Okay, springs/suspension design will help you prevent dive, but that cant be the recoil everyone talks about.

In every car I've seen, the springs are not firmly attached to the wheel and the car - every suspension member has either a ball joint, or a bushing.

Bushings (IIRC) being the rubber doughnut between a rotating suspension member and its stationary counterpart (usually attached to the car). I've only messed with bushings on watercooled VW's, but every front wheel had at least one and the single rear axle had two IIRC. Doesnt my W123 have big ones in back somewhere ? My 240D recoils like a .45 =)


I'm thinking that brake recoil is really two things- the bushings compressing slightly and the tire rubber flexing slightly, add this up (maybe even x4) and you'll get a recoil. The recoil happens when the car stops and teh compressed bushing/rubber mount/circular tire load "uncompresses" pushes the car backwards.

Worse on old cars because their bushings are older/more flexible. Not sure why it'd be better on W140's (an all-ball joint suspension ???) but newer stiffer bushings (a higher durometer rubber) would reduce recoil also. Sports cars will come with stiffer bushings for increased "feel" at the cost of ride softness.

I've only seen this on my W123 and A1 vw's, but I'm sure all cars have them.
-John

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Husband, Father, sometimes friend =)

"Anti-dive" just means the vehicle resists parking at places with names like: "Poodle Dog Lounge", "Dew Drop Inn", "The Tavern" or "The Boss' Office".

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i thnk the newer cars with anti dive would do it less.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.