funtimesalways

as i move closer to buying the 1 piece drive shaft, i have read around in some places that i will need adjustable 3rd link. what the heck is 3rd link? i found steeda 3rd link on mossmustang, but i really dont understand suspension, its my weak spot in automobile knowledge. i suppose i can fork out the extra $179 for this 3rd link, but what else would i need being that my car is lowered? i am also looking into the steeda "stop the hop" back. is this a stand alone kit? will it bolt right up the the shelby gt? dependable as always as you all are. thanks

Legion5

the suspension is held on by 3 links to prevent it from falling off and to transfer power to the car. These links can move in any direction but forward and backward. One link is right at the top of the differential, and bolts under the rear seat with a single huge bolt. The other two are at the bottom of the differential to the left and right.

The stock drive shaft is flexible because it comes in two pieces, this isn't a design feature but instead was there to save engineering cost and came from the Ford parts bin from a truck or some such.

When you put on a one piece it's much less flexible and much more sensitive to the difference between the axis of your diff's rotation and the axis of your transmission's rotation. This relationship changes dynamically as the suspension moves up and down but when it's not parallel then the driveshaft starts to bind heavily which is the problem as if this is going on constantly with a one peice it will both reduce your power a little and cause wear and tear. To solve this you adjust the top axle link's length until the diff is again parallel with the transmission kind of like adjusting a table leg until it's level. It's not really a suspension mod, but a relocation suspension parts to make something fit the right way.

funtimesalways

so i guess the answer is yes, i would need the 3rd link? thanks for the informative reply as well, not just a yes or no.