Re: alfa-digest V9 #598

[George Graves <gmgraves@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

There's essentially nothing wrong wit leaf springs on independent 
suspensions at either end of the car if they are designed properly. 
Some early Ferraris used a transverse leaf spring on their front 
suspension as did a number of lesser cars. Most notably, if memory 
serves, was the Opel GT, the 'mini-Corvette' of the early 1970's.

George Graves
'86 GTV-6 3.0S



On Monday, June 23, 2003, at 05:52 AM, alfa-digest wrote:


> Date: Sun, 22 Jun 2003 21:57:11 -0500
> From: "Ellen K. Wilkinson" <wilk@domain.elided>
> Subject: Re: Swing axles
>
> 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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