SUSPENSION TUNING TIPS

SUSPENSION TUNING TIPS

Increasing front track-width will result in more understeer, while

decreasing it will result in less understeer and faster steering

response.

In general, more suspension travel (less downstop) makes the

car more responsive but less stable. It is also better on a bumpy

track.

Decreasing the ride-height (lowering the car) gives you more

grip. However, because of changes in suspension geometry and

decreasing ground clearance, there are also negative consequences

to doing this.

In general, more negative camber means increased grip.

Nevertheless, it should always be adjusted such that the front

tires wear flat, while the rear tires should wear slightly conical

to the inside.

Toe-in is used to stabilize the car. In the case of oversteer (the

rear end losing traction before the front), adding extra rear toe-

in may help, but this makes on-power cornering a little more

difficult. If the car is too stable and pushing (understeering),

removing some front toe-in will remedy this. 

Anti-roll bars are used to adjust the car's side- raction. In general,

increasing the hardness of an anti-roll bar on one particular axle

decreases the side-traction of that axle and increases the side-

traction of the other axle. For example, if you make the front

anti-roll bar harder, you decrease the side-traction of the front

and increase the side-traction of the rear. This will result in less

steering (more understeer).

Changing the front anti-roll bar has more effect on turning-in

(entering a turn, decelerating, off-power).

Changing the rear anti-roll bar has more effect on powering-out

(exiting a turn, accelerating, on-power).