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Leaf Spring Rate Calculator
Definitions:
Spring
Rate is half the difference between the loads 1 inch above
and 1 inch below a specified position. Another definition would be: The amount
of force it takes to compress the spring 1-inch and is expressed in ld/in. The
lower the rate, the softer the spring.
If the front of your truck is sagging you need more spring load, not
more spring rate.
Spring
Load is the amount of weight the spring is designed to carry at a
certain height. This is also called the Design Load or Load Rate. Think
weight carrying capacity.
Load
Rate is not to be confused
with Spring Rate. Load
Rate is the amount of weight a spring is designed to carry at a certain height.
Let's
say a spring has:
-
A
rate of 200 lb/in
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Designed
for a 3-Inch deflection
-
When
deflected 3-inches the spring is supporting 600 lbs
-
Therefore,
the spring has a Load Rate of 600 lbs. Not a Spring Rate of 600 lbs.
Unsprung
Weight is the weight of the tires, wheels, knuckles, hubs, axles, and
half the weight of the springs, shocks, control arms, and/or links.
Sprung
Weight is the weight of the body, chassis, drivetrain, tools, parts and
the other half of the total weight of the springs, shocks, control arms and/or
links.
Wheel
Rate is the spring rate actually measured at the wheel (or tire).
The wheel rate is usually lower than the true spring rate due to factors such as
spring position and control arm or axle leverage that can effectively lessen the
spring rate at the wheel versus the actual spring rate at the spring. If
you move the spring closer to the tire (and the spring travels parallel to the
wheel), the wheel rate and spring rate will become almost the same.
Variable
Rate Springs have a soft initial spring rate and to absorb the subtle
irregularities of the road/trail progressing to a firmer rate to handle large
bumps. These springs increase in rate as they are compressed.
Effect
On Rate:
In
the formula below you will see Number of Leaves, Leaf Length, Leaf Width, and
Leaf Thickness. Here is how they effect rate:
|
Dimension
Increased
|
Effect
On Rate |
| Number of Leaves |
Higher |
| Leaf Length |
Lower |
| Leaf Width |
Higher |
| Leaf Thickness |
Higher |
Calculate Now:
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