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Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!we13!ihnp4!ihuxl!seifert
From: seifert@ihuxl.UUCP (D.A. Seifert)
Newsgroups: net.auto
Subject: Re: Suspension systems
Message-ID: <1068@ihuxl.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 30-Apr-84 20:07:26 EDT
Article-I.D.: ihuxl.1068
Posted: Mon Apr 30 20:07:26 1984
Date-Received: Tue, 1-May-84 19:03:53 EDT
References: <7368@decwrl.UUCP> <311@unmvax.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Naperville, IL
Lines: 47


> Air is not easily compressible. Thus, the more
> you try to compress it, the harder is resists.

That's quite interesting.  Sounds like it would make a
nice, inexpensive substitute for brake fluid.  Anyone
know any good lawyers? "But your Honor, I read it on USENET!
It *must* be true!"	:-)

Sears, et al, must be laughing all the way to the bank selling
"air compressors" for that non-compressable air.

	-sigh-

> Going around a corner where the body wants to lift on one side is a BIG
> problem. The shocks don't like to expand either, so they control this, though
> usually well out of proportion to their resistance to compression. Sway bars
> help in that they effectively tie (to a degree) the two sides of
> the auto together forcing it to try to push the inside into the pavement,
> improving traction.

Actually, anti-roll bars do NOT push the inside tires harder to
the pavement, they lift them up! The *outside* tires are pressed harder
to the pavement. Unfortunately, the outside tires gain less than the
inside tires lose (traction, not force!  [*] ), so you can end up with
*less* cornering power! (surprise) But less roll means less camber
and toe changes, so you gain some traction back. And you don't
have all that weight slopping back and forth trying to get out
of control. (the big win)

[*] putting twice the force on a tire does not result in twice
    the traction  :-(

> Big cars have alot of mass. 2,000 punds being loaded down on the
> suspension takes a LONG time to stop. 

I guess 1 'pund' must equal 2 pounds?  A 2000 pound car is considered
fairly light in most circles. (at least if we're discussing *street*
cars)  A large Detroit land yacht weighs (or used to weigh)
4000-5000 lbs.

-- 
	_____
       /_____\	   	    That auto-crossing beagle,
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