Suspension components like springs or dampers, is this considered sprung or unsprung weight?

 

One end is sprung, the other is unsprung.

The spring gradually changes from unsprung to sprung. A shock or strut would have a lower unsprung assembly that slides inside a sprung upper assembly.

So I would guess that it should be considered as partially unsprung. But I'm just guessing.

 

It would seem that it would be all or nothing... sprung or unsprung... I don't buy the partially sprung idea.

 

wheels and tires are unsprung, springs and shocks ate partially sprung, everything else is supported by the spings so it is sprung. Reduction of unsprung weight is what we are after when we put on light wheels and tires.

 

The bottom part of the spring and dampners move up and down with respect to the rest of the car, right? So they are unsprung, just like the wheel.

The top part of the springs and dampners are stationary with respect to the rest of the car, right? So its sprung just like the chasis.

The middle parts gradually change from unsprung to sprung.

These are the componets to the suspension that attach the unsprung part of the car to to the sprung part of the car. So it only makes since that they are transitional components.

 

the part of the shock that's attached to the control arm is unsprung. that's why there are inverted shock designs (motorcycle forks and some cars like the sti). the inverted shock keeps the heavy part (the cylinder filled w/fluild) at the top, attached to the body and thus stationary, reducing unsprung mass. i can't recall some of coilovers' designs but they are probably also inverted.

you can't do much about the spring.

 

Ok, I've been convinced. I have wondered what the advantages of inverted designs were. I have an inverted fork on my bike and it helped to visualize the situation. Makes sense...

I've just been wondering about the whole idea of reducing suspension weight in general because I saw some RS*R titanium springs being advertised as being "lightweight." Thanks for the posts.

 

the RSR ti springs are marginally lighter than the normal versions - great springs but mostly marketing