Dampers (Bump & Rebound)
Dampers control how fast the suspension moves. Bump = compression speed, rebound = extension speed.
Travel oscillation (Δ/frame stdev)0.0114
Front travel p9583.4%
Rear travel p9581.6%
Frames > 95% compressed0.49%
What it does
Springs decide how far the suspension travels; dampers decide how quickly. Stiff dampers make weight transfer feel sharp and immediate; soft dampers smear it across more time so the car feels languid but glued.
Industry rule of thumb (used by ForzaTune and most community calculators): bump ≈ 60–70% of rebound. That asymmetry is because the spring is doing some of the work on the way back — rebound mostly fights overshoot, while bump has to absorb the full hit.
Like springs, dampers can shift corner balance, but the effect only appears during a *transition* (turn-in, throttle-on, kerbs). Steady-state balance is a spring / ARB job.
In-game controls
Rebound stiffness (front/rear)
Range: Often 6–12 on the in-game scale; tied to spring rate
Raise →
sharper rebound, more stable on smooth tarmac; can crash over kerbs
← Lower
softer rebound, soaks up bumps; can let car oscillate
Bump stiffness (front/rear)
Range: 60–70% of rebound is a safe start
Raise →
crisp on turn-in but rejects bumps
← Lower
absorbs hits but allows pitch dive
Watch these telemetry signals
- Suspension travelsuspensionWhere: Corner panels, suspension bar (0..1, flashes red at >0.95)Plot the bar after a kerb: if it bounces back and oscillates, rebound is too soft. If it crashes back down hard, rebound is too stiff.
- Tire slip ratio (longitudinal)slipRatioWhere: Corner panels, "slip R" — front/rear and L/RSpikes after a bump = wheel skipped briefly → dampers (usually bump) too stiff
- Tire slip angle (lateral)slipAngleWhere: Corner panels, "slip A" — compare front vs rearSharp turn-in oversteer that settles after 100 ms = front rebound too aggressive (front pops up, rear stays planted)
Symptom → fix
| What you feel | Likely cause | Try this |
|---|---|---|
| Car oscillates after kerbs / bumps | Rebound too soft — spring overshoots and dampers don't catch it | Raise rebound 1–2 clicks on the offending axle |
| Car "skips" or loses grip over rough surfaces | Bump too stiff — wheel can't follow the surface | Lower bump 1–2 clicks; if symptom is one axle only, just that axle |
| Snap oversteer on turn-in | Front rebound too high → front unloads aggressively | Soften front rebound; consider softening rear bump to match |
| Sluggish response, vague turn-in | Bump too soft | Raise front bump 1–2 clicks first |