pic: Don't do this. It's a bad idea.

[AdamHeard]

Originally Posted by Tristan Lall

Wouldn't this work better with constant velocity joints (rather than universal joints)?

And are you using the universal joint as two of the members in a four-bar linkage that holds up the wheel? If so, isn't it just going to deflect to the maximum? (Or am I missing a spring somewhere?)

This would be a fun stock design to keep around...just to tempt people when FIRST decides to give us some real obstacles.

I Agree with your complaints about suspension geometry.

Also, The suspension on this seems to indicate a purpose of driving over varied terrain. With the completely open differential on there, the wheel with less resistance (often in the air, not making any contact) will get all of the rotation, leaving a torque on the static wheel equivalent to just the friction in the differential.