So why are Super Struts so great?, This just occured to me... Options

[saleeka]

Hopefully someone with knowlege about suspentions and superstruts can help answer this, so here goes-

So the 6th gen, along with various other toyotas from the time had what was called a "super strut" suspention setup in the high performance models. Now, from what i've always understood is that they help to give greater traction and handling (in ideal situations), but my question arises because of this. The 7th gen. Celica has wishbone suspention, correct? I've always understood wishbones to be superior for performance applications in regards to handling and grip, in general. So why is it that in the 7th gen, the SS-I and SS-II's (JDM mind you) carried the wishbone setup, and then the top models were the SS-II Super Strut cars? How exactly does the superstrut surpass (or differ) from the "more basic" wishbone models? I'd just like some insight from someone who knows what they are talking about, because this flies in the face from what i've always thought I understood...

[doGGy]

Well i will try to explain form what i understand is the biggest difference between Mac and SS and what are advatiges of having SS suspension. I drawed a little sketch with MS Paint (it sucks big time ) so i hope you will understand:



First on the left is Mac suspensions. As it only usses 2 moving points - the biggest loss is the traction when the suspension is moving. Basicly wheel isnt moving in a straight line when it is going up and down - so this means tire has less contact with the ground / less surface for gripping/handling.

On the right SS suspension, as it has 5 joints, and it is set up the way to let the wheel move on the 90' vertical line - tire is always on its full profile on the ground. But the biggest disapointment of this suspension is what even if one joint will go out - and you will have terible knocking in the suspension - witch feels on whole car even on a little bumps... + you will need to shangle whole arm witch costs Stupidly inormal $...

With the SS the ride quality is more confy, and gives you more secured handling. But i would go back to Mac all the way if i had to chose... Life has proven what more simple things make your life easyer As i have ST witch is beeing parted out - so i will just put the normal Mac suspension on my SSIII to make my life easyer.. Cuz when you know what you have to pay 350$ for the small sub arm witch goes on the main 8 figure arm (and this damn 8 figure arm center joint is out on my car and it costs around somthere 500$ for the whole arm) it kinda starts to piss you off