Spring Rate Changes |
| Modification | Effect on Suspension |
| Increase front and rear rate |
Ride harshness increases; tires may not follow bumps causing reduced traction. Roll resistance increases. |
| Increase front rate only |
Front ride rate increases. Front roll resistance increases, increasing understeer or reducing oversteer. |
| Increase rear rate only |
Rear ride rate increases. Rear roll resistance increases, increasing oversteer or reducing understeer. |
| Decrease front and rear rate |
Ride harshness decreases; tires follow bumps more effectively, possibly improving traction. Roll resistance decreases. |
| Decrease front rate only |
Front ride rate decreases. Front roll resistance decreases, decreasing understeer or increasing oversteer. |
| Decrease rear rate only |
Rear ride rate decreases. Rear roll resistance decreases, decreasing oversteer or increasing understeer. |
Antiroll Bar Changes |
| Modification | Effect on Suspension |
| Increase front rate |
Front roll resistance increases, increasing understeer or
decreasing oversteer. May also reduce camber change, allowing better
tire contact patch compliance with the road surface, reducing
understeer. |
| Increase rear rate |
Rear roll resistance increases, increasing oversteer or decreasing
understeer. On independent rear suspensions, may also reduce camber
change, allowing better contact patch compliance with road surface,
reducing oversteer. |
| Decrease front rate |
Front roll resistance decreases, decreasing understeer or
increasing oversteer. More body roll could reduce tire contact patch
area, causing understeer. |
| Decrease rear rate |
Rear roll resistance decreases, decreasing oversteer or increasing
understeer. On independent rear suspensions, more body roll could
reduce tire contact patch area, causing oversteer. |
Shock Absorber Changes |
| Modification | Effect on Suspension |
| Increase rebound and bump rates |
Ride harshness increases. |
| Increase rebound rates only |
On bumps, tires may leave track surface. |
| Increase bump rates only |
Body roll resisted; outside tire loaded too quickly; car won't stabilize into a turn. |
| Decrease rebound and bump rates |
Ride harshness decreases; car may float over bumps. |
| Decrease rebound rates only |
On bumps, tires follow track surface more effectively; car may continue to oscillate after bumps. |
| Decrease bump rates only |
Body rolls quickly; car is slower to respond to turn-in. |
