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What is a Roll Center?

A "roll center" (RC) is a theoretical point around which the chassis rolls, and is determined by the design of the suspension. Front and rear suspensions have different roll centers. A "roll axis" is an imaginary line between the front and rear roll centers. The amount that a chassis rolls in a corner depends on the position of the roll axis relative to the car's center-of-gravity (CG). The closer the roll axis is to the center of gravity, the less the chassis will roll in a corner. Chassis rolling at one end of the car or the other gives more grip to that end of the car. Roll center is one of the most under-utilized adjustments on a car, but one of the most powerful. This is because roll center has an immediate effect on a car's handling, whereas anti roll bars, shocks and springs require the car to roll before they produce an effect. For the purpose of this article, I have borrowed explanations from a variety of sources, and I will try to paint a clear picture of how roll center works.

Roll Center Basics

Here are some basic facts about roll center (RC) and center-of-gravity (CG). * * * * * * Roll center (RC) is the point around which the car rolls Each end of the car (front and rear) has its own roll center Center-of-gravity (CG) is where all cornering force is directed RC and CG are (ideally) in the middle (left-right middle) of the car RC is vertically below the CG in cars Rolling produces more grip

Where is the Roll Center?

Roll center is determined by the car's suspension geometry. Each end of the car has its own roll center, determined by the suspension geometry at that end of the car. The following diagram shows how you can find a car's roll center at one end of the car or the other.

This looks a little bit complicated, but here is a breakdow n: * * * * * Line 'A' is parallel to the upper arm. Line 'B' is parallel to the lower arm. Line 'A' and line 'B' intersect at point 'I P' Line 'C' goes f rom the wheel contact point (WC-bot tom center of the wheel)to point IP The point at which line 'C' crosses the ear's cent erline (CO is t he roll cent er

Adjusting Roll Center

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You can adjust roll center by changing t he angle of t he suspension arms. IMPORTANT: Always ensure that left and right sides of the car have the same set tings! Adjusting roll center can be done in a variet y of w ays, depending on the car. You can change eit her end of a suspension arm t o change roll center. Sometimes it is easier to change the inner pivot point of the suspension arms (nearest the chassis), while other times it is easier t o change t he outer pivot point of t he suspension arms (nearest the wheels).

Car manufact urers have come up with some innovat ive ways to do this on t heir car. Most modern, intermediate-t o-pro-level cars have SOME way to adjust roll center. When adjusting roll center, changes t o the upper arms result in small RC changes, while changes to t he lower arms result in larger RC changes. (Since t he lower arms are closer to t he roll-center itself, making changes in the lower arm angle will have a very large eff ect on roll center position.) * To give a lower roll center, make the suspension arms flatter (more horizontal). * To give a higher roll center, make the suspension arms more angled. Upper arms would have more of an upward angle where they meet the wheels; lower arms would have more a downward angle where they meet the wheels.

How Does Roll Center Work?

When cornering, centrifugal force is applied to the car's CG, which tends to push the car to the outside of a corner. This causes the CG to rotate around the RC. Since the RC is below the CG, cornering force causes the car to rotate AWAY from the force. Hence, the car rolls to the OUTSIDE of the corner. * When the RC is far away from CG (lower RC), when the car corners the CG has more leverage on the RC, so the car will roll more. * When the RC is closer to CG (higher RC), when the car corners the CG has less leverage on the RC, so the car will roll less. * If the RC was right on top of the CG, when the car corners the CG has no leverage on the RC, so

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the car would not roll at all. Depending on what the car is doing, you will want one end or the other to roll more or less. You change the height of the RC accordingly to make it closer or further from the CG (which for all intents is a fixed point).

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Effects of Front Roll Center Adjustment

Front roll center has most effect on on-throttle steering during mid-corner and corner exit. LOWER front roll center * More on-throttle steering * Car is less responsive * Bett er on smoot h, high grip tracks w ith long fast corners HIG HER f ront roll center * Less on-throt tle st eering * Car is more responsive * Use in high grip conditions t o avoid tract ion rolling * Use on t racks with quick direct ion changes (chicanes)

Effects of Rear Roll Center Adjustment

Rear roll cent er effects on- and off -t hrott le sit uat ions in all cornering stages (entry, mid, exit ) LOWER rear roll center * More on-t hrottle grip * Less grip under braking * Use t o avoid tract ion rolling at corner entry (increases rear grip) * Use under low tract ion condit ions * I ncreases tract ion, reduces rear t ire wear HIG HER rear roll center * Less on-throt tle st eering * Car is more responsive * Use in high grip conditions t o avoid tract ion rolling * Use on t racks with quick direct ion changes (chicanes)

Not the Whole Story

Car handling is a complex interaction of numerous factors; caster, camber, anti-roll bars, shock absorbers, and spring rates to name only a few. So keep in mind that there is not one "master" adjust ment t o make your car perf orms like a Formula 1 car; it is all a matter of compromise. So keep the adjustments small, and one-at -a-time. That magic combinat ion is out there for you.

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