There has been a lot of talk about suspensions lately and I hope to make people understand what they are running without breaking the bank. I don't care if you are running coilovers, leaf springs, or ride height, and anyone of the number of shocks out there. There is something for everyone to learn here and understand why and what is really happening. How can you tell if your shock is working for you and not against you during your normal driving condition??? Easy test!!!

So, today's homework assignment is to learn about the shock and it's importance on a car. There is a old but still very true fact about traction, "never let a loaded tire become unloaded".
When the wheel goes up and down there is a rate in which this is happening. This rate can't be measured without a very good eye, laying on the track at the apex. Or using a fancy shock sensor and trick computer $$$$. We have done it both ways in the past and it works very well. I see a lot of times people including myself getting the cart in front of the horse and not checking the most basic thing out there.

We have all seen the slammed look of a corvette. Well it's not always done right and without any testing to make sure things are still working right. As the wheel moves up into the fender, it is called bump travel. So from ride height to full bump is what we will be your homework assignment. The reason for this homework is to see how much of the shock you are really using and how much of your "good handling" is really just a feeling in your gut. Once the shock get to the bump stop or bottoms out there is no where for the tire to go, but airborne. Never unload a loaded tire!!!

This is the assignment that I have been talking about. Take 2-4 zip-ties, brighter the color the better. Wrap them around your shock shaft. I use either a wire cutter, or a nail clipper to take off the extra end. Then pull the zip tie all the way to shock body. Then take the car out on your normal drive. DON"T run over 6X6s or anything stupid. Just drive down your twisty road, lap around the track, down the river road, or some other fun drive. Then jack the car back up and see where the zip tie ended up. Report back your findings.


Randy

 

This should be good!

 

I've used zip ties on race cars
I never bothered to with street cars

Some may be surprised.

 

I was airborne on the back roads in Ohio so...all the way? That was with a stock FE4 set-up not lowered.

Yellow speed signs are only suggestions!

 

This test-homework is to deal with bump only. IF you are airborne, then you would be seeing droop travel. Until you landed, then you would get into some bump.

Randy
IT sure is calm during flight