First is how does the actual pull versus push work on the suspension dampers on the inside. Since you're changing the angle of the rod, you must also be considerably changing the angle or even entire location of the shocks or torsion bars.
The dampers and third spring are mounted completely differently, yes. Basically a pull rod setup is 'upside down' to a push rod. Compare these neat drawings of
push and
pull.
This tells you what each part is.
Second he spoke about the tradeoff of x degradation of the tires per lap and the additional force applied on those tires via the Mclaren and Ferrari method versus the others, made it seem that the pull rods had less wear and tear on the fronts but didn't exactly say what the tradeoffs was other than the aero. Is the only other trade of being able to get the tires to temperature or are there other benefits? And how would a team make such a decision during the design phase of the car because it seems that's something you have to commit to from the beginning... so what's the break point that a team decides to go push versus pull?
Well, firstly note that he implied that the pull rod cars will be harder on the front tyre wear as it puts more stress through the tyre (this is how they heat up faster), not that the pull rod setup reduces tyre wear. The true trade off is aero vs tyre wear vs tyre heating, all three are considered. How the teams reach a decision on this will be (i suspect) based mostly on prior data and knowledge and where they think the biggest gain is to be made relative to what they had before. It is not black and white by any means - a suspension arrangement that increases tyre wear may also allow aero gains that reduce tyre wear overall!
He also spoke about 'roll axis' but I wasn't clear as to what he actually meant was rolling, is that the roll of the tire in the horizontal plane or the roll of the rods themselves?
Lateral chassis roll around the roll centre? I'm not sure which part you refer to exactly cause he also touched on pitch (longitudinal) roll under braking, but i think that is what you are asking.
Hope i kinda answered your questions... disclaimer: pure dynamics aren't really my expertise, plus it's 3am and i've had a buncha beers...!
