the way a solid axle behaves? Comment with your thoughts below! But still had a fair bit of lay and sway, use to pick up their nose and squat in the arse and burn rubber without going really quick, good number of four-cylinder cars They still use it to this day.
That's because escorts were produced that way. At the time they were designed and built, independent suspension wasn't really used much apart from high performance race cars, because solid axles were cheaper and simpler. And it's not Off course they still use it. It's the way they were designed, 40 years ago Tim Rodie. Mike Fernie. Jesse Billington.
What is a live rear axle? Mike Fernie posted in Mike's Mechanics. View gallery image. Join In Want to add something? Comments 7 Popular Latest. Joseph Landorf. Christopher Duval.
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