Handling Diagnosis Table
This is not a specific table, more a general guide. As should be obvious, different cars will react differently to suspension changes.
| Problem Occurs: | Problem: | Possible Solutions: |
| In All Turns, or only in Low Speed turns |
Steady state understeer | If front tire temperatures are optimum and
rears are low, stiffen rear antiroll bar; if front temperatures are too hot, soften front
(most likely) If front tire pressures are optimum, decrease rear tire pressure. Increase if chunking occurs Improper front camber Too much body roll at front, causing excessive camber change |
| Steady state oversteer | If rear tire temperatures are optimum,
low-speed turns only with fronts too low, stiffen front antiroll bar; if rear temperatures
are too hot, soften rear antiroll bar (most likely) If rear tire pressures are optimum, decrease front tire pressure. Increase if chunking occurs. Improper rear camber |
|
| Only in High Speed turns | Steady State understeer | If front tire temperatures are OK, increase
front downforce If front tire temperatures are too hot, reduce rear downforce |
| Steady State oversteer | If rear tire temperatures are OK, increase
rear downforce If rear tire temperatures are too hot, reduce front downforce |
|
| Corner Entry Understeer | Front shocks are too soft in bump resistance Too much front toe-in; use a small amount of front toe-out Ride height is too high in front |
|
| Corner Entry Oversteer | Rear shocks are too soft in rebound Rear ride height is too high (too much rake) compared to front |
|
| Corner Exit Understeer | Rear shocks are too soft in bump Front shocks are too stiff in rebound |
|
| Corner Exit Oversteer | Rear shocks are too soft in rebound Too much rear toe-in or any rear toe-out |
|
| Straightline Instability | Tire pressure is too low in one or more tires Too little positive front castor Too much front toe-in or any rear toe-out Shock rate is too stiff for bumpy surfaces |
|
| Straightline speed to slow | Too much overall downforce Too much toe-in or toe-out Ride height is too high Too much chassis rake |
|
| In All Turns | Excessive Steering Effort | Too much positive castor Front tire pressures are too low |
| Chassis or Suspension Bottoms out. | Spring rates are too soft bottoms Shock absorber bump rates are too soft Inadequate suspension travel Inadequate ride height |
Maintained by Ben Dixon
