Originally Posted by
Bush65
A free body (in space) has 6 degrees of freedom. Translation in three directions (x,y,z) and rotation about 3 axii (xyz).
An axle needs to be restrained to have only 2 degrees of freedom. 1 translation (vertical movement) and 1 rotation.
4 links are required to restrain the other 4 degrees of freedom.
What is generally referred to as a 3 link, has to have a 4th link, which is the panhard rod. BTW some people erroneously call radius arms plus panhard, a 3 link. A radius arm is not a link - by defenition a link can only resist a force aligned with it's axis (clearly, a radius arm can resist axial plus rotation at 1 of it's ends).
The 3 link plus panhard has 2 lower links (like the rear lower links of a rover), a single upper link (which may be offset to clear the engine) and the panhard.
The offset of the upper link can be designed to counter the torque roll when climbing a hard obstical (can be the difference between rolling or not).
Alternatively, some front, 3 links have 1 lower link, 2 upper links and a panhard. The disadvantage of this arrangement is the single lower link has to resist high compressive loads when braking in an emergency.
When braking the front lower links are in compression and the upper links are in tension. For equilibrium, the compression force in the lowers is equal to the braking force plus the tension in the upper link.
Edit
The radius arm front suspension resists more than 4 degrees of freedom (over restrained). They only work because of give in the bushes. As soon as the bushes stop flexing the suspension binds. This is why the front suspension does not articulate as well as the rear.
4 link plus panhard suffer the same problem, but the total flex of the bushes can allow more articulation than radius arms.
A good, triangulated 4 link can be designed without any handling or articulation problems, but is difficult to get the geometry of upper links right with the engine in the way.
The good thing about radius arms is, they can be designed for good anti-dive during braking. A 3 link plus panhard can be designed for the same amount of anti-dive. With 4 link plus panhard, it is more difficult to get good ant-dive and good articulation (depending on the bushes).