Can someone explain how springs and shocks affect the ride quality?
04-03-2002, 10:45 AM
#2
Shocks for the most part...
...the weight of the car is supported by the springs. The movement of the suspension is controlled by the shock absorbers. Of course they have to be me matched properly for the springs on the vehicle, or they may over/underreact to the necessary movements of the suspension, and there is only so much a shock can do if the spring is real stiff.
04-03-2002, 10:57 AM
#5
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Usually it's the road.
Sorry, I couldn't resist.
Ride quality is more often associated with the way a shock performs, but cars with stiff springs can also suffer from a rough ride. (Not always due to a poorly-matched shock.)
I used to have this argument with a friend of mine: "was it the shocks or springs that made my GTI ride like a lil red wagon?" He kept blaming my choice of spring rate. Then I blew out my front shocks on a railroad crossing -- and ended up with a Cadillac-cushy ride over most bumps.
A well designed damper (shock) will have a different compliance curve depending on the frequency of the bump; this allows for a fairly comfortable ride even with stiff springs.
Ride quality is more often associated with the way a shock performs, but cars with stiff springs can also suffer from a rough ride. (Not always due to a poorly-matched shock.)
I used to have this argument with a friend of mine: "was it the shocks or springs that made my GTI ride like a lil red wagon?" He kept blaming my choice of spring rate. Then I blew out my front shocks on a railroad crossing -- and ended up with a Cadillac-cushy ride over most bumps.
A well designed damper (shock) will have a different compliance curve depending on the frequency of the bump; this allows for a fairly comfortable ride even with stiff springs.
04-03-2002, 11:33 AM
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Also consider your tire pressure. I find that anything over 35psi (cold) on the street tends to
amplify bumps. I run higher pressures out on a track, but for daily driving the lower pressure is more comfortable.
Obviously springs/shocks will have a far more profound effect on your ride, but this one item is often overlooked.
Obviously springs/shocks will have a far more profound effect on your ride, but this one item is often overlooked.
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