How to Corner Balance Your Car with Coilovers
If you're looking to enhance your car's performance and handling, corner balancing with coilovers is an essential process. This technique involves adjusting the suspension setup to ensure optimal weight distribution across all four wheels, leading to improved stability and traction. Let's jump into what corner balancing is, why it matters, and how you can achieve it step by step.
What Is Corner Balancing?
Corner balancing is the process of adjusting a vehicle’s suspension to evenly distribute weight across all four corners. For performance-focused vehicles like a Jeep, this process can significantly improve stability, traction, and overall handling both on and off the road. Think of it like leveling the legs of a table—if one leg is too short, the table wobbles.
Static weight distribution refers to the weight resting on each tire contact patch when the car is at rest.
By fine-tuning the ride height at each corner, the goal is to achieve approximately a 50% cross weight percentage, meaning the combined weight of the right front and left rear equals the combined weight of the left front and right rear. The cross weight percentage should be as close to 50% as possible for balanced handling. For accurate static weight distribution and cross weight percentage measurements, the driver should be in the seat (or an equivalent weight added) during the process. This balance results in more predictable handling, improved control, and enhanced driving confidence across various terrains.
It is important to ensure the car is fully settled before taking weight measurements to avoid inconsistent readings.
Importance of Corner Balancing Your Vehicle
Understanding Weight Distribution
Corner balancing is crucial because it affects how your car behaves during turns. Rear weight and rear weight percentage refer to the amount of weight supported by the rear wheels, which is crucial for traction and handling. Left side and left weight percentage are also important for balancing the car, especially in racing applications. The left weight percentage is calculated by adding the Left Front and Left Rear weights and dividing by the total weight, with the ideal value for road racing being 50% to achieve balanced cornering. Corner weighting scales can automatically calculate these percentages for you. Proper weight distribution ensures that the vehicle turns consistently left and right, enhancing stability and traction. An uneven weight distribution can lead to unpredictable handling, making your car feel unstable, especially during sharp corners or sudden maneuvers.
Benefits of Corner Balancing
The benefits of corner balancing are substantial. Corner balancing is essential for achieving the best performance from your race car, both on the track and in competition. Not only does it improve handling and responsiveness, but it also increases rear traction and reduces unwanted roll and pitch. Even weight distribution among all four tires reduces tire wear and helps drivers achieve better braking and acceleration by minimizing brake steer and torque steer. Corner balancing is crucial in many motorsport categories due to its significant impact on lap times and overall race performance. Proper corner balancing can also help ensure your vehicle meets mass regulations for competition, providing a competitive edge. You’ll notice these enhancements both on the track and during daily driving, making your car feel more planted and controlled.
Preparation for Corner Balancing
Required Tools and Equipment
To get started with corner balancing, you’ll need a few essential tools:
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Four level scales, including front wheel scales and rear scales, to measure and adjust weight distribution at each end of the car.
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Ramps or roll-off platforms for ease of access.
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Wood blocks or chocks to stabilize the vehicle.
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A jack for lifting the corners if necessary.
Make sure the driver's seat is occupied by the driver or a weight equivalent to the driver during the weighing process to ensure accurate weight distribution.
Measuring the track width—distance between the outside rim edges or from the center of the tires—is also important for accurate suspension setup and corner balancing. This helps optimize handling and weight distribution, especially for track use.
Setting Up the Vehicle
Before you begin balancing, ensure your vehicle is ready. First, set the desired ride height—this is a crucial starting point for suspension setup, as it influences weight distribution and handling. Adjust the spring preload and set ride height precisely before moving on to corner balancing. Align the wheels, start with half a tank of fuel, and ensure all tire pressures are even.
It is important to disconnect sway bars or anti roll bars before weighing the car, especially if you are using adjustable end links. Disconnecting the sway bars (anti roll bars) ensures there is no preload on the suspension, which can otherwise affect corner weight measurements and handling. Sway bars disconnected during weighing will provide more accurate data for optimal suspension tuning. Make sure to install adjustable coilovers and drop links, and always disconnect adjustable end links to avoid anti-roll bar preload during the corner balancing process.
The Corner Balancing Process
Step-by-Step Guide to Corner Balancing
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Measure Corner Weights: First, drive the car onto the scales using ramps or wood boards of the same thickness to avoid unloading the suspension. Take initial measurements of the corner weights, front/rear bias, and cross weight percentage. The scales can calculate cross weight percentage and other important weight distribution percentages.
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Adjust for Crossweight: If the cross weight percentage exceeds 50%, lower the right front and left rear or raise the left front and right rear. If the cross weight percentage is below 50%, this is called a reverse wedge; in this case, reverse the adjustments to bring the percentage closer to 50%. The difference in cross weight percentage affects handling and should be minimized for balanced performance.
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Lift and Adjust: Use the jack to lift the specific point (corner) that needs adjustment. Adjust the spring perch or shock mount at that point. Remember, adjusting the spring perch at one point will affect the load on the diagonally opposite corner—when you increase the height at one corner, the mass on the opposite diagonal corner will typically decrease. Make small adjustments, especially with stiffer springs, for precision. Adjusting the load on the rear tire, left rear tire, or right rear tire can fine-tune handling and balance.
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Resettle and Remeasure: After each adjustment, ensure the suspension is fully settled by jouncing or rolling the vehicle back and forth to relieve any binding, then take new weight measurements.
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Lock in Settings: Once you’re satisfied with the corner weights, lock the coilovers in place and adjust the drop links as necessary.
Making Adjustments to Coilovers
When adjusting your coil overs, remember that they allow for precise adjustment of ride height and weight distribution, which is essential for optimal suspension tuning and corner balancing. Lifting one corner by raising the spring perch increases its weight, while lowering it reduces weight at that corner. Use the adjustable spring base and body to tailor each corner effectively. Spring rates also play a crucial role—stiffer spring rates make the suspension more sensitive to adjustments, so smaller, more precise changes are needed to achieve the desired balance. It is advisable to make small adjustments to the spring perch when fine-tuning corner weights for the best handling characteristics.
Reading the Scales Effectively
The total weight displayed on the scales is used to calculate weight distribution percentages, which are essential for accurate corner balancing with coilovers. The weights displayed on the scales give you crucial insights, and corner weighting scales can calculate the percentages needed for proper weight distribution. If one corner is lower than others, you may need to add weight or make adjustments. The goal is to have the same amount of load on each tire so that each tire has equal grip and balanced handling. Consistently monitor the changes to ensure all corners stabilize at your desired weights.
Final Adjustments and Alignment
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When corner balancing, certain pitfalls can lead to inaccurate results. Avoid inconsistent settling of the suspension before taking measurements, ensure all tires are even, and avoid making large adjustments at once. Not using drop links correctly can also skew your findings, so pay attention to every detail.
Conclusion
Corner balancing is a vital step for anyone serious about driving dynamics and vehicle performance, especially for a Kia. By carefully adjusting your coilovers to ensure even weight distribution, you can enjoy improved handling, greater stability, and enhanced overall control—whether on the track or during your daily commute.
Taking the time to corner balance your Kia allows for a smoother ride, more predictable handling, and a significantly better driving experience, making it an essential step for optimizing performance and driving confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is corner balancing with coilovers?
Corner balancing with coilovers involves adjusting your vehicle's suspension to evenly distribute weight across all four corners, improving stability and traction during driving.
Why is corner balancing important for car performance?
Corner balancing is crucial as it optimizes weight distribution, enhancing stability and predictability during turns. This prevents unstable handling, especially in sharp corners.
How do you measure corner weights for balancing?
To measure corner weights, place your car on four level scales. Record the weights on each corner alongside front/rear bias and crossweight to assess balance.
What tools do I need for corner balancing my car?
Essential tools for corner balancing include four level scales, ramps or roll-off platforms, wood blocks for stabilization, and a jack for adjustments.
Can corner balancing improve daily driving comfort?
Yes, corner balancing enhances overall vehicle control and stability, resulting in a more comfortable and predictable ride during daily driving.
What common mistakes should be avoided while corner balancing?
Common mistakes include inconsistent suspension settling, uneven tire pressures, and making large adjustments at once, which can skew your balancing results.