RC Anti-Squat Explained
What Is Anti-Squat?
Anti-Squat is a rear suspension geometry setting that controls how much the rear of your RC car compresses (or “squats”) under acceleration.
In simple terms, Anti-Squat is defined by the angle of the rear inner hinge pins. When the front of those pins is higher than the rear, you have Anti-Squat.
• 0° Anti-Squat = hinge pins are flat (parallel to the chassis)
• More Anti-Squat = pins angled upward toward the front
• Less Anti-Squat = pins closer to flat (or even downward in rare cases)
The goal of Anti-Squat is to control weight transfer and rear suspension compression under throttle.
How Does Anti-Squat Affect Your Car?
Anti-Squat mainly affects acceleration behavior, traction and on-power steering.
More Anti-Squat
• Reduces rear suspension compression under throttle
• Keeps the rear end higher during acceleration
• Increases forward drive on high-grip surfaces
• Reduces on-power steering
• Can make the rear feel loose in corners
• Adds rear lift on jumps
In short: more Anti-Squat = faster weight transfer and a more aggressive feel.
Less Anti-Squat
• Allows the rear to squat more under acceleration
• Increases rear grip on low-traction surfaces
• Improves on-power steering
• Adds stability in corners and bumps
• Slows weight transfer
In short: less Anti-Squat = more forgiving and planted.
A key concept here: Anti-Squat limits how much weight transfers through the suspension, which directly changes how the tires load and generate grip.
How Do You Change Anti-Squat?
Anti-Squat is adjusted through the rear suspension mount geometry, typically in one of three ways:
1. Hinge Pin Inserts (Most Common)
• Swap inserts in the rear arm mounts
• Inserts are labeled in degrees (e.g., 2°, 3°, 4°)
2. Raising or Lowering Mounts
• Raising the front hinge pin mount = more Anti-Squat
• Lowering the rear hinge pin mount = more Anti-Squat
3. Adjustable Suspension Blocks
• Some race kits allow fine tuning with shims or adjustable blocks
The key is simple:
• Increase angle = more Anti-Squat
• Flatten angle = less Anti-Squat
When To Increase Or Decrease Anti-Squat
This is where tuning gets track-specific.
Increase Anti-Squat When:
• Track has high traction (clay, carpet, prepped dirt)
• You want more forward bite on acceleration
• The car feels lazy coming out of corners
• You need more jump rotation / rear lift
Decrease Anti-Squat When:
• Track is loose, dusty or low grip
• Surface is bumpy or rough
• Rear end feels loose or inconsistent
• You want more corner stability and side bite
A good rule of thumb:
• High grip = more Anti-Squat
• Low grip = less Anti-Squat
What to Check After Changing Anti-Squat
Anti-Squat doesn’t work in isolation. Changing it will affect several other tuning areas.
1. Rear Camber
• More Anti-Squat can reduce effective rear grip
• You may need to add Camber for stability
2. Rear Toe
• If the rear gets loose, consider adding rear Toe-In
3. Shock Setup (Oil and Springs)
Less squat changes how the shocks work. You may need to adjust:
• Rear spring rate
• Shock oil weight
4. Ride Height
• Anti-Squat affects how the chassis sits under power
• Recheck rear Ride Height after changes
5. Weight Transfer Balance
Anti-Squat shifts how weight moves through the car. You may need to adjust:
• Battery position
• Front suspension settings
6. Differential Setup
More Anti-Squat can make power delivery more aggressive. Consider tuning:
• Diff fluid (4WD)
• Slipper clutch
FAQ
Q: What is a good starting Anti-Squat setting?
A: Most 1/10 off-road cars start around 2° – 3° Anti-Squat. This gives a balanced mix of traction and stability.
Q: Does more Anti-Squat always mean more traction?
A: No. It can increase forward bite on high grip, but too much will reduce overall rear grip, especially on loose tracks.
Q: Why does my car feel loose after adding Anti-Squat?
A: You’ve likely reduced rear suspension compliance. Try reducing Anti-Squat, adding rear toe or swapping to softer rear springs.
Q: Is Anti-Squat more important for 2WD or 4WD?
A: It’s critical for both, but:
• 2WD: More noticeable effect on traction and corner exit
• 4WD: More about fine-tuning balance and rotation
Q: Does Anti-Squat affect jumping?
A: Yes. More Anti-Squat can increase rear kick on takeoff to help pitch the car in the air.
Q: Can Anti-Squat fix poor acceleration?
A: Sometimes, but it’s not the first thing to change. Check the tires, your diff setup and the weight balance. The final option is to practice throttle control.
Anti-Squat is more of a fine-tuning tool than a primary fix.
Related Tuning Adjustments
To get the most out of this setup change, review these related guides:
• Shocks
• Weight Distribution
Back to the RC Suspension Tuning Guide.
