Hmmm.
I think we're arguing the same point, but from different directions, and I'll
have to restrict my earlier disagreement to just your statement that the
torque arm makes the car dive under braking. The torque reaction on the rear
axle due to either braking or backing up quickly is the same, and it has the
effect of reducing the load on the rear tires (because it's compressing the
suspension). This effectively does transfer more load to the front of the car,
but with the torque arm, the rear of the car is prevented from rising. Thus,
'anti-dive' geometry at the rear axle typically increases the weight transfer
during braking.
Time to hit the computer, methinks. If someone can supply CG height and spring
rates (at the wheels), we can attach some real numbers to this discussion.
Regards,
Theo
Bob Palmer wrote:
> Theo,
>
> Oh boy!! Maybe there's the makings of a real technical controversy here! I
> thought how it worked was pretty obvious, but I guess not. I'm kind of
> wrapped around the axle myself right now, but I'll read your analysis more
> carefully first chance I have. Maybe some real Mechanical Engineer types
> can opine in on this one too. Dan's original article on his torque arm
> appeared in the August '91 issue of Tiger Tales. In it he makes the
> following comment: "There is another minor bad side effect. If you try to
> back up in a BIG HURR"Y, you get severe wheel hop, a very small price to
> pay for its benefits." I submit without proof at this point that the very
> reason the torque arm transfers weight to the rear wheels during
> acceleration is the same reason it transfers weight to the front during
> <snip>
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