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B9. ANTI-ROLL BARS
Anti-roll bars are used to distribute the car’s side (lateral) grip. Anti-roll bars
resist chassis roll and by doing so transfer wheel load from the inside wheel
to the outside wheel; the harder the anti-roll bar, the more wheel load is
transferred. However, as the outside wheel is not able to convert the extra
wheel load into extra grip, the sum of the grip of both wheels is actually
reduced. This changes the balance of the car to the axle at the other end
of the car; increasing the hardness of an anti-roll bar on one particular axle
(front or rear) decreases the side grip of that axle and increases the side grip
of the axle at the other end of the car.
The overall grip of a car cannot be changed, but it can be balanced by
distributing wheel loads. Anti-roll bars are a very useful tool to change the
balance of a car. Note that chassis stiffness plays a very important role in
the effectiveness of anti-roll bars, and a stiffer chassis makes the car more
responsive to anti-roll bar changes.
FRONT ANTI-ROLL BAR
The front anti-roll bar affects mainly off-power
steering at corner entry.
Effects of Front Anti-roll Bar Adjustment
Softer
• Increases chassis roll
• Increases front grip (decreases rear grip)
• Decreases off-power steering at corner
entry
• Slower steering response
Stiffer
• Decreases chassis roll
• Decreases front grip (increases rear grip)
• Increases off-power steering at corner entry
• Quicker steering response
REAR ANTI-ROLL BAR
The rear anti-roll bar affects mainly on-power
steering and stability in mid-corner and corner
exit.
Effects of Rear Anti-roll Bar Adjustment
Softer
• Increases chassis roll
• Increases rear grip (decreases front grip)
• Decreases on-power steering
Stiffer
• Decreases chassis roll
• Decreases rear grip (increases front grip)
• Increases on-power steering
• Quicker steering response in high-speed chicanes