Leaf Springs
#1
Leaf Springs
I wonder what impact on marketing carbon fiber leaf springs would have?
Very light weight, low position in the chassis and durable.
Very light weight, low position in the chassis and durable.
#2
Tech Contributor
Member Since: Mar 1999
Location: Northern VA
Posts: 10,063
Received 3,803 Likes
on
1,143 Posts
"Ask Tadge" Producer
Secondly, removing any and all weight is generally a good idea. But: in the case of the leafs, you're removing it from a low position on the car. Meaning you'll be shifting the CoG ever so slightly upward. That's rarely a good idea.
I'm guessing the costs would outweigh the benefits of the idea, pretty dramatically.
jas
#3
It would can all the low tech complaints. Used very effectively on aircraft landing gear.
#4
Tech Contributor
Member Since: Mar 1999
Location: Northern VA
Posts: 10,063
Received 3,803 Likes
on
1,143 Posts
"Ask Tadge" Producer
For something that important to the car's handling and ride, there would have to be significant benefits to the proposal before GM would consider it. Coffee table or bar room discussion points aren't what GM engineers to.
jas
#5
Safety Car
I think a cost benefit analysis would show this isnt ideal. Would the performance difference be that great.
CF can work wonders on the car in other places, but to replace the leaf springs it just does not seem like the ideal material.
CF can work wonders on the car in other places, but to replace the leaf springs it just does not seem like the ideal material.
#7
Le Mans Master
This would very slightly alter the rate at which Jeremy Clarkson rolls his eyes when he mentions that the C7 uses "the same suspension as an ox cart."
Actually, they'd probably make fun of the fact that GM would apply such a high-tech material to such a "low-tech" suspension design. I'm pretty sure they'd whip out "gilding the lily" as they laugh at the wrongheadedness of the Americans.
Sadly, some people actually get their car knowledge from these entertainers and have no filter for distinguishing genuine information from winks and nudges.
Honestly, I consider the transverse leaf springs a car intelligence test, and anyone who makes fun of Corvette's immediately goes onto my "clueless tool" list.
.Jinx
Actually, they'd probably make fun of the fact that GM would apply such a high-tech material to such a "low-tech" suspension design. I'm pretty sure they'd whip out "gilding the lily" as they laugh at the wrongheadedness of the Americans.
Sadly, some people actually get their car knowledge from these entertainers and have no filter for distinguishing genuine information from winks and nudges.
Honestly, I consider the transverse leaf springs a car intelligence test, and anyone who makes fun of Corvette's immediately goes onto my "clueless tool" list.
.Jinx
#8
Burning Brakes
This would very slightly alter the rate at which Jeremy Clarkson rolls his eyes when he mentions that the C7 uses "the same suspension as an ox cart."
Actually, they'd probably make fun of the fact that GM would apply such a high-tech material to such a "low-tech" suspension design. I'm pretty sure they'd whip out "gilding the lily" as they laugh at the wrongheadedness of the Americans.
Sadly, some people actually get their car knowledge from these entertainers and have no filter for distinguishing genuine information from winks and nudges.
Honestly, I consider the transverse leaf springs a car intelligence test, and anyone who makes fun of Corvette's immediately goes onto my "clueless tool" list.
.Jinx
Actually, they'd probably make fun of the fact that GM would apply such a high-tech material to such a "low-tech" suspension design. I'm pretty sure they'd whip out "gilding the lily" as they laugh at the wrongheadedness of the Americans.
Sadly, some people actually get their car knowledge from these entertainers and have no filter for distinguishing genuine information from winks and nudges.
Honestly, I consider the transverse leaf springs a car intelligence test, and anyone who makes fun of Corvette's immediately goes onto my "clueless tool" list.
.Jinx
#9
Melting Slicks
then i suggest you never fly in a 787 or a350 as they are completely carbon fiber. Maybe the lives of 300 people isn't critical lol.
#10
Team Owner
Those complaints/cries of these transverse composite leaf springs being "low tech" are usually only from those who are totally misinformed on the car's entire design/system (space limitations, aerodynamics, center of gravity, weight savings etc.) and what actually drives the engineers to retain the use of these springs of course.
Exactly. It's not like they couldn't have gone a different route if they saw fit to.
