shelbystang
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Over a Independent Rear Suspension?
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Pretty much summed up right here.Lighter, stronger (can handle more torque and impact), better for straight line dragging, to name a few....
Yes to both.Is the live rear end axle cheaper to maintain and more durable than IRS?
More durable? Absolutely.Is the live rear end axle cheaper to maintain and more durable than IRS?
:ford:If you can handle the wheel hop and the fact that a live axle transfers power to the wrong wheel in a corner, then yeah the LRA "issue" is over-played.
Wheel hop is curable, I'm not sure what you mean by powering the wrong wheel in a corner though... Power application is a function of the rear differential. Each type powers wheels differently. A Torsen will supply power to the outside wheel while cornering up until the inside wheel gets light enough to spin, a clutch based one will try and lock the wheels and tires together forcing the power to go to the outside, an open differential will power both wheels equally up until one gets light enough then it will light the inside wheel up like crazy.If you can handle the wheel hop and the fact that a live axle transfers power to the wrong wheel in a corner, then yeah the LRA "issue" is over-played.
Wheel hop is curable, I'm not sure what you mean by powering the wrong wheel in a corner though... Power application is a function of the rear differential. Each type powers wheels differently. A Torsen will supply power to the outside wheel while cornering up until the inside wheel gets light enough to spin, a clutch based one will try and lock the wheels and tires together forcing the power to go to the outside, an open differential will power both wheels equally up until one gets light enough then it will light the inside wheel up like crazy.
If you are getting a proper limited slip to "power the wrong wheel in the corner" then you may wish to re-examine your rear diff and if it is fine then I suggest fixing the setup issues your car has. Reducing the swaybar size and increasing spring rate will help keep the axle on the ground. When set up properly you'll have a hard time lighting up one wheel without lighting up the other.
Anyway, IRS and Live Axle have unique advantages and disadvantages. IRS tend to be a lot more flexible in how to set up a car, a live axle tends to be easier to set up. Generally speaking IRS is preferable for handling environments due to the quicker suspension response times. Folks will say they tend to handle mid corner bumps better. That works up until you start throwing real springs at an IRS, then they are basically the same crappy response to mid corner bumps as a track prepared live axle car.
One thing is certain, you HAVE TO drive a live axle car correctly in order to be fast. IRS cars can be a touch more forgiving and are a little easier to setup to drive fast while cornering.
Yes, no, and maybe.Correct me if I'm wrong Whiskey, the LRA requires a stiffer spring/shock assembly to control the unsprung weight whereas the IRS can run softer springs/shocks to still maintain the same body control and at the same time improve ride quality and stability over rough roads.
Seriously after all these years of complaining that the Mustang needs IRS it finally gets it and people want to know the advantages of a solid axle?