What's Watts?

[Kal-El]

I see that the R400 and R500 come with the Watt's Linkage as standard, and wondered what the benefits are, how does it affect the handling and road manners of the car, and is it worth retro fitting?

If anyone can also give me a basic understandig of how it works too that would be great.

Thanks,

P

[Jonathan Kay]

Have you got the Assembly Guide that has the picture and instructions? If not and you'd like it send me a Private Mail.

Watt's linkage on Wikipedia.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/93/Watts_linkage.gif

Jonathan

[SM25T]

It is a device that includes four little rod end bearings that should be considered as consumable items, as they get very rattly, causing lots of crashes and bangs from the rear of the car ! I normally change mine every two years ..... which equates to 16,000+ miles

[paul richards]

On a 7 the watts linkage is used to locate the de dion tube. It is installed in place of the radius arm (trailing arm) and is designed so that the attachment point on the de dion tube moves exactly up and down rather than scribing an arc.

Is it worth it? Personally I think not. There is still some "twist" in the de dion tube, as the A frame which attaches to the bottom of the de dion tube still scribes an arch. So the benefits in handling are probably minimal and probably undetectable unless you are Lewis Hamilton. Also as mentioned above, the spherical joints are small and do wear and need regular replacement at some cost. Also when they are wearing/worn, the handling will be worse than a radius arm.

I understand that a number of sprinters/racers change from watts link to radius arms. Perhaps that says it all. I think far better value for money would be obtained from having the suspension geometry and corner weighting set up properly. 

Just my 2p worth.

[oldbutnotslow]

Invented by Richard Watt of steam engine fame so its been around for centuries! 

I would agree with Paul's comments.

[Jonathan Kay]

Invented by Richard Watt...

Ahem.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/ff/Bust_of_James_Watt.JPG/220px-Bust_of_James_Watt.JPG

Jonathan

[elie boone]

The Watts linkage is something copyed from heavy saloons like the DD rear end, there are solutions for the DD rear end that would work better at half the weight. what works in a heavy saloon or GT doens't always work in a nimble car.

[Mavic82]

In my opinion on a road car on rougher roads there is a value as it reduces rear steer and therefore improves the feel of stability. Particularly when 'just driving'

on the track get rid, the rear steer from the loaded wheel helps turn in and is predictable and helpful.

do I run one, no had it and got rid as I did not like the feel.

[SM25T]

I changed mine to Radius arms. Simple change. No more rattly rod end bearings.