MercianRover
Member Since: 07 Apr 2022
Location: Culworth
Posts: 158
 
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Gladly.
Open vs Closed is very relevant to optimal geometry.
There's less bulk so the CV joint and kingpins can be packaged closer to the rolling centre of the hub, this is the "steering offset".
If one imagines, from the front elevation, an axis running through the upper and lower swivel pins, for the conventional closed knuckle there's a positive offset between that axis and the rolling axis of the front hub - the wheel is further out than the kingpin axis.
Spacers exacerbate this, as does a greater "ET" ("Einpresstiefe," which is a German term for "insertion depth" or "offset") for the rim.
Ignoring serviceability constraints, the other benefits of the open knuckle design are reduced unsprung mass and better steering angle, assuming that the suspension longitudinal linkage (radius arm) is favourably positioned.
Briefly the D2 axles had reduced steering offset, better steering angle, longer panhard rod (reduced lateral deflection of the axle over a wider travel range) and I think also diffferent caster. I remember there were illustrations of the changes when the vehicle was launched but that's a long time ago now.
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17th Jun 2025 9:38am |
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