Suspension Q's and A's

[SinGularity]

Can anyone explain the different parts of the suspension?
as springs, struts
like what do they do separately..
and what do sway bars do?
 

[Dr Tweak]

Sure

Basically, springs are what hold the car up. The wheel is on the ground, the spring attaches to the wheel (sorta), and then to the body. It allows the car to float over bumps and whatnot so that the impact of bumps, potholes, etc don't break the car, and the people inside.

Struts and shocks are what keep the springs under control. Have you ever been in a car with really bad struts/shocks? When you go over a bump, the car keeps bouncing up and down, which is bad for handling and for keeping your lunch down. So, struts and shocks are needed to dampen the effect of the springs.

Now, swaybars. Swaybars are also known as anti-roll bars. Basically, they usually connect to the lower control arm on each side of the car. When the car is cornering, say turning towards the left, the right side of the car compresses the spring and goes down, while the left side of the car goes up. The anti-roll bar (swaybar) negates this effect by forcing the left side to compress as well, which improves handling.

And larger (stiffer) swaybar out back will cause the car to oversteer more (which is what we want on FWD Corollas), and a larger front swaybar will cause the car to understeer more.

More questions? Bring it!

[SinGularity]

what parts control the lowering and what part controls the stiffness?

[Dr Tweak]

As far as the ride height? The springs do. They also define the stiffness. However, you can't use shorter, stiffer springs with stock struts because for one, they will be to long (and will bottom out) and two, the won't be stiff enough and that will hurt performance.

That's why high performance springs need to be matched with performance struts.

[WholeMilkPowder]

What's a rear 4 link set for?  (Like the one battleversion makes I think)

Edit: I know they explained tightening car inputs and increased traction but how?

[Dr Tweak]

A four-link suspension is usually only used on RWD cars, like your AE86. Basically, it's better than a two link because it help to load the tires quickly and at the same time not comprimise the front tire's bite.

It would take a while to explain, do you want me to go into detail?  

*edit* By your edit, it looks like you do.

Okay, with a two link suspension, you basically have two choices. One, move the trailing arms so that they are higher up on the car, which when you accellerate, will help load the tire. This is because the rear axle moves forward, and then the back of the car goes up, putting more weight on the rear tires (not allowing it to squat down). However, this same effect is bad for traction on the front tires.

So to maximize front tire traction (especially while cornering), you want the trailing arms to be straighter, ie: not angled up as much. But then you loose the edge of the rear tires getting loaded better.

To have the best of both worlds, you use a four link suspension, which has two trailing arms angled up for the loading effect, and two arms straighter out for the front tire's traction.

[damon18]

More suspension questions:  What is an "active rear suspension" (like on the new 05 Mustang, GTO, etc.) and what makes it so desireable?

[Dr Tweak]

damn good questions and answers......any more and this will have to become an official sticky ....while your at it josh...or any one else for that matter please explain the benefits or problems with coil over suspension

A coil-over suspension basically does two things: lowers the car's ride height, and stiffens the effects of the springs. They are also adjustable.

Now, as a general rule, lowering a car is better because a low center of gravity reduces body roll and help the car turn better. Stiffer springs do the same.

Keep in mind, there are two different typs of coilovers: threaded type and sleeve type. The old adage applies: you get what you pay for. The threaded type usually run for more than $1000, the sleeve type on the other hand can be had for as little as $200.

The threaded type are very secure, stable, and quiet. The ever popular sleeve type make clunking noises, and may become loose while cornering, causing a dangerous condition. The only time that sleeve type coilovers should be used, IMO, is for a show only car that needs to be lowered for looks but will not actually be driven at the edge.

Coilovers are really best on a track car. The reason being, every time the car's ride height is changed, you need to get an alignment. A good spring/strut combo, on the other hand, are at a set height and generally provide better ride quality.

[Dr Tweak]

More suspension questions:  What is an "active rear suspension" (like on the new 05 Mustang, GTO, etc.) and what makes it so desireable?

I'm not sure what you mean by an "active rear suspension". The 2005 'Stang uses a three link rear suspension (similar to four link, see above), the GTO I'm not sure about except that it has an indipendant rear suspension.

[SinGularity]

thread rules!

at last i'm able to taste the fruits of my newbness

[Don Fusskinrolla]

JOsh regarding your answe to coilovers that are threaded or uses sleeves...

I'm assuming that your saying that the sleeve is what goes over the strut?  Kinda like Ground Control correct?

And where you are refering to the threaded... what you mean is that the strut is already threaded with a lip for the spring?

As for the sleeve type.. I've put my car though hell, and many many twisties... and i gotta say, the GCs have been my best investment yet!! :cool:

Suspension mods are the best mod dollar for dollar

[Dr Tweak]

Don,

Yes, the Ground Control are a good example of the cheaper sleeved type. The threaded work the same way basically, but instead of just sliding in and out, they are threaded the entire way.

Keep in mind, the correct use of coilovers is to level out the car in terms of tire load. The only way to do this right is to use a set of tire scales. The lowering effect is a side effect and is not their primary function.

However, I'm glad that you are happy with your purchase. Some people swear by coilovers and others think they're terrible.

Once thing's for sure: suspension and brake mods should ALWAYS be first on the list!  :-)

[Don Fusskinrolla]

I hear ya on the lowering part.

My problem is that my car didn't come with swaybars.  And i know that if I put swaybars my car will be just nasty.

Any idea on how I can make a custom swaybar for a car that didn't come with one?

[SinGularity]

is it resonable to have 600 for struts/springs?

[Don Fusskinrolla]

considering that a kit with just the springs will probably cost you about $200.
If you get good quality struts that are about $65/each.. that's now $260.
Then add a chamber kit which is about another $100...

your looking at already $560.  And that's not including installation done by a mechanic.  That's a 3hr job @ $65/hr... so $195.

And all this is not including tax and shipping... so.. ABOUT RIGHT.

Modding ain't cheap kid :lol:

[TRD93LE]

I have a set of H&R springs matched to the KYB's GR-2's which in reality is a TRD strut, they just rebadge them. Camber correction bolts from H&R  for the rear strut. Now, I am looking for a set of suspension Techniques sway bars which are TRD sway bars, they just rebadged them as well. I have the 1993 Toyota Corolla the End links of the REAR sway bars are tubular. The 96-02 end links are thick and flat, I think that is a better setup. If anyone has a set of those I will buy them from you, since no company out there make them aftermarket and they do not come with any suspension kits that I know of. oh, yes I also changed my top mounts to TRD top mounts, KYB makes them as well, but mine are rebadged TRD.

BTW, my suspension kicks as now!!  :-o

[TRD93LE]

Check this link ou , For Your Information , FYI.

http://www.addco.net/aftermarket.htm

[TRD93LE]

Front set should look like this one here but in "RED"