dumb question about understeer.....

lemming · 09-30-2009, 07:45 PM

.....does modifying the rear sway bar really (notably) affect the tendency of FWDers or AWDers to understeer?

i'm dubious because most FWDers and AWDers still have the 60/40 weight distribution.

equ · 09-30-2009, 07:54 PM

A lot of a4 and s4 people put in an rs4 sway...

lemming · 09-30-2009, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by equ

A lot of a4 and s4 people put in an rs4 sway...

there's a lot of people who put M badges on non-M cars, too........fact is still fact, but not necessarily congruent with the inquiry, no?

rumatt · 09-30-2009, 09:43 PM

Yes.

I vaguely remember E46Fanatics threads where they ended up in the ditch backward during a rain storm after installing UUC sways and setting the rear to full stiff.

A stiffer rear sway also increases rear wheel lift thought, so you spin one wheel more easily. It's not a perfect solution.

John V · 09-30-2009, 10:03 PM

Sway bars tend to decrease grip at the end of the car at which they're installed.

So yes.

ff · 09-30-2009, 10:18 PM

What's the relationship again? Stiffer sway = less grip?

FC · 09-30-2009, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ff

What's the relationship again? Stiffer sway = less grip?

That's the only reasonable answer I can see. Stiffer sawy leads to less independent movement of the wheels, which leads to less compliance with the road, which (adversly) affects the size of the tire patch making contact.

But I admitedly know nothing about car suspensions.

*clyde* · 09-30-2009, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lemming

.....does modifying the rear sway bar really (notably) affect the tendency of FWDers or AWDers to understeer?

i'm dubious because most FWDers and AWDers still have the 60/40 weight distribution.

Instead of starting with a solution, what is the problem you're trying to solve?

John V · 10-01-2009, 05:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FC

That's the only reasonable answer I can see. Stiffer sawy leads to less independent movement of the wheels, which leads to less compliance with the road, which (adversly) affects the size of the tire patch making contact.

But I admitedly know nothing about car suspensions.

Actually, the size of the contact patch doesn't change.

FC · 10-01-2009, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John V

Actually, the size of the contact patch doesn't change.

You mean collectively? I would think it would vary on any given tire.

09-30-2009, 07:45 PM	#1
lemming Western Anomaly Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: White Orca Posts: 16,594	dumb question about understeer..... .....does modifying the rear sway bar really (notably) affect the tendency of FWDers or AWDers to understeer? i'm dubious because most FWDers and AWDers still have the 60/40 weight distribution. __________________

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
super dumb question	clyde	Technical Superiority	15	05-27-2008 01:50 PM
Got understeer ?	rumatt	Car Talk	2	01-14-2006 12:41 PM

09-30-2009, 07:54 PM	#2
equ Alphanumeric Join Date: Aug 2005 Carmudgeonly Ride: 981S, 340i Posts: 9,583	A lot of a4 and s4 people put in an rs4 sway...

09-30-2009, 09:43 PM	#4
rumatt Mugwump Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: E46 330i, Chevy Colorado, Tesla Model 3 Location: NY Posts: 17,475	Yes. I vaguely remember E46Fanatics threads where they ended up in the ditch backward during a rain storm after installing UUC sways and setting the rear to full stiff. A stiffer rear sway also increases rear wheel lift thought, so you spin one wheel more easily. It's not a perfect solution.

09-30-2009, 10:03 PM	#5
John V No more BMWs Join Date: Apr 2005 Carmudgeonly Ride: Ram, MS3, CX-5, RX-8 Location: Glenwood, MD Posts: 14,753	Sway bars tend to decrease grip at the end of the car at which they're installed. So yes.

09-30-2009, 10:18 PM	#6
ff . Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 13,514	What's the relationship again? Stiffer sway = less grip?