Miata Mailing List: August 1999, Message #134

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Imagine a tapered torsion bar, secured in one end and we twist the other end.
Any amount of twist (regardless of how small) will twist the whole bar, not just
the thin end. The only thing you change by making it tapered is the amount of
twist as a function of position on the bar (the thin end twist relatively more
than the thick end). But the bar will still be non-progressive (ft.lb./degree
will still be constant).

The reason a progressive spring is progressive is because the softer end binds
and produces a shorter "bar" to twist, not because they are tapered.

To make a progressive sway bar, you either have to find a way to make the
torsion bar shorter as it twists (not likely) or make a progressive action on
the bar (see F1 pushrod suspension).

Regards
Soren

Team red '91 Miata with turbo and nitrous
Team blue '97 Jeep Wrangler
http://www.turbomx5.com


> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-miatapower@miatapower.net
> [mailto:owner-miatapower@miatapower.net]On Behalf Of Brad Franks
> Sent: Monday, August 02, 1999 05:56
> To: Soren Svensson; Miata Power List; Miata Big List
> Subject: Re: Thinking out loud about sway bars
>
>
>
> Why?
>
> Brad and K.Bee
> >
> > A tapered sway bar would not make it progressive, only softer.
> >
> > Regards
> > Soren
> >
> > Team red '91 Miata with turbo and nitrous
> > Team blue '97 Jeep Wrangler
> > http://www.turbomx5.com
> >
>
>
>