Sway Bar Rate / Handling Chart - "What If" Scenarios
Sway Bar Rate Increase by Diameter
(NOTE: These rates are based on using the same bar design)
|
|
1/2" |
9/16" |
5/8" |
11/16" |
3/4" |
13/16" |
7/8" |
15/16" |
1" |
1 1/16" |
S |
1/2" |
0% |
60% |
257% |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
T |
9/16" |
|
0% |
52% |
123% |
216% |
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|
|
|
|
O |
5/8" |
|
|
0% |
46% |
107% |
186% |
284% |
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|
|
C |
11/16" |
|
|
|
0% |
42% |
95% |
162% |
246% |
|
|
K |
3/4" |
|
|
|
|
0% |
38% |
85% |
144% |
216% |
|
|
13/16" |
|
|
|
|
|
0% |
35% |
77% |
129% |
192% |
D |
7/8" |
|
|
|
|
|
|
0% |
32% |
71% |
117% |
I |
15/16" |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0% |
29% |
65% |
A |
1" |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0% |
27% |
Handling Chart - "What If" Scenarios
UNDERSTEER |
OVERSTEER |
Too large front bar vs rear sway bar.
Too small front tires or narrow rim width.
Heavy front weight bias.
Narrow front track.
Too stiff front springs.
Low front tire pressure.
Oversize rear tires.
Steep roll axis.
|
Too large rear vs front sway bar.
Raised rear end.
Undersized tires or narrow rims.
Low rear tire pressure.
Large rear overhang
Too stiff rear springs.
|
REAR BREAK-AWAY |
SLIDE |
Stiff springs and/or shocks on rough corners.
Excessive rear overhang.
No rear sway bar to equal road shock between rear wheels.
High tire pressure.
|
Too much speed for conditions.
Tire compound or tire design.
|
EXCESSIVE BODY ROLL |
ADHESION LOSS |
High center of gravity (CG).
Sway bar(s) too small.
Narrow track.
Overloaded springs and shocks.
|
Too stiff spring(s).
Narrow tire contact patch.
Too high tire pressure.
Too stiff shocks.
|
WHEEL HOP |
WHEEL LIFT |
Poor shocks
. Worn suspension bushings.
No traction bars.
No rear sway bar
|
Poor weight distribution.
Steep roll axis.
Too small a sway bar on opposite end of car
|
HIGHWAY WANDER |
BOTTOMING |
Play in steering
Incorrect alignment.
Large "sail" area such as the side of an SUV.
Rear wheel steer.
Worn shocks and suspension bushings.
Wrong size or no sway bar(s).
|
Overloaded springs.
Worn shocks.
Lack of suspension travel.
|
HIGH SPEED INSTABILITY |
|
Aerodynamic lift.
Soft shocks.
Light sway bar(s).
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