coilover experience.

[Preen59]

you guys are crazy.

the spring rate of the keeper spring is low, true, however it plays an important role. see, it might not be in use when the car is sitting on its wheels, flat (could be completely coil bound) but as you go over and bump and the suspension extends, it helps the suspension to extend as load is removed from that wheel, as the main spring, being so hard, cannot extend very far. furthermore, it will help control the load up of that strut again as weight goes back on, since the sppring will resist the loading a little.

maybe i'm just getting old (okay, i am, holy crap im nearly 24) but running too low just causes soooooo many problems.

This is pretty much exactly what i was going to say.

Basically, when there's a dip in the road, the helper spring extends the shock to follow the road. This makes the ride smoother. It's not very stiff, so it doesn't (or shouldn't) affect the rebound during cornering much at all, but helps over bumps in day to day running. Otherwise when you go over a dip, the wheel doesn't extend down far enough and becomes unweighted, followed by it coming "crashing" down to the road (with the full corner weight on top of it) and onto the fairly hard main spring. That's what makes the ride feel harsh. Well, one of the reasons anyway..

[Spyda]

As far as i know the only reason to take the helper spring out is to to get that extra 2" lower. I thought it was prity plane and simple, the shorter distance your shock can travel the worse your ride is.

[gldgti]

the results are plain and simple - but the reasons behind the results are far from it

[Jarred]

the results are plain and simple - but the reasons behind the results are far from it

yea, pretty much I just wanted to share the experience, just incase anyone else had ever wondered.

Dado, it didn't go 2" lower at all man. made bugger all and didly squat differnce to the height. Deffo not worth the compromise of bad ride quality.

[Spyda]

yea, pretty much I just wanted to share the experience, just incase anyone else had ever wondered.

Dado, it didn't go 2" lower at all man. made bugger all and didly squat differnce to the height. Deffo not worth the compromise of bad ride quality.

I ment by taking out the helper you can twist the coilovers that 2" lower. Where as the limit before was the helper plus the spacer plus the spring, with it removed it would the just the spring and you would gain whatever the helper was when its compressed.

[Jarred]

oh yea I see what you mean man. I can't imagine that ride would be any good at all, without the helper springs and at the lowest setting. i might try it one day, to see how low it really goes, but I'd have to clearance the RHS chassi first probably.

[gtimk5]

I am still confused as to why you guys want to drop your cars so low?
For everyday road cars it doesnt make any sense to me at all, you must have perfect roads over there, tho I found the Hume hwy pretty bad with crowns in it heading towards Melbourne.
Handling wise you really need suspension travel.
I know I will probably get flamed for my opinion, but I spose I will have to accept that....

Cant wait to see how many have clearanced there RHS driveshaft at the DOVW, not interested in scraping sumps, leaking sumps on public roads yes...

[Jarred]

I am still confused as to why you guys want to drop your cars so low?
For everyday road cars it doesnt make any sense to me at all, you must have perfect roads over there, tho I found the Hume hwy pretty bad with crowns in it heading towards Melbourne.
Handling wise you really need suspension travel.
I know I will probably get flamed for my opinion, but I spose I will have to accept that....

Cant wait to see how many have clearanced there RHS driveshaft at the DOVW, not interested in scraping sumps, leaking sumps on public roads yes...

Only live once I guess? young and stupid? I donno. I just want to cause I think it looks good. This isn't a race car, not is it set up for great handling etc. Not trying to flame you Andrew, because you've said nothing wrong, it's just an explaination. (the purpose of this 'experiment' wasn't to be lower though)


I'll give you a turn behind the tiller if you want, then you can experience them first hand. I dont drive too far everyday, so it's not too bad, if I was doing lots more kms than I am, I'd have a different car all together!

[Tim]

I am still confused as to why you guys want to drop your cars so low?
For everyday road cars it doesnt make any sense to me at all, you must have perfect roads over there, tho I found the Hume hwy pretty bad with crowns in it heading towards Melbourne.
Handling wise you really need suspension travel.
I know I will probably get flamed for my opinion, but I spose I will have to accept that....

Cant wait to see how many have clearanced there RHS driveshaft at the DOVW, not interested in scraping sumps, leaking sumps on public roads yes...

Some people prefer show before go.. I think its as simple as that. Kinda like really heavy 19" wheels on my GTI. They detract from the performance but they sure to look awful purty

[evorobin]

This is pretty much exactly what i was going to say.

Basically, when there's a dip in the road, the helper spring extