Don't dismiss my crazy idea so quickly. I know it was risky to even post this, but how could they rotate or "walk" fore and aft? I mean the chapman strut is cast alu and attached to the frame. The lotus arms are not what is stopping rotational forces, but rather the strut. The arm would not be strong enough to stop rotation alone.
As far as fore and aft forces, the tire walking forward into the body, the two independent would remain in control just as before. The rods would not let the chapman cast alu carrier move forward or "walk" up into the wheel well because they make a triangle at the bottom using the carrier as the apex.
As far as steering -- how could that happen? the frame would not allow the rod ends to move, so the chapman strut couldn't steer. Audi URquattros have tie rod ends in the rear to adjust toe. They don't steer under power.
Further, you must agree that braking involves more force than acceleration, yet my audi S4 has simple rod end adjustable rods holding the front suspension with rotational forces located by the shock tower -- just like a chapman strut. See picture.
http://shop.achtuning.com/index.asp?Pag ... ProdID=272
I already have mine modified with rod ends, I just think they would be so easy to build with nice turnbuckle style audi like arms. If there was no chapman strut, those control arms would twist like donuts. Here is a picture of my elan attached.
This is like the cannondale front suspension on their mountain bikes. Everyone said it would pull under braking, but it works fine because the force remains in the same place during braking. Look at this image:
http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/innovat ... ty_elo.jpg
At first blush it looks crazy but it works well.
Pete