As far back as the 'clean sheet' C5, they easily could've chosen another path. The springs aren't being used because they "don't have the knowledge/technology for coils/coilovers" or because "they want to cut costs".
They use them because THEY WORK and help the car achieve a wide range of criteria/goals.
Clarkson cracks me up when he says that. It's a proven solution, cost effective, helps eliminate a rear sway bar on the non-Z51 model and apparently works well enough that the engineers have seen fit to continue its use in the C7 application. Ultimate track tech? No, but I could care less for street use.
As far back as the 'clean sheet' C5, they easily could've chosen another path. The springs aren't being used because they "don't have the knowledge/technology for coils/coilovers" or because "they want to cut costs".
They use them because THEY WORK and help the car achieve a wide range of criteria/goals.
#11
Melting Slicks
Member Since: May 1999
Location: Vancouver BC
Posts: 2,365
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
They should have called them something else besides transferse leaf springs....marketing should have been smarter.....makes people who are not familiar with the technology think Corvettes are cheap and low tech. Clarkson makes fun of this and many people think that it is the same suspension as on oldtimers.
#13
Melting Slicks
leaf spring advantages over coil overs:
-Less unsprung weight in moving parts of the suspension
-lower center of gravity
-overall weight savings
-longevity
-corrosion resistance
-more flexibility for suspension geometry and placement of shocks
-higher load capacity
-no coil bind
-less expensive
-less wear parts
coil over advantages over leaf springs:
-adjustable spring rate
-slightly smoother ride
Maybe the GM engineers knew what they were doing after all. For those who mock the design, I get to laugh at how dumb they are.
-Less unsprung weight in moving parts of the suspension
-lower center of gravity
-overall weight savings
-longevity
-corrosion resistance
-more flexibility for suspension geometry and placement of shocks
-higher load capacity
-no coil bind
-less expensive
-less wear parts
coil over advantages over leaf springs:
-adjustable spring rate
-slightly smoother ride
Maybe the GM engineers knew what they were doing after all. For those who mock the design, I get to laugh at how dumb they are.
#15
As for the 787 I suggest no one gets on one.
Google it, 787 engineers fired for voicing concerns, planes grounded, wings trying to rip off etc...
Bad things happen when dying companies throw Hail Marys.
Last edited by HurricaneRN; 04-16-2013 at 04:26 PM.
#16
Melting Slicks
I make software to program the machines manufacturing the composite parts for these planes. I know more about the structure of these aircraft probably more than anyone on this forum. They haven't "grounded" any of the planes as they aren't even commercially available yet. Structurally, they are far superior to an aluminum aircraft in every way.
Last edited by SaberD; 04-16-2013 at 04:28 PM.
#17
Platinum Supporting Dealership
Bad idea simply because of the weight. Lowering the weight down low is a bad idea unless you have a way of removing an upper weight and not raising the center of gravity.
Dave
Dave
#18
So you're not biased then.
#20
Drifting
leaf spring advantages over coil overs:
-Less unsprung weight in moving parts of the suspension
-lower center of gravity
-overall weight savings
-longevity
-corrosion resistance
-more flexibility for suspension geometry and placement of shocks
-higher load capacity
-no coil bind
-less expensive
-less wear parts
coil over advantages over leaf springs:
-adjustable spring rate
-slightly smoother ride
Maybe the GM engineers knew what they were doing after all. For those who mock the design, I get to laugh at how dumb they are.
-Less unsprung weight in moving parts of the suspension
-lower center of gravity
-overall weight savings
-longevity
-corrosion resistance
-more flexibility for suspension geometry and placement of shocks
-higher load capacity
-no coil bind
-less expensive
-less wear parts
coil over advantages over leaf springs:
-adjustable spring rate
-slightly smoother ride
Maybe the GM engineers knew what they were doing after all. For those who mock the design, I get to laugh at how dumb they are.
I make software to program the machines manufacturing the composite parts for these planes. I know more about the structure of these aircraft probably more than anyone on this forum. They haven't "grounded" any of the planes as they aren't even commercially available yet. Structurally, they are far superior to an aluminum aircraft in every way.
Last edited by CPhelps; 04-16-2013 at 07:21 PM.