Re: Swing axles

["Ellen K. Wilkinson" <wilk@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Actually, the advantage of transverse springs and similar devices (camber
compensators, z-bars, Helwig stabilizers) on swing axle rear suspensions is
REDUCTION in roll stiffness compared to springs at each wheel.  The idea is
to prevent weight jacking by shifting as much roll stiffness (and thus
unloading of the inside wheel) as possihle to the front.  Some of the
Formula Vee cars had zero rear roll stiffness--a single coil in the middle
or a pivoting (on the transaxle) leaf.  Were it not for the front wheels,
the car would simply flop over on its side with any lateral force applied
to the CG. 

Bob Wilkinson
72 Spider 

Michael Smith wrote:

Finally, another interesting characteristic of the transverse leaf spring 
is built in anti roll stiffness. The Corvette used a single leaf transverse 
spring in their irs, and I even think it was fiberglass. The Corvette, of 
course, has essentially the same rear suspension as Jaguars of the same 
era, except for the leaf instead of coilovers.
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