<VV> early suspension changes question

[Joel McGregor]

Sorry my link didn't come through.
Could you please send me some photos of a non-swing axle car "jacking"?  I've never experienced it and have never seen it.  I would say it's not possible due to the suspension geometry of other cars.  
I have seen and experienced jacking in Corvairs when pushed past their limits even with no apparent "upsetting" done by the surface or driver.  I've looped my Late Corvairs, Malibus, Seville, Fiero and El Caminos more times than I can count and they have never jacked or worn the sidewalls.
I'll have to admit that I've never actually seen any of my earlies jack because I've always been driving them.  I'm just assuming that is what is happening when they let loose and the sidewalls end up worn.
Swing axles have tons of camber change and the term "Camber compensator" for the transverse leaf was around long before the '64 Corvair in the VW world.  It was called that because it was intended to prevent extreme camber change in hard corners or "jacking".
I agree that lowering a swing axle car will help prevent jacking.  I would imagine that it is mainly because of the change in axle angle.  Shorter stiffer springs are also a good idea.  I would think wider tires would also help.
I believe that a swing axle car will jack anytime that the down force of the axle(lever) + the spring force + the lateral acceleration force on that wheel/axle overcomes the downward force of the portion of the car's weight that is acting on that corner of the vehicle.

Joel

-----Original Message-----
From: virtualvairs-bounces at corvair.org [mailto:virtualvairs-bounces at corvair.org] On Behalf Of Ken Pepke
Sent: Tuesday, September 20, 2011 8:30 AM
To: Vair Views
Subject: <VV> early suspension changes question


I received no 'site.'  But I have seen pictures and I have been there in person.


Now you are talking about a whole different situation.  Virtually any car will 'jack' on the outside wheel(s) and even roll over if the driver or the road surface does something to 'upset' the vehicle under near maximum cornering.  But it never 'just happens,' there must be some other force than cornering force applied.  One might argue that it happens to a Corvair easier and/or faster than other contemporary cars but a new light is shed on that when one comes to realize the Corvair is moving a lot faster than the other cars of its day.  

The softer rear spring reduces the percentage of roll resistance at the rear and increases the percentage of roll resistance at the front axle so as to reduce the tendency toward oversteer.

Ken P
Wyandotte, MI
Worry looks around; Sorry looks back, Faith looks up.