Any solid object between the chassis and the road won't reduce any impact force - just transmit it. The wheel and skid plate solutions allow the chassis to glide over a bump without any chassis or bumper material rubbing off. The only difference is in the sound frequency and Db levels they produce while doing so.

Urethane wheels do a better job in that regard, but they should be smallish in diameter to increase road clearance. They should also swivel when the vehicle rolls and isn't pointed straight - otherwise the wheels drag and create flat spots (next thing you know, I'll be discussing the slip angle of urethane Porsche skate wheels :) )

A true impact absorber would feature some sort of dampening device that gives upon impact. There's nothing on this thread thus far that accomplishes that.

Sometimes backing out of a driveway at an angle produces fewer interference zones. Try that.

Gasoline weighs about 8lbs/gallon. Consider the fuel load. I create better front end clearance because I hate filling up at $60 a tank. YMMV (literally).

Sherwood

ordered rollers
 

decided to go with these:
Code Item Qty Price Grand Total
94-8777 Weld-On Steel Mini Roller 2 $21.37 $42.74

Subtotal: $42.74
Tax: $0.00
Shipping Cost: $11.59
Grand Total: $54.33


Contact Customer Service:
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.................and attach to the front steering arm cover in either of 2 ways.


Plan A:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1313258305.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1313258377.jpg

Ground clearance should be greater than current setup.

Plan B:
attach to piece of 1/4" plate and mount to rear bolts of front steering arm cover, using bolts that are 3.5 cm longer. The same compensation would have to be made for the mounting angle:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1313258992.jpg

The wheels don't need to pivot since at low speed crawling over a driveway, the vehicle heading and vehicle velocity are in the same direction, so no slip angle. It might help if they were rounded like motorcycle tires or roller blade wheels so that if you go at an angle it will follow the cambers better.

no swivel action
 

right--welded to front steering arm cover. I'm figuring that the shim will bring wheel ~parallel to ground.

Yes, I was responding to the post before yours that said there should be a caster action.

type of bumps around here
 

can you eat that thing ?

I believe cannibalism is still illegal, but I bet the snake tastes like chicken.

This thread is retarded.....

retarded? retarded?
 

yes, Davy, it is; what's your point!:D
Yes, Ron, it's good eat'n, especially with hot BBQ, or if used in a good hot vindaloo....................
now, back to the more serious silly stuff: can the front a-arm protective bracket be removed and replaced without affecting the front alignment?
If so, what precautions must I use?

Why not just install a curb ramp at $300 it is a fix for all your cars.

Bridjit Curb Ramps - The No Jar To Your Car Curb Solution

curb ramp
 

Yo super!,
The issue isn't entering or exiting the driveway. If it were the case, your suggestion would be a good fix.
Often the roads and parking lots in our area are not as well maintained as they should be, and could cause the car to bottom out............

I wonder if just bolting on a nylon (plastic) rub strip or pads might do the trick?

When I used to road race that type of material seems to do just fine when dragging a knee.

A plastic shop should be able to sell you a chunk cut to size, and if you do it well it will be easy to replace when it wears out. You could even put a less dense material behind it to give you some bump absorption.

P.S.

Glad to see you were smart enough to wear high boots. I'd hate to see that thing nibble at your ankles ;)

here's the wheel
 

Wayner, that's not me--local news pic--I'm a little put-offish re: friends if the slithery pursuation. Sounds like a good alternative re: bum material.

The wheels are heavy--shipping at 6.7 pounds, but beefy enough to take any tap:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1313774836.jpg

If I go with plan A, they will be less likely to drag than the current setup:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1313774910.jpg


I'm now checking around to see if the front a-arm protective cover can be removed without affecting the front alignment--Pelican says OK. I've also asked on 911 tech forum, and will sort it out before removal. If removal will mess up the alignment, I'll go to plan B

The protective cap can come off without affecting alignment, just don't mess with the two bolts that hold the front bushing housing onto the chassis.

You mean HDPE?

Old thread on that topic:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/off-topic-discussions/440870-hdpe-plastic-uses.html

I think that even if you replaced the aluminum teardrops with a thicker, lets say 1/2" HDPE it would crack or shatter eventually. Just would never have the shear and impact strength required.

It is an idea worth testing, just to see how long it lasts.

Na, not HDPE.

Titanium!

<iframe width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/O0oy5Ex9RnY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

This thread is hilarious. Funny car wheelie bars in the front. Do we use swivel casters or rounded wheels? LMAO.

If you can't anticipate a problem with transition, your card to drive a super exotic is hereby revoked. If you have to do this for your wife, I have a suggestion.

Mount a significant amount of rubber or urethane footed by a skid plate. Better to ski over the obstacle than try to use a furniture dolly.

Why is that better?

It's better because it will shear from the surface, prevent the pan from hitting the ground, and won't rip a hole in the bottom of the car. And when the plastic or rubber is worn out remove it and put on a fresh piece. Something with the consistency of a hockey puck would likely be good material for this purpose.

If you bottom out the car with the current design and simultaneously hit anything taller than half the diameter of the wheel you will see some significant bending force applied to the mounting point as the wheel and mount will act as a lever.