Spring-Rate Calculator

The steps below will help you to find an approximate spring rate for your coil-over
application. Enter your suspension measurements in the white boxes below.
*Yellow fields denote calculated cells, you do not have to enter values in them

1 - Calculating Wheel Rate

“Wheel rate” is the “effective spring rate” at the wheel due to the leverage advantage the wheel has with respect to the spring on the control
arm. It is related in calculating your desired spring rate.

Corner Weight: 700 lbs. Use tire scales as used by racing teams, or weigh the
vehicle on an axle scale used by trucking companies.
Make sure to weigh the vehicle in the configuration of its
most frequent use. Add weight to compensate for driver,
passengers, and cargo in the proper locations.

Unsprung Weight: 100 lbs. “Unsprung weight” is vehicle weight not supported by
the springs. Examples include: Tire/wheel assembly;
brake rotors and calipers (or brake drums and
components); wheel bearings; steering knuckle; hanging
weight of the control arm (or trailing arms on rear axles);
differential and axle weight; ½ of the spring and shock
absorber weights.

Sprung Weight: 600 lbs. Sprung weight = Corner weight – Unsprung weight. It is
the weight supported by the spring and is the only weight
used in calculating spring rates.

Ride Height from.

Extended Height:. 3 in. Jack the body of the vehicle up until the suspension
spring is fully extended. Measure the distance of the top
of the wheel well from the top of the tire. Now consider
where you want the top of the wheel well to sit when the
weight of the vehicle is on the spring. ex. 3.0” lower.

Wheel Rate: 200 lbs/in Sprung Weight / Ride Height from Stock
2 - Calculating Motion Ratio
The “motion ratio” is the mechanical advantage (lever ratio) that the wheel has over the spring in compressing it.

Dimension A: 12.5 in. Dimension A - Measure the distance from the control arm
pivot point on the subframe (centerline of the bushing) to
the point on the control arm directly under the center of
the spring or the “coil-over assembly.”

Dimension B: 16 in. Dimension B - Measure the distance from the control arm
pivot point on the subframe to the centerline of the ball
joint.

Motion Ratio 0.78125 in. Motion Ratio = Dimension A / Dimension B

3 - Coil Spring Angle

Spring Angle: 85 deg. Using a protractor or similar measuring device; measure
the angle of the centerline of the spring or “coil-over
assembly” from the horizontal of the control arm. In
most cases this will be somewhere between 75 degrees
and 90 degrees. Most conventional springs and many
strut suspensions are very close to 90 degrees, and 90
degrees can be used for the angle. This measurement
helps determine the “force angle” and resultant spring
force applied to the control arm.
4 - Spring Rate
Spring Rate: 328.93 lbs/in = “Wheel Rate”/ (Motion Ratio ^ 2) (Sin(spring angle))

Using the calculated spring rate, find the closest spring rate available. When in doubt choose a lower spring
rate, it is easier to achieve handling and performance with a low spring rate and a "stiff" stabilizer bar.