{
 "version": "2026-10-20",
 "license": "Dimension sheets: CC BY 4.0. Standard and published-size files: CC BY 4.0. Xem Studio's own designs (files_license = Xem Studio Design License): free to use and sell things from, not to redistribute as files — https://xemstudio.com/license/. Other publishers' files: their own license, linked beside them.",
 "slug": "four-link-solid-axle",
 "name": "Triangulated 4-link (solid axle)",
 "kind": "standard",
 "category": "Car design",
 "group": "Suspension geometry",
 "year": null,
 "question": "What is a 4-link suspension and why do crawlers use it?",
 "tags": [
  "vehicle design",
  "suspension geometry",
  "rc design",
  "aerodynamics",
  "guide"
 ],
 "aliases": [
  "4 link",
  "four link suspension",
  "triangulated 4 link",
  "rc crawler 4 link",
  "solid axle links",
  "link separation",
  "4 link anti squat",
  "crawler suspension",
  "scx10 links",
  "4-link geometry"
 ],
 "overall_mm": {
  "length": null,
  "width": null,
  "height": null
 },
 "official_cad": false,
 "xem_status": "not-scanned",
 "les": false,
 "free_files": 0,
 "url": "https://xemstudio.com/objects/four-link-solid-axle/",
 "sheet_txt": "https://xemstudio.com/objects/four-link-solid-axle/sheet.txt",
 "sheet": {
  "basis": "Design rules and figures from the cited sources; example geometry by Xem Studio",
  "overall_mm": {
   "length": null,
   "width": null,
   "height": null
  },
  "notes": [
   "A triangulated 4-link locates a solid axle with two lower links and two angled upper links; the triangulation locates it sideways so no panhard bar is needed (Axial).",
   "Axial says it moves the axle in a more linear path with less sway, steer and torque twist than a 3-link. Builder rules of thumb on NC4x4: at least 6 in of vertical link separation at the axle and 40 deg or more of triangulation for lateral control."
  ],
  "table": {
   "columns": [
    "parameter",
    "value or range",
    "source"
   ],
   "rows": [
    [
     "Vertical link separation (full size)",
     "6 in or more",
     "NC4x4 forum (rule of thumb)"
    ],
    [
     "Triangulation",
     "40 deg or more",
     "NC4x4 forum (rule of thumb)"
    ],
    [
     "Upper vs lower links",
     "uppers shorter so anti-squat falls with droop",
     "NC4x4 forum"
    ]
   ]
  }
 },
 "sheet_text": "Triangulated 4-link (solid axle) — dimension sheet\nSource: Xem Studio, https://xemstudio.com/objects/four-link-solid-axle/  (sheet CC BY 4.0)\nBasis: Design rules and figures from the cited sources; example geometry by Xem Studio\nCatalog version: 2026-10-20\n\nSizes: see table below\n- A triangulated 4-link locates a solid axle with two lower links and two angled upper links; the triangulation locates it sideways so no panhard bar is needed (Axial).\n- Axial says it moves the axle in a more linear path with less sway, steer and torque twist than a 3-link. Builder rules of thumb on NC4x4: at least 6 in of vertical link separation at the axle and 40 deg or more of triangulation for lateral control.\n\nparameter  value or range  source\nVertical link separation (full size)  6 in or more  NC4x4 forum (rule of thumb)\nTriangulation  40 deg or more  NC4x4 forum (rule of thumb)\nUpper vs lower links  uppers shorter so anti-squat falls with droop  NC4x4 forum\n\nFiles elsewhere (not hosted by Xem Studio; license as stated by the publisher):\n- Axial: Suspension Link Types Explained — web — Publisher's page; dimensions are facts — https://www.axialadventure.com/axi-blog-archive-suspension-link-types-explained.html\n- NC4x4 forum: General 4 Link Suspension Design Information — web — Publisher's page; dimensions are facts — https://nc4x4.com/forum/threads/general-4-link-suspension-design-information.72892/\n\nNo true-size file yet: the published figures do not fix the whole shape; a measured scan is planned.\nAPI: https://xemstudio.com/api/geometry?object=four-link-solid-axle\n",
 "sources": [
  {
   "publisher": "Axial",
   "title": "Suspension Link Types Explained",
   "url": "https://www.axialadventure.com/axi-blog-archive-suspension-link-types-explained.html",
   "formats": [
    "web"
   ],
   "license": "Publisher's page; dimensions are facts",
   "license_verified": true,
   "hosted": false
  },
  {
   "publisher": "NC4x4 forum",
   "title": "General 4 Link Suspension Design Information",
   "url": "https://nc4x4.com/forum/threads/general-4-link-suspension-design-information.72892/",
   "formats": [
    "web"
   ],
   "license": "Publisher's page; dimensions are facts",
   "license_verified": true,
   "hosted": false
  }
 ],
 "xem": {
  "status": "not-scanned",
  "sheet_free": true,
  "mesh_price_usd": null,
  "step_price_usd": null,
  "tolerance_mm": null
 },
 "related": [
  "camber",
  "caster",
  "kick-up",
  "toe-front",
  "toe-rear",
  "ackermann"
 ],
 "fits": [],
 "dimensions": "exact (nominal, no printing tolerance)",
 "dimension_rule": "All geometry on Xem Studio is exact (nominal, true size) with no printing tolerance. Where a part meets another part, the object lists its mating features (feature, exact size, what it mates with, fit class: press, slide, run, socket, clamp or designed). Apply your process's allowance to those features only; 'designed' gaps are part of the design and stay as drawn.",
 "mating": [],
 "faq": [
  {
   "q": "Why triangulate?",
   "a": "To give lateral location without a panhard bar (Axial; NC4x4)."
  }
 ],
 "files_license": null,
 "offers": [],
 "markdown": "https://xemstudio.com/objects/four-link-solid-axle/index.md"
}