Originally posted by AutoXFool:
How does one determine wheel rate anyways? If it's in that link, it wouldn't connect for me (I have a very old Mac though). |
|
If I understnad it correctly, the simplest way to get a ballpark figure is to compare the distance from the control arm inner pivot to the point where spring acts on the control arm, divided by the length from the control arm pivot to the ball joint. Not entirely accurate, but close enough.
For example, take a control arm that is 10 inches long from the inner pivot to the ball joint. If the spring pushes on the ball joint (or through it in the case of a Mac Strut), wheel rate is effectively spring rate.
Now, suppose your spring is mounted 6" from the inner pivot (like on a Honda LCA), your effective wheel rate would be 6/10, or 60% of the spring rate. So, 500 lb springs would yield roughly a 300 lb wheel rate in the above example.
Course, I may have the numbers reversed somewhere, but I'm doing this in my head. You also have to take into effect angle of spring tilt, as unless the spring is perpendicular to the LCA, all of the force is not vertical (Cos of the angle, or Sin, depending on how you measure the angle)., but this will get you close.
------------------
David Avard
'90 Mazda Protege LX
'02 Nissan Altima 3.5SE
[This message has been edited by Davard (edited August 16, 2002).]
David Avard
89 Honda Civic Si black (STS)
07 Mazda 3s (HS?)