Suspension & Brakes Theory, alignment, spring rates....

Why are RSX rates higher in the rear?

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Old Mar 17, 2005 | 07:40 PM
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rdblckSV650S's Avatar
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Default Why are RSX rates higher in the rear?

I don't drive an RSX, i'd like to. But one thing i've noticed that i cannot figure out is that RSXs have much higher spring rates in the rear which seems to be the opposite for most other cars.
What's the reason for this, and is it good for performance?

Also, without going coilover, who makes the best performing spring for the RSX?
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Old Mar 17, 2005 | 08:12 PM
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azian21485's Avatar
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Default Re: Why are RSX rates higher in the rear? (b0b0o7o7)

it's very interesting that honda would put higher spring rates in the back...are you sure about these rates? do you know the rates they're using?

very generally, higher spring rates in back = more oversteer....but there's about a million other factors involved

the rsx uses double wishbone in the rear or macpherson all around? that could have something to do with it as well...but i doubt you'll ever find the real answer unless you speak to one of the engineers lol
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Old Mar 17, 2005 | 08:45 PM
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From: SoCal Redneck
Default Re: Why are RSX rates higher in the rear? (b0b0o7o7)

Because it`s not double wish all around. You should see the rates race teams use on the rears of these vehicle. 2000+lbs...
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Old Mar 18, 2005 | 02:54 AM
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Default Re: Why are RSX rates higher in the rear? (b0b0o7o7)

Springs need to support the weight that's on them. To determine spring rate manufacturers are concerned with 2 things the weight on that end of the car and the motion ratio (wheel travel divided by spring travel or is it the other way around??) . The RSX has MacPherson struts at the front. They have a motion ratio of nearly 1. That means that for every inch the wheel travels the spring travel almost 1 inch. At the rear the RSX has double wishbones which have a very different motion ratio. For every inch of wheel travel the spring travels a percentage of an inch. So the spring needs to be stronger because the wheel has more mechanical advantage than at the front.
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Old Mar 18, 2005 | 04:06 PM
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Lo-Buck EF's Avatar
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Default Re: Why are RSX rates higher in the rear? (vtecvoodoo)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by vtecvoodoo &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> You should see the rates race teams use on the rears of these vehicle. 2000+lbs...</TD></TR></TABLE>
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Old Mar 18, 2005 | 05:19 PM
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Default Re: Why are RSX rates higher in the rear? (b0b0o7o7)

i think you also try to get the spring to be twice as stiff in the rear as the front for the best setup. thats how the RTR car was setup.

but there are other things that it seems the car is more specific too that maybe didn't matter for the integra, such as trying to keep the tie rods in front at the same angle and being able to align the car how you want it if lowered too much.
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