Quote:So I've looked at our suspension geometry hw code, trying to fix some issues, and ended up rewriting it. It is working pretty well now. But there is an issue about the way suspension is defined in the car files.
We have caster, toe and camber values at car rest position (loaded suspension). At the same time we define wheel and suspension at extended position (unloaded suspension). The issue is that with macpherson and double-wishbone suspensions the camber changes with travel. So the camber values would have to be corrected for the extended position, which would be rather hard to do.
A simpler approach is to define suspension and wheel position at rest too (loaded). But should the suspension travel value also be relative to the rest position? Or should we define something like a sag parameter that would tell how much the spring is compressed at rest?
I am currently leaning towards the sag parameter. Although it has the problem that it depends on spring stiffness. Soft springs would require a preload (not enough sag). For very stiff springs the sag would have to be adjusted at loading time (too much sag).
What is the easiest way to define suspension? And what do I start with? I thought the the suspension travel value should not be relative to the rest position. I may be wrong though.
