The Effect of a Wheel's Weight on Steering?
 

I have done a search but havent found anywhere that this topic was discussed. So here it is.

What is the Effect of a wheel's weight on steering effort and feel?

For example, if I was driving 70 on the highway and hit a bump in the road or a patch of choppy road would heavier wheels make it more difficult to correct the car to keep it going straight?

Could a wheels' weight have as much of an effect on steering as the width and heighth of a tire?

Thanks for any insight,

Lane

I thought somebody else would have wondered about this?

I seriously doubt it on a properly balanced wheel. You are talkin ounces, not pounds Now if you were to slap on a few ounces randomly. Then you would get a hellashish vibration/shake. Actually a good prank, take SEVERAL tsrips of stick on weights, and stick them to the inside of your buddies tire.

.

Thanks for the reply I was wondering more along the lines of the weight of the wheel itself tho...

Oh.:emb:....

When I bought my 02 Z it had ADR 18 X 8.5 with Nitto Extreme ZR 255-35-18's all the way around. I replaced them with Zr1 17x9.5 (275-40-17) in front & 17x11 (315-35-17) in back. My steering wheels turns much easier with the ZR1's as apposed to the ADR's. I was supprised it made a noticable difference but it did!

Kevin

Wheel wieght affects braking, but shouldn't have much of an effect on steering . . .

I would think width would only have an affect.

Xsta, I was looking into getting 17 x 9.5 Z06 wheels that weighed in at under 20 pounds. You dont think I would notice a difference in steering feel going from my current 28 pound wheels?

Maybe if you were running a manul rack set-up. Since its probably power, I doubt youll feel it.

But my car will be faster wont it? With the lighter weight wheels?

Lighter wheels help, less rotational mass.

Here is a physics summary (because I have no real-world experience with this).

Acceleration - Lighter cars speed up faster. Everyone knows that. But spinning parts, like wheels, driveshafts, flywheels, etc, count twice, because you have to move them forward and you have to spin them too. Inertia (not wanting to speed up) works extra hard on spinning things near the outer edge. That means that taller wheels will be harder to speed up than shorter ones even if they weigh the same. A short light wheel will help your acceleration (short wheels have less contact area, so less traction).

Turning - gyroscopic force is where heavy spinning things don't like turning. 4 30lb wheels compared to a 3600lb car arn't going to make mutch difference though. A taller wheel will have more of this, but again, I doubt it will matter much.

Bumps - here is the real deal. When you hit a bump, the wheel, tire, and part of your suspension is going up and down really quickly. Your suspension is balanced between letting the wheel move quickly (so you don't feel the bump) and making it stop moving quickly (so you get control back soon). That is why sport suspensions handle better but make your butt hurt. A lighter wheel makes all this much easier on your suspension, because less weight is moving. Light wheels are an often overlooked suspension upgrade. The size or shape of your wheels will have no effect on this, only weight.

Ok, now guys that have actually tried all this, let me know what you think.

I'd like to hear people who have the C5 magnesium wheels on their handling abilities. I am sure they are an excellent upgrade to reduce unsprung weight.

Steve2001sh,


WOW! Thank you very much for your scientific explanation of everything!

I actually bought a set of 01' OEM 17x9.5 Z06 wheels that are supposed to weigh 19.6 pds a piece. Mine are chrome so they will weigh a little more...? Ill be sure to update everyone on my perception of the lighter/smaller wheels.

I was thinking of doing a 265 front/285 back so that my tires wouldn't be so wide in front, which I thought might make steering over grooves in the road easier...? I may just do 275 all around instead.

Thanks again to everyone for the replys!

Lane