What Does Body Roll Mean on a Car?

Definition of Body Roll

Body roll is the side-to-side movement of a car’s body as it travels around a curve. It is caused by the centrifugal force generated by the car’s weight and speed as it moves around the curve. The greater the centrifugal force, the greater the body roll.

Causes of Body Roll

There are a number of factors that can contribute to body roll, including:

• Center of gravity: The higher the center of gravity, the more likely the car is to roll over.
• Suspension: A softer suspension will allow the car to lean more easily, which can increase body roll.
• Weight distribution: A car with a heavy front end will be more likely to roll to the outside of the curve, while a car with a heavy rear end will be more likely to roll to the inside of the curve.
• Speed: The faster the car is traveling, the greater the centrifugal force and the more likely the car is to roll over.

Effects of Body Roll

Body roll can have a number of negative effects on a car’s handling, including:

• Reduced stability: Body roll can reduce the car’s stability, making it more likely to skid or spin out of control.
• Increased tire wear: Body roll can cause the tires to wear unevenly, which can shorten their lifespan.
• Reduced fuel efficiency: Body roll can increase the drag on the car, which can reduce fuel efficiency.

How to Reduce Body Roll

There are a number of ways to reduce body roll, including:

• Lowering the center of gravity: This can be done by installing a lowering kit or by adding weight to the lower part of the car.
• Stiffening the suspension: This can be done by installing stiffer springs or shocks.
• Adding a sway bar: A sway bar is a device that connects the suspension on the left and right sides of the car. It helps to reduce body roll by transferring weight from the outside wheels to the inside wheels as the car turns.
• Slowing down: The slower the car is traveling, the less likely it is to roll over.

Conclusion

Body roll is a common problem that can affect any car. However, there are a number of ways to reduce body roll and improve the handling of your car.