Front suspension design
Hi Guys, I’m trying to design new front suspension for my trophy truck off road racer. I can do most of it on paper but thats not the point of learning solidworks…… is it?? I know what I want to acheive.. its just i don’t know how to utilise SW. I’ve attached the prelim layout sketch of the left half of the suspension, i wish to be able to grab hold of the input shaft and cycle it left and right to see what happens to the rest i e where the wheel bolts on….. but i’m pulling my hair out cos I don’t know how to do it?? your help and guidance would be fantastic…. thank you. 43 year old student of SW, spinal injury who goes racing off road 
dave spencer 11:08 am on November 21, 2009 Permalink
I can’t open your drawing because I am still on 2008. I have done similar work for a go-cart design. You need to build each PART and create an ASSEMBLY. When you mate it you will have to do it in a way that allows for the pivoting parts. IE; use CONCENTRIC and WIDTH mates in the bushings. Once it it all together you can move it around just by dragging.
CBL 4:20 pm on November 21, 2009 Permalink
Work through the Help > SolidWorks Tutorials > Blocks tutorial.
Also see http://help.solidworks.com/2010/English/solidworks/sldworks/sw_sketch/blocks_in_parts_and_assemblies.htm
yakboy 5:24 pm on November 21, 2009 Permalink
Hi Dave, Thanks for your valued input. Maybe I’m barking up the wrong tree because my desire was to be able to draw and test to get all the geometry correct before going into building solid parts, I understand all the assembly and mating procedure and yes then cycling the parts… got that ok, I suppose I’m thinking there is a method before that, that I could utilise to cut down the process of changing part dimensions, rebuilds etc etc to acheive “perfect geometry”…. maybe the SW way isn’t what I was thinking. Ho Hum… back to the homework… thanks again..nige
yakboy 5:27 pm on November 21, 2009 Permalink
Hi kelvin, Thanks for your assistance, I’m on SW Pro 2009, so is there an equivalent help of the link you sent in 2009, I’m having some eye co-ordination problems cos i can’t find it !!!!! student learner !!!!! more homework time i guess…. thanks again…nige
yakboy 7:42 pm on November 21, 2009 Permalink
Hi Kelvin, Just gone through the blocks tutorial and I think you provided the answer… you are an absolute star!! straight to the top of the class!! Thanks again… i’m now going to try and complete the task… cheers nige
yakboy 5:48 am on November 22, 2009 Permalink
Right Guys…. I’ve done it !!!!! absolutely brilliant !! chuffed to bits but all the thanks must go to you people on this site because without your assistance I would still be scratching my head and not getting anywhere but most of all wasting valuable design time.. So HUGE HUGE thanks. Once i’ve got a bit further I’ll post the model up so others may benefit…. cheers guys take it easy nige.
CBL 5:27 pm on November 22, 2009 Permalink
Looking forward to seeing it.