Wondering what weight of spring to use?

How spring preload affects both handling and performance.

Understanding spring weight or stiffness and spring preload can be very confusing. For that matter any rc suspension tuning can get very confusing.

Because changing one thing alters many different aspects of your suspension and performance. Keeping it all straight is difficult.

I find it much easier if I assign specific function to each different suspension function.

For example I control chassis roll with ride height and chassis bottoming out to shock damping with either shock pistons or shock oil viscosity.

This leaves maximizing traction to the springs and spring preload.

You do not need to copy my system, just come up with one that suits you and your driving style.

The only thing to keep in mind is what ever system you use to control and adjust every aspect of your rc suspension is that you stay consistent.

That way if you want to change "X" you adjust "Y". "X" being chassis roll, bottoming out, pushing in the corner and etc... With "Y" being shock angle, spring weight or spring preload, wheelbase and etc...

Coming up with your own system is going to take time and some trial and error. This is where setup sheets come in very handy.

I has amazed me just how much better my handling and performance has got since I have assigned a function to each of the different aspects of rc suspension tuning.

Plus, it is much easier and faster to make a change when I know what to change.

Now let us take a closer look at spring weight and spring preload to maximize traction.

You goal is to get the same about of down pressure on all tires or the same on both front tires and the same down pressure on both rear tires.

The best technique to balance down pressure is by the use of a scales. To get your rc vehicle balanced is to have the same weight on all four tires or depending on your setup the same weight on the two front tires and the same on the rear tires.

Why not a stiffer spring? A stiffer spring will not compress any at static ride height. This will result in your spring having little or no effect on your suspension when it goes into droop.

Droop is the amount of down travel above ride height. A soft spring with a lot of preload will extend your suspension downward when you are going over ruts, bumps and jumps.

This will make your rc vehicle more stable when it is going through these sections.

Plus, with a lot of preload will help with the launch off of jumps, causing you to fly higher and farther, to clear that big triple.

Using softer springs will give your rc vehicle the ability to absorb those bumps, ruts and potholes while maintaining traction.

Your ultimate goal to always maintain maximum traction.



Is your rc vehicle pushing or tight in a corner? Do you have under or over steer? Changing the spring or preload bias toward the front or rear can help correct these problems.

Soften the front spring or reduce preload will result in your front tires sticking better in the corner for an example.

How a softer spring affects handling:
1. Increases chassis roll.
2. Better traction.
3. Increase the chance of bottoming out on landing after jumps.
4. Better for bumpy tracks.
5. Better on large open tracks.

How stiffer springs affect handling:
1. Reduces chassis roll.
2. Reduces traction.
3. Reduces the chance of bottoming out after jumps.
4. Your car or truck will react faster to steering inputs.
5. Better on smooth tracks.
6. Better on tight smooth tracks.

How softer front springs affect handling:
1. Adds more steering mid corner and at corner exit.
2. Can result in under steer during braking.

How stiffer front springs affect handling:
1. Increases mid corner and corner exit under steer.
2. Reduces under steer during braking.
3. Increases your rc vehicle responsiveness, but will make it more "nervous".

How softer rear springs affect handling:
1. Increases forward traction.
2. Improves side traction mid corner.
3. Good through bumpy sections.



With the knowledge you are gaining, all you need to do is apply it.

Learn to read your track, is it blue grooved, loose and dusty, full of ruts and potholes, big jumps or tight and fast.

With a few test runs you will know what adjustments if any you a going to need to make. As your knowledge and experience grows you will be able to make many of these adjustments before you get on the track.

Always remember this hobby is about having FUN. Plus, remember to help the new guy, help to make this hobby fun for all involved.

	Enter your search termsSubmit search form
	Web www.Rc-TrucknCar-Tuning.com