Wheel Rates for strut suspensions

[Bjkadron]

Hello all,



I know how to work all the linkage ratos and stuff to figure out wheel rates for SLA front suspension but how do you figure them out for struts? I'm pretty sure it wont be direct because of the angles involved.

Thanks!

[Norm Peterson]

You can work it up in almost identical fashion to doing a SLA.

Consider modelling a fictitious upper arm attached to the top strut mount that is constrained to be perpendicular to the strut axis. The length of this "upper arm" is immaterial, so choose something that won't ever get in your way (10" is probably as good as anything). Expect to see motion ratios up around 0.95 or a little higher.

There are some generally smaller effects, including FVSA effects and from the spring axis not necessarily being parallel/concentric with the strut itself (usually they aren't, quite).


Norm

[Bjkadron]

Cool thanks... I was just trying to get a close estimate for record purposes!