Unsprung Weight Calculator

Formula

The formula to calculate the unsprung weight is:

\[ \text{UW} = \text{WW} + \text{TW} + \text{BW} + \text{SW} \]

Where:

\( \text{UW} \) is the unsprung weight (lbs)
\( \text{WW} \) is the weight of the wheels (lbs)
\( \text{TW} \) is the weight of the tires (lbs)
\( \text{BW} \) is the weight of the brakes (lbs)
\( \text{SW} \) is the weight of the suspension components (lbs)

What is Unsprung Weight?

Unsprung weight refers to the mass of the vehicle that is not supported by the suspension system. This includes components such as the wheels, tires, brakes, and parts of the suspension itself. Unsprung weight affects the vehicle’s handling and ride quality, as it can influence the suspension’s ability to isolate the vehicle’s body from road irregularities. Reducing unsprung weight can lead to improved handling and faster suspension response.

Example Calculation

Let's assume the following values:

Weight of Wheels (WW) = 50 lbs
Weight of Tires (TW) = 40 lbs
Weight of Brakes (BW) = 30 lbs
Weight of Suspension Components (SW) = 20 lbs

Using the formula:

\[ \text{UW} = 50 + 40 + 30 + 20 = 140 \, \text{lbs} \]

The unsprung weight (UW) is 140 lbs.