Rear Axle Shock Absorber Question...?

[fkovalski]

On the rear axle of many vehicles, the shock absorber mounts towards the front of the axle on one side while the other side is reversed- thus the angle of the shocks reletive to each other are opposite side to side.



What is the reason for this?

 

[foolkiller]

it's probably different reasons for each situation. on our trucks they need room for exhaust aft of the axle on the right and the fuel tank forward of the axle on the left. i also vaguely remember reading about that setup helping with dampening spring wrap. most shocks dampen differently going up and down in travel; if you mount them on opposite sides, they offer equal dampening in regard to spring wrap (one is going up while the other down).



yes, i'm guessing

 

[steved]

IIRC, its called staggering. The typical "inverse V" was used in the older trucks.



The staggered design supposedly helps with axle wrap.



steved

 

[JacobsD]

Notice how the Fords have them so they are going the same direction. I've heard this is the reason why they wheel hop so bad.