Anyone here understand springs and shocks?
01-22-2004, 07:35 AM
#3
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ok here goes...
Stock Springs on Aftermarket Shocks - will work because the shocks can function within the physical characteristics of the spring.
Aftermarket Spring and Stock Shocks - bad idea because the shocks are not designed to handle the different k values of the spring. This includes the stiffness, travel distance, etc.
Think of it as your shocks taking an input from your spring. You'd want a better shock before a better spring...
Aftermarket Spring and Stock Shocks - bad idea because the shocks are not designed to handle the different k values of the spring. This includes the stiffness, travel distance, etc.
Think of it as your shocks taking an input from your spring. You'd want a better shock before a better spring...
01-22-2004, 07:47 AM
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This actually depends..
High pressure shocks like Bilsteins have what's called a "floater" inside the shock. It helps reduce the cavitation and foaming in the fluid. Twin tube shocks don't have this. As a result, if the shock shaft isn't made shorter on monotubes, the piston can come in physical contact with the floater, and damager the piston.
It's one reason shocks like Bilstein have a Sport and HD version, with the sport having a shorter shaft.
Twin tube shocks do eventually encounter the same problem, but they typically have an additional couple centimeters of space before hitting the bottom foot valve.
It's one reason shocks like Bilstein have a Sport and HD version, with the sport having a shorter shaft.
Twin tube shocks do eventually encounter the same problem, but they typically have an additional couple centimeters of space before hitting the bottom foot valve.
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01-22-2004, 08:00 AM
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yup.
It basically comes down to how much you lower the car.
Ideally you want the piston to operate in the middle of the shock body.
The more you lower the car, the more the piston operates towards the bottom of the shock body. This can potentially cause damage, as the piston may hit the bottom of the shock.
Some shocks are more prone to this than others, and it depends on their design.
Ideally you want the piston to operate in the middle of the shock body.
The more you lower the car, the more the piston operates towards the bottom of the shock body. This can potentially cause damage, as the piston may hit the bottom of the shock.
Some shocks are more prone to this than others, and it depends on their design.
01-22-2004, 09:26 AM
#9
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So each shock in theory has an "ideal height", is this specified?
And depending on shock design, some shocks are more capable of operating at a variety of heights than others?
01-22-2004, 09:44 AM
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More like a range of heights..
But yes, a shock does have a range of motion that it works best in. If you operate outside that range, you can get dangerously close to bottoming out, or topping out the shock piston, and thus damage it.