Suspension question

[Javi]

For those of you tech-maniacs....
The MG-Lola EX257 is said to be quite innovative in some aspects. One of them is using, in the front suspension, "flexures" in the lower A arm instead of ball joints.
Does this design provide many advantages over the classical suspension? What other cars use this kind of suspension design?

[PascaLM]

hello Javi !
Maybe you could find some answers in the racing technology forum.
They use "flexures" because, because, heuuuu,...they avoid high frequencies of second order vibrations maybe ?

[KC]

The flexure joints are basically flexible joint of carbon fiber instead of heim joints. I think Van Diemen ahs used them in the past as well as some other firms.

[Dauntless]

All racing bodies that I am aware of require that the suspensions allow some degree of movement. Rigid 'suspensions', such as on a kart, are forbidden. I strongly suspect that what MG are doing is minimizing the suspension movement with the carbon flexures, while paring maybe 30-40 grams off the weight of each heim joint. This might add up to a kilo or so of weight saving on the car and has some potential chassis tuning advantages.

[MulsanneMike]

I don't think the flexures on the MG are carbon, I beleive they are metal (steel). The carbon has a less predicatable life cycle than the metal and when talking endurance racing life cycles are pretty important.

[Dauntless]

Ah, I really don't know what material they are made from, but took KC's word for it that they are carbon. BTW, Mike, sorry we didn't see you at the Runoffs!