Scrap Mechanic suspension
100% 3d printed with no hardware and fully operational
you dont really need good printer tolerance either my ender 3 is a pos lmao so you should be fine, just printing the spring is a bit hard. also if you ever want to customize this specifically for your printer or use case, i uploaded step and fusion360 files, but if you want i could make any modifications for you as well. (feel free to reach out on discord @hello_human)
print instructions:
youll need
- 1x (gray) base1
- 1x (gray) base2
- 2x (gray) big_nut
- 2x (gray) small_nut
1x (gray) rod
(print these at 45 degree angle if you want stronger threads)
- 1x (black) stabilizer_bottom
- 1x (black) stabilizer_top
- 7x (any color) pin
- 1x (any color) wrench
as for the spring, i printed it with flexible pla (link) but tpu should probably work as well. this is a mk1 suspension, so the spring is the only thing that can be recolored in game (although you do whatever you want irl obv), i picked red as that's all i have.
I uploaded a 100, 115, 125, 135, and 150 percent scales of the spring (its in the file name) which is so you can have the spring pre tensioned when installed, I've found 135% worked best for me but you can try whatever. i printed it with 10% infill as well, which should affect the stiffness.
post processing
all of these aren't necessary, but if you want it to slide the best id recommend it. the friction gets alot better fairly quickly by just moving it up and down from my experience.
id recommend sanding the parts that slide against each other, which is:
- side walls in top and base pieces
- inside of the rod
- outer wall of both stabilizers
- sanding the outside of the rod might mess up the colors, so i wouldnt recommend it
install instructions
mb if this is a bit wordy, i uploaded a cross section photo which should help but the order kinda matters to make it easiest
put all the pins in one base (the larger one), and one top (smaller) part, then slide the best looking side of the spring into the slot in the base. after that you can insert the rod, and put the other side of the base on (it might be a bit tight from the pins but you should be fine)
After that put the larger stabilizer in the rod, the threads on the stabilizer should stick out the bottom of the base like shown in the section image. you can spread the two bases to help the threads get through the hole. rotate the black stabilizer until the two pins are aligned with the holes, and pull it all the way out. then put the large nut on the stabilizer and tighten it (DON'T OVER TIGHTEN IT, unless you printed it at a 45 degree angle, the threads can pop off very easy, you don't need to tighten them much) i included a wrench as these aren't standard nut sizes as far as I'm aware. then put the two small nuts on the threads on the base.
after doing all that, slide the smaller stabilizer into the rod with the threads pointing out, then get one of the top pieces and slide the top of the springs slot into it, put the top piece around the rod. and then put the other top piece on the other side. do the same thing you did with the stabilizer on the bottom, put the top nut on, and you should be done.