Steering balance on stock gen4

740 Views 3 Replies 2 Participants Last post by dj14901, Jun 30, 2004

Lumberg

Discussion Starter · Jun 30, 2004

I was testing out my car's handling in a parking lot the other day, and I noticed that stock, with 67k miles on it, that the handling was pretty neutral. When I turned hard the outer front tire seemed to dig in and then the rear would start to lighten up. I wasn't going fast enough to lose control, just screech the tires somewhat, cos the parking lot was not that big.

Basically, it seemed like a RSB would not be indicated, cos if the steering is pretty neutral to begin with, what's the point of tilting the handling towards oversteer?

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dj14901

· #2 · Jun 30, 2004

The 4cyl Gen4s are pretty neutral from the factory, as they have less weight up front when compared with the V6s. However, most stock Camrys have soft springs and a ton of body roll, which really shows up in the transitions. That's where upgraded swaybars really make their mark, my car is much more secure during emergency situations or changes in direction. Your overall cornering ability (in terms of G forces) should go up with an upgraded swaybar, because body roll can hurt ultimate cornering by putting more weight on the outside tire.

By adding an upgraded rear swaybar, I don't think you'll be drastically changing the understeer/oversteer balance of your car.

HTH -

DJ

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Lumberg

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jun 30, 2004

quite the opposite, I have read on here that a TRD RSB on the stiffest setting can cause very serious oversteer during emergency maneuvers. (see Rear sway bars, the good, bad and ugly)

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dj14901

· #4 · Jun 30, 2004

Lumberg said:
quite the opposite, I have read on here that a TRD RSB on the stiffest setting can cause very serious oversteer during emergency maneuvers. (see Rear sway bars, the good, bad and ugly)

I think you misinterpreted my point. I was pointing out that simply adding an upgraded rear swaybar is not going to turn a Carmy into an oversteering monster. Now, if you put two space saver spare tires on the rear, put the TRD bar on "Track", and remove the front swaybar, you'll get some oversteer.

The TRD bar has two settings, Street and Track. The Whiteline bar slots approximately between these two settings. There's a reason that the stiffest setting is called "Track" - it's suggested only for track use. Anyone who drives with this setting on the street is forewarned of the potential for oversteer in certain situations.

If you're worried about oversteer, then keep the TRD bar on the Street setting, get a Whiteline swaybar, or keep the stock one.

If you're content with the current handling of your Camry, then I wouldn't upgrade your swaybar. I wasn't content with the handling of my stock Camry, so I upgraded...

Each driver has their own individual preferences...

HTH -

DJ

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