Good Ole Boy's Racin' League :: Sway Bars and Weight Transfer

Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2007 2:40 am

Sway bars are primarily used to control the weight that transfers from one side of the car to the other as it corners. The bigger the sway bar the less weight will transfer on that axle.

Springs act as "sway bars" controlling the weight transferred to each wheel. Lower rated springs allow more weight to transfer.

Shocks control the rate at which weight transfer occurs or basically control the speed of the weight transfer. High compression/rebound speed setting allows the weight to transfer quicker.

Weight transfer also occurs from front to rear as the car corners, and is controlled by shocks, springs, braking and brake bias, rear truck arm stiffness, & track bar (also known as Panard Bar)

Weight transfer is critical in cornering properly, as weight that moves too quickly to any wheel is BAD!!!! Proper weight transfer is the only way to corner fast and conserve those tires.

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