Calculate wheel rate from spring rate and motion ratio, including installation angle and helper springs, plus ride frequency from corner weight.

Wheel Rate Calculator

Basic
Angle/Dual Spring
Ride Frequency

Enter any 2 values to calculate the missing variable. Motion ratio is spring/shock travel ÷ wheel travel (dimensionless).

Wheel Rate Formula

The following two example problems outline the steps and information needed to calculate the Wheel Rate.

WR = K * M^2
  • Where WR is the Wheel Rate (e.g., lbf/in, N/m)
  • K is the spring rate (same force/length units as WR) 
  • M is the motion ratio (spring/shock travel ÷ wheel travel, dimensionless) 

To calculate the wheel rate, multiply the spring rate by the motion ratio squared (with motion ratio defined as spring/shock travel ÷ wheel travel).

How to Calculate Wheel Rate?

The following example problems outline how to calculate Wheel Rate.

Example Problem #1:

  1. First, determine the spring constant (lbf/in).
    • The spring constant (lbf/in) is given as: 400.
  2. Next, determine the motion ratio (dimensionless).
    • The motion ratio (spring/shock travel ÷ wheel travel) is provided as: 0.80.
  3. Finally, calculate the Wheel Rate using the equation above: 

WR = K * M^2

The values provided above are inserted into the equation below and computed.

WR = 400 * 0.80^2 = 256.00 (lbf/in)


Example Problem #2: 

For this problem, the variables required are provided below:

spring constant (lbf/in) = 550

motion ratio (spring/shock travel ÷ wheel travel, dimensionless) = 0.70

Test your knowledge using the equation and check your answer with the calculator.

WR = K * M^2 = ?