Third Spring

[Bram Hengeveld]

Can somebody explain what this third spring in a Formula 1 car exactly does. So far in my setup i have always left it untouched but I want to know what i can do with it.

@Niels_at_home maybe?

 

[Niels_at_home]

With a mechanical linkage, the front 3rd spring only compresses when BOTH front regular springs are compressed. Same for the rear. So body roll doesn't compress the 3rd spring, but downforce pushing the entire car down, will compress the 3rd spring.

3rd springs and bumprubbers are a good way to separate car cornering and roll setup from absorbing the downforce. Theoretically you can run extremely soft regular springs, and still don't bottom out on the straight if you use stiff 3rd springs.

If you increase downforce, you can just change ride height, 3rd spring and 3rd packers, while leaving the mechanical balance (springs, antiroll bars) alone. The F Reiza manual has suggested spring / packer settings for low, mid and high downforce, each with a 'soft, medium and stiff' setup.

Without 3rd springs, the aero load has to be taken by the regular 4 springs, but that means you stiffen up roll as well. Also, bumprubbers are a nice way to deal with aero loads, but having bump rubbers hit on the 4 corner springs changes the handling in possibly unwanted ways. In short, 3rd springs make a HUGE amount of sense on a car with significant downforce.

 

[Reto Christiani]

BIG thanks for this good explanation!
any hints where to find the "The F Reiza manual"?

 

[Reto Christiani]

first look and search and then ask ; ) found it!