Ferrari Mailing List: Re: Leaf Springs vs. Coil Springs

[Hans E. Hansen (FList]

Altho GM has favored this setup for a couple of decades now, the race
team uses coil-overs.  However, this may be due to the ease of suspension
changes at track side.  The transverse leaf - especially in the front - is
a royal PITA to change in a shop, let alone in the pits during practice.
Been there, done that.

As the link given mentions, the front spring also acts as a sway bar,
however it is supplemented by a traditional steel bar also.

One huge benefit to the fiberglass leaf is weight.  When they first
came out with the plastic rear spring in 1981, GM had on display
both the multileaf steel spring and the new one.  The steel spring
was heavy, as you'd suspect.  The fiberglass one?  It has a center
mounting hole.  I could stick my pinky in that hole and wave the
spring around like a piece of balsa wood.  Huge weight difference.

Hans.

On 5/1/08, LS <lashdeep [at] yahoo.com> wrote:
> I'll admit to being inspired by Prof. Bowser's recent posts on ORR and his
> 308 tech.
>
> What are the peanut gallery's thoughts on the pros and cons of using a
> transverse leaf spring vs. coil springs?
>
> This is an interesting discussion:
>
> http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/forum/technical-forums/13582-corvette-leaf-springs.html
>
> LS
>
>
>      
> ____________________________________________________________________________________
> Be a better friend, newshound, and
> know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile.  Try it now.  
> http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ
> _________________________________________________________________
> To unsubscribe or modify your subscription options, please visit:
> http://lists.ferrarilist.com/mailman/options/ferrari/flist%40hanshansen.org
>
> Sponsored by BidNip.com eBay Auction Sniper
> http://www.BidNip.com/
> and F1 Headlines
> http://www.F1Headlines.com/
>