Joined
·
158 Posts
Hi, I posted this topic in the Autocross section of this forum but didn't get too many replies, although they were very good ones:
http://www.focaljet.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=8;t=002007
So I am posting the topic here to see if anyone can help out? Is this allowed? Sorry if it isn't? Here it is...
______________________________________________
Hi, just wondering, which body shell type of the Focus is the most rigid?
I used to think somehow that the sedan would be most rigid since it has a B pillar right in the middle of a large opening, as opposed to a ZX3 which has a larger opening for the single door. The ZX5 also has a B pillar exactly like the sedan to divide the opening into 2 smaller ones and so buttress the roof and the floor, but it has a larger cavity in the rear where the sedan has a smaller cavity. Not to mention that the rear hatch makes a large vertical opening compared to the opening of the sedan (which shape of opening would compromise less of the structure?)
But after reading many things on such topics, people say that 2 doors are more rigid than 4 doors. I suppose that even though the 2 door has a larger door opening, the portion aft of the door opening is a fixed metal piece and so would more than compensate for the larger opening. Does the hatch latch or trunk latch make the car more rigid when the hatch or trunk are closed?
I drive a '02 ZX5 and when I corner, I can hear creaks coming from the driver's side area (door?). Another question... does a door actually help the structure of a car? For example, if i removed a door, would the car be less rigid? The door connects the front of the car to the B pillar or rear of the car with some hinges and a door lock mechanism...I suppose that door lock mechanisms can be very strong...but was it designed to aid the rigidity?
How about a sunroof? Does this really make any difference in the rigidity? Did any Focus ever have a sunroof? Does the roof rack of the wagon help its structure?
So is this the order in decreasing stiffness of chassis (not suspension tuning, which could be the exact same for the first three types?):
1. ZX3
2. Sedan
3. ZX5
4. Wagon (entirely different rear suspension that does not have 'control blade'??)
Which one is lightest (not including the wagon)?
A door is quite heavy, even if it is a smaller rear door. There are door lock mechanisms, power windows, (side impact beams only in the front doors?), but the ZX3 does have a fixed metal area instead of the rear door...and this is heavy, too? The front door of the ZX3 is also very heavy compared to the front door of the four door versions?
All of this probably won't make a difference in the real world, but it is interesting to know?
So... the SVT 2 door would be more rigid than any of these shells...if they have somehow added extra welds to it or something else?
http://www.focaljet.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=8;t=002007
So I am posting the topic here to see if anyone can help out? Is this allowed? Sorry if it isn't? Here it is...
______________________________________________
Hi, just wondering, which body shell type of the Focus is the most rigid?
I used to think somehow that the sedan would be most rigid since it has a B pillar right in the middle of a large opening, as opposed to a ZX3 which has a larger opening for the single door. The ZX5 also has a B pillar exactly like the sedan to divide the opening into 2 smaller ones and so buttress the roof and the floor, but it has a larger cavity in the rear where the sedan has a smaller cavity. Not to mention that the rear hatch makes a large vertical opening compared to the opening of the sedan (which shape of opening would compromise less of the structure?)
But after reading many things on such topics, people say that 2 doors are more rigid than 4 doors. I suppose that even though the 2 door has a larger door opening, the portion aft of the door opening is a fixed metal piece and so would more than compensate for the larger opening. Does the hatch latch or trunk latch make the car more rigid when the hatch or trunk are closed?
I drive a '02 ZX5 and when I corner, I can hear creaks coming from the driver's side area (door?). Another question... does a door actually help the structure of a car? For example, if i removed a door, would the car be less rigid? The door connects the front of the car to the B pillar or rear of the car with some hinges and a door lock mechanism...I suppose that door lock mechanisms can be very strong...but was it designed to aid the rigidity?
How about a sunroof? Does this really make any difference in the rigidity? Did any Focus ever have a sunroof? Does the roof rack of the wagon help its structure?
So is this the order in decreasing stiffness of chassis (not suspension tuning, which could be the exact same for the first three types?):
1. ZX3
2. Sedan
3. ZX5
4. Wagon (entirely different rear suspension that does not have 'control blade'??)
Which one is lightest (not including the wagon)?
A door is quite heavy, even if it is a smaller rear door. There are door lock mechanisms, power windows, (side impact beams only in the front doors?), but the ZX3 does have a fixed metal area instead of the rear door...and this is heavy, too? The front door of the ZX3 is also very heavy compared to the front door of the four door versions?
All of this probably won't make a difference in the real world, but it is interesting to know?
So... the SVT 2 door would be more rigid than any of these shells...if they have somehow added extra welds to it or something else?


