WATTS link installed

[SouLRioT]

Ok, so I dropped off my car to get a oil change done and a once over befor I drive up for MVIII. But while its there RoyLPita offered to install my WATTS link, he even lent me the use of his CV to get to work. Great service from a great friend, now if it wasnt raining I could comment on the feel of the WATTS link. Thank you again Brian.

:banana:

[Cobra25]

That was nice of RoyLPita (aka) Brian to lend you his car. I hope you like your watt's link. Have a safe trip.

[Fourth Horseman]

I'd be interested in hearing what you think of your new watts link setup when you get the chance to test it out in nice weather. Was this the Metco kit?

[SouLRioT]

Yes, this was the Metco kit, I had already installed the Addco front and rear sway bars aswell as the Metco control arms.

[SergntMac]

I'm interested in your results too, thanks.

[Big House]

:help: What is a WATTS link? What does it do?

[fastblackmerc]

:help: What is a WATTS link? What does it do?
It's part of the rear suspension. A necessary upgrade to the factory suspension to eliminate body roll in addition to the rear & rear sway bars and upper & lower rear control arms. You can throw in QA1 coil-over front shocks for a complete suspension upgrade.

[Big House]

Thanks. I will stick with my Eibachs for a while. The coil overs I can wait on. Looking to do the sway bars though. But the way his car handles stock, I am almost afraid to do anything else to the suspension.

[NAVCHAP]

Had my Metco Watts Link installed at Collins L-M in Indy during MV2. It was a little tricky but the Master Tech, Danny Boone, did a super job.

It was obvious right away that I had less movement in the cabin from side to side.

4th Horseman and my brother were both there when I had it installed, and it took slightly longer than we thought.

Cost us our B-B-Q dinner at Kenny Brown's because the membership ate it all before we got there. But it was well worth it just to have that Watts Link installed.

The Metco folks are great also, they brought my Watts Link to Indy from North Carolina. Had it waiting for me in the box with my name on it at the Metco tent.

Let us know what you think of it Soul! Regards, -kjs-

[shakes_26]

My car has the front/rear swaybars, metco control arms, and watts link, anyone considering these mods, at MV3 is welcome to go for a drive. You wont be disappointed. The ride is firmer, but still very very comfortable, it handles like its on rails.

[David Morton]

:help: What is a WATTS link? What does it do?It's the three dimensional geometrical equivalent of the diagonal brace you see that builders put on walls before they put paneling on them. Without a link of some kind to locate the axle and prevent side to side motion the wheels would come out from under the wheel wells on turns. It doesn't do anything to prevent body tilting or roll. That's what sway bars are for.

Ever see an old '80s model CV or GM going over small bumps and notice how the rear end started to wiggle side to side? That's because it used a cheaper single bar that went from a bushing at one side of the rear axle and traversed about three and a half feet across the car to attach to a bushing at the body. This single bar was putting the side to side motion into the car because of the geometry, the planar location between axle and body changed as the axle traveled up and down. Imagine the lower control arms and their four bushings making the four corners of a rectangle. With the old single bar the short legs of this rectangle moved a little bit from side to side because the bar had to be at a slight diagonal sometime during the axles travel up and down. Up and it pushed the axle a little over to the right, down and it pulled the axle to the left. This is a bad thing two ways, wiggling the passengers and worse, shaking the axle side to side during turns that had bumps, compromising traction.

A Watts Link is two bars that each come from the body and connect to a bell crank located on the differential housing which cancels out the side to side deflections of each arm of the link assembly, giving a pefectly perpendicular up and down motion of the rear axle and wheels. It's the hot setup for drivers with solid rear axles that wanna push hard through those curves. Our car has this as a stock setup, but the arms are flimsy P's-O-S with mushy rubber bushings. The full Metco treatment is the only way to go!

SouLRiot be makin smoother curvy skid marks now! Bro', your car will now leap and land sure footed like the true life panther her chassis is named for. Congratulations. It's a very noticeable improvement. :D

[CRUZTAKER]

I'm interested in your results too, thanks.
ditto as well...

[jabo731]

ditto as well...
I have the Metco upper and lower control arms along with the QA 1 coilovers. I also have the rear swaybar from addco. Let me know if I heard wrong but I coould have sworn Dennis said to stay away from the Heavy duty front sway bar because of concerns of weight transfer problems. Guys help me with this go with the front bar or not

[sailsmen]

I drove an MM with the Metco watts and the back end was real twitchy. The solution was a beefier front sway. I didn't drive it with the beefier front sway but the owner reports it cured the problem.

I beefier front sway reduces weight transfer to the rear which results in less traction.

[juno]

Two questions.

At what points does the Metco Watts connect? Is it body mounted or differential mounted?

What is the spring rating on the QA-1 coil-overs? Does the kit replace the whole stock cpoil-over spring and strut? Is the kit spring rate different from stock?

Thanks!!

[SouLRioT]

A few things not to let you guys hanging........


Two questions.

At what points does the Metco Watts connect? Is it body mounted or differential mounted?

What is the spring rating on the QA-1 coil-overs? Does the kit replace the whole stock cpoil-over spring and strut? Is the kit spring rate different from stock?

Thanks!!

RoyLPita did the install on the WATTS link, so he'll have to answer you on that. And you'll have to ask someone with the QA-1's that info.


Let us know what you think of it Soul!

I've been real busy with my new place or its been raining....so I cant really comment on the watts link yet, but befor I had it installed I was running with the control arms, front and rear sways bars for a few days. With that the car felt really planted, so my big but now slides around. I'll report back as soon as I can....Bill

[TAF]

Two questions.

At what points does the Metco Watts connect? Is it body mounted or differential mounted?

What is the spring rating on the QA-1 coil-overs? Does the kit replace the whole stock cpoil-over spring and strut? Is the kit spring rate different from stock?

Thanks!!
The Metco WATTS link mounts in the same position as the OEM. However, it's made of solid, CNC'd aluminum ans has superior poly bushings. It greatly increases the tightness of the rearend and is a wonderful addition to the other suspension upgrades (Metco upper/lower control arms, Addco front/rear swaybars & the QA1 coil-overs and rear shocks)

The spring rate will depend on the setting you create with a spanner wrench. However, the spring is (I think) set for ranges between 365 & 465. Call Joel at Naake Suspension Specialist for the exact numbers. Naake Suspension Specialist Phone 916-771-0109 or click here for more info http://www.naake.com/MercMarauder.html (http://www.naake.com/MercMarauder.html)

[David Morton]

At what points does the Metco Watts connect? Is it body mounted or differential mounted?
Both. A Watts Link is an assembly. Two arms come from mounts on the body near the air bags and go to the bellcrank that's mounted on the differential insuring body-centered up and down travel of the rear end.

[juno]

Both. A Watts Link is an assembly. Two arms come from mounts on the body near the air bags and go to the bellcrank that's mounted on the differential insuring body-centered up and down travel of the rear end.
So, basically it's differential mounted? Do you know of anyone making a body/frame mount like the Evoulution Motorsports version for the stang?
The crank connects to the subframes and the whole link travels with the suspension as opposed to being fixed to the differential.

http://www.evolutionmsport.com/evmCart/index.php?main_page=product_in fo&cPath=1&products_id=1&zenid=369dda6780d5cea74741ffa3 0459145b

[Meteorite]

Yes, this was the Metco kit, I had already installed the Addco front and rear sway bars aswell as the Metco control arms.
I'm not sure why I can't post this as a reply to one of the posts in the Metco forum ... do I have to join the forum or something?

Anyhow ... here's my question. I've already installed the Addco front and rear stabilizer bars, and the Metco rear control arms. The Watts link is the last suspension item I have waiting to be put in.

Folks have talked about the torque needed to remove and then retighten the pivot nut (~200 ft-lbs). Is there any reason why the Watt's link itself has to be removed? I was under the car tonight while I was putting the control arms on, and it looked to me like I could simply remove each of the lateral arms and replace them with the Metco arms. Those fasteners take considerably less torque.

Am I missing something here? :(

[BK_GrandMarquis]

Folks have talked about the torque needed to remove and then retighten the pivot nut (~200 ft-lbs). Is there any reason why the Watt's link itself has to be removed? I was under the car tonight while I was putting the control arms on, and it looked to me like I could simply remove each of the lateral arms and replace them with the Metco arms. Those fasteners take considerably less torque.

Am I missing something here? :(

I installed the Watt's link myself. I thought the same thing as you did. I tried installing it without taking out the center pivot. You can't get one of the arms off the bolt without removing the entire assembly. I can't remember which one it was but I think it's the one closer to the driveshaft. You can remove and tighten the center pivot with a breaker bar. Not a lot of room to get a long one in there and not easy to do but I can be done. All depends on how bad you want it. ;)

[Meteorite]

I installed the Watt's link myself. I thought the same thing as you did. I tried installing it without taking out the center pivot. You can't get one of the arms off the bolt without removing the entire assembly. I can't remember which one it was but I think it's the one closer to the driveshaft. You can remove and tighten the center pivot with a breaker bar. Not a lot of room to get a long one in there and not easy to do but I can be done. All depends on how bad you want it. ;)
Thank you -- that was truly helpful! I will find a way to ... umm ... Git R Done!

[wesman]

To anybody thinking of doing the Naake coilover upgrade, the ride is much smoother than stock. Somehow they increased the travel of the front suspension, so it bottoms out less frequently. With the shocks set on soft its like riding in a limo. The shocks have a dial on the bottom that you twist and count the clicks. To the right is stiffer, to the left is softer. For sporty driving I set them on 6 of 12 front and 1 of 12 rear. For the limo ride I set them on 1/12 all around. You do have to get on your back to adjust them, the rears are easy to get to, the fronts require two hands, one finger each, after you have: a)turned the wheels or b) jacked up the car to make it easier. If you have any questions call Joel at Naake, he's very helpful.

The Watts link I changed at the same time as the control arms, so I don't know its contribution to the change, but overall the car feels much better, more controlled when hustling over broken pavement.

[BK_GrandMarquis]

To anybody thinking of doing the Naake coilover upgrade, the ride is much smoother than stock. Somehow they increased the travel of the front suspension, so it bottoms out less frequently. With the shocks set on soft its like riding in a limo. The shocks have a dial on the bottom that you twist and count the clicks. To the right is stiffer, to the left is softer. For sporty driving I set them on 6 of 12 front and 1 of 12 rear. For the limo ride I set them on 1/12 all around. You do have to get on your back to adjust them, the rears are easy to get to, the fronts require two hands, one finger each, after you have: a)turned the wheels or b) jacked up the car to make it easier. If you have any questions call Joel at Naake, he's very helpful.

The Watts link I changed at the same time as the control arms, so I don't know its contribution to the change, but overall the car feels much better, more controlled when hustling over broken pavement.
Along the same note, I just installed the dual adjustable shocks on my car. Haven't driven much on it yet but the fronts seem to track better now. Having the ability to adjust the rebound independently from the compression is a big plus for handling.

[MarauderMarc]

What can one expect to pay for a Watts Link? How about control arms? Are they expensive to install???

[SouLRioT]

What can one expect to pay for a Watts Link? How about control arms? Are they expensive to install???


I paid $330 each for the control arms and WATTS link from Metco, but that was with a group buy. Not sure on their regular retail price. You have to look around for install prices, but get with RoyLPita and Shakes for possible help in getting them installed.

And as far as handling, I could not really tell the differance with just installing the WATTS link, but the overall handling of the car is great, I'm still learning what this car can do now.

[metroplex]

Ford installed my WATTS LINK for free. It reduced my towing capacity but all in the name of better handling eh! It will also wiggle its a$$ like it was strutting down woodward ave, whenever you drive over a mesh surface on a bridge.

[Meteorite]

Ford installed my WATTS LINK for free. It reduced my towing capacity but all in the name of better handling eh! It will also wiggle its a$$ like it was strutting down woodward ave, whenever you drive over a mesh surface on a bridge.
Every 2003-2004 Marauder has a Watts Link in its rear suspension from the factory. Was this an aftermarket Watts Link you had installed? Or was it in a vehicle other than a Marauder?

[fastblackmerc]

Every 2003-2004 Marauder has a Watts Link in its rear suspension from the factory. Was this an aftermarket Watts Link you had installed? Or was it in a vehicle other than a Marauder?
There is a Watts link installed on every MM. There is also a Watts link on the CV's. What people are talking about here is upgrading the Watts link and upper and lower rear control arms. If you take a look under your MM at the control arms and Watts link you'll wonder how your rear end stays attached. All the stock parts are made of stamped steel. The aftermarket replacement parts are CNC machined aluminum, truly pieces of art...... well worth the purchase and installation (if you don't install them your self) price. See the pics. You can go to Metco's website http://www.metcomotorsports.com to order or request a catalog.

[Meteorite]

There is a Watts link installed on every MM. There is also a Watts link on the CV's. What people are talking about here is upgrading the Watts link and upper and lower rear control arms. If you take a look under your MM at the control arms and Watts link you'll wonder how your rear end stays attached. All the stock parts are made of stamped steel. The aftermarket replacement parts are CNC machined aluminum, truly pieces of art...... well worth the purchase and installation (if you don't install them your self) price. See the pics. You can go to Metco's website http://www.metcomotorsports.com to order or request a catalog.
Yes, I am aware of all this. I installed the Metco control arms last night, and will install the Metco Watts Link shortly. You are quite correct about the look of the stamped parts. I am a bit amazed that none of the S/Ced cars have buckled a control arm during "acceleration trials!"

My question was a follow-up to the post (just above yours) by metroplex, concerning different behaviour after having Ford install a Watts link. I was asking for clarification of that post.

[fastblackmerc]

Yes, I am aware of all this. I installed the Metco control arms last night, and will install the Metco Watts Link shortly. You are quite correct about the look of the stamped parts. I am a bit amazed that none of the S/Ced cars have buckled a control arm during "acceleration trials!"

My question was a follow-up to the post (just above yours) by metroplex, concerning different behaviour after having Ford install a Watts link. I was asking for clarification of that post.
Sorry... misread your post....

[metroplex]

EVERY 1998-up Panther has a WATT'S LINK in the rear suspension. :coolman:

The major problems that first arose (before they started tweaking the chassis and suspension on 03 Panthers) was the fact you had reduced towing capacity (500lb -1000lb) and the rear would shimmy when driving on mesh surfaces (some bridges have the wire mesh surfaces), like it was strutting its stuff on Woodward Ave (and I'm NOT talking about the Dream Cruise... LOL)

Going to aftermarket shocks for 98-02 Panthers solves the problem, and my guess is that the 2003-up Panthers with the revised inverted monotube shocks solved the problem as well.

I still don't see a problem with the 79-97 rear suspension, its basic design has been proven in quite a few vehicles for around 2 decades (Fox Chassis T-bird/Cougar, Mustang, LTD, etc...)