Chrysler laser 1990 Technical Information Manual page 24

2-6
OFFSET SPRING
Because struts are installed at an angle, the road
surface reaction force (RI) applied to the tyres tends
to act vertically upon the tyre centre, and that force
tries to bend the strut toward the inside of the
vehicle. When this happens, the force trying to bend
the strut toward the inside of the vetiicle acts upon
the strut bearing component as bending moment
reaction force FL (because the upper part of the strut
is fixed in place), thus increasing the friction of the
bearing, and, as a result of the bending of the strut,
amplifying the moving resistance of the shock
absorber.
Road surface
Strut axial-reaction force
Strut bend direction reaction force
Strut bending force (by spring offset)
Then, because the coil spring is installed so that its
centre is greatly offset (toward the outside of the
vehicle) from the centre of the strut, the counterac-
tive force for the spring tends to become great
toward the outside of the vehicle, thus resulting in
the generation of bending force FL opposite to the
bending of the strut, and thereby decreasing the
friction applied to the strut bearing. As a result, the
shock absorber's internal movement friction is
reduced, thereby improving riding comfort as well
as the durability of components.
Spring counteractive
force