Just A Car Guy: these calculations relate to the load/deflections (delta) for two bars with an overlapping range: one for hard range and one for a softer range. These traditional non-driver-adjustable) interchangeable bars consisted of a torque tube with two welded cantilever arms.

Monday, August 31, 2026

these calculations relate to the load/deflections (delta) for two bars with an overlapping range: one for hard range and one for a softer range. These traditional non-driver-adjustable) interchangeable bars consisted of a torque tube with two welded cantilever arms.

Calculations written by Steve Nichols, at McLaren, relating to the fixed RARB for the MP4/2 as used by Niki Lauda and Alain Prost.

Calculating to optimize weight, for the maximum stress in the torque tube to occur at exactly the same time as the maximum stress in the two cantilever arms.

Furthermore, Steve calculated the profile of the arms such that they had an even stress distribution. This meant they had a slightly elliptical profile rather than a straight line.

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