Balance & Centre of Gravity

[gclark8]

Anyone over there have balance charts for the Sedan?

Also, where the CofG is located in the sedan? (there should be a mark)

After checking weight/loading in the manual, it appears it is real easy to exceed the maximum load for the front wheels.

[daug1502]

I don't see it taking much on these cars anyway. They are cheap. If it bothers you, just purchase some upgraded suspension parts and install them. For a better center of gravity, lower it. Doesn't have to be much, even an inch will make a difference.

[gclark8]

The page from the manual showing Loading of the vehicle.

Holden have allocated 68 kg to each seat and 68kg to the boot, a total load of 408kg, not including fuel.

However not all drivers and passengers are 68kg!

Lets look at it this way, a 180kg driver will take the allowance of 3 about seats, if he has a 120kg front seat passenger, another 2 seats, the car is close to gross, and the front axle load will exceed 810kg. Leaving 68 g for the boot.

In Australia we commonly use public weighbridges to check car-caravan combinations. My intention is to establish a safe loading menu so the vehicle will be close to balance at all times.

Yes, lowering made a difference, like wow! However it has also moved the CofG further back in the car.

Balance and load will effect tyre pressures, I expect at max load and blanced the tyre pressures to be the same for both the front and rear of the car.

Later this week I will visit the weighbridge and establish some base line balance figures.

cheers
George

[petrified.rabbit]

180 kg driver? thats 400 lbs that not the "typical" weight of a driver either.
68 kg while not that average weight of anyone who lives in a country with a mcdonalds. it does work out as a total of 600 lbs of passengers being acceptable.

lowering spring have higher spring rates and will change load numbers as well, but you are correct tire pressure is just as important. i think you need corner scaling to figure out what you want to do though, an old fashioned weight and bob alignment shop, or rare car shop could do it.

if you figure the center pivot of the four tires (with weight of the engine considered) is probably about at the shifter, slightly left due to heavier engine than trans, in the interior. the closer to the point in the car everyone is positioned, the more balanced the car will stay. works out well for single drivers with left hand driver.

[daug1502]

Educational. but I feel like I'm in Junior High science again lol. I was not aware that lowering moved the center of gravity back.