Physics [split from network thread]

[thelusiv]

Here's how I understand the suspension hinges. The suspension does not follow a straight up-and-down path. Instead it follows a curve. This curve is defined by the hinge point indirectly. It's as if the wheel itself was attached by a straight rod of some kind from the hinge point to the center of the wheel, and the hinge allows up-down movement. Take for example the front wheels, which usually have a hinge point behind them. So if the wheel moves up, since its attached to the hinge behind it, it's also going to move towards the back of the car a little along the curve. The big difficulty in this is predicting how the car will react under this movement. I've found that the hinge points can be manipulated to induce understeer or oversteer, but it's impossible to predict or measure...I must rely on testing or the "butt dyno" which of course is really hard since my butt isn't even really in the car...