A question for the experts about the A-frame ball joint

[Jonno]

Here's a question, is the A-frame ball joint in the exact centre of a Range Rover Classic rear diff? I.e. between the outer flanges, the bit the stub axles bolt to. I'm pretty sure they are, but would like a second opinion.

[PhilipA]

I think it is but it's only an opinion.
AFAIR the A frame is symmetrical.
Regards Philip A

[loanrangie]

It should be but with LR's quality control at the time they are all more than likely out either a bit or a lot depending on the day of the week it was assembled.

[Ancient Mariner]

A Salisbury is 27" or 685 mm from either side abit of a surprise thought the usual 20mm +or- LR tolerance would have been standard:D The RR diff would be similar I would think

AM

[Jonno]

Having thought about it, (after I posted the question), the A-frame would obviously be in the centre, it would simply have to be, albeit, as stated as close to centre as anything Land Rover could manage. Thanks for the input guys.

[loanrangie]

Of course it needs centered as the whole axle relies on it for location relative to the chassis , if it wasnt there would be unequal travel in relation to the body.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using AULRO mobile app

[EvilGTV]

A panhard rod however, has the ability to pivot at both ends of it. The A-ball only has a single pivot point in the left to right plane. If centred, a movement of a wheel on one side down of say 1 inch results in theoretically 1 inch movement up on the other side. Of course, when measured relative to the body the springs have an effect on the actual result.

If you were to put that pivot point at the end of the diff housing, right at the wheel, the end with the pivot will barely move up and down, while the other end goes through a huge range of movement.

Meaning that your axle articulation offroad will be drastically different from one side to the other, and on road handling over bumps and undulations would be... evil, to say the least.

It would effectively be like welding the chassis end of the panhand rod to the chassis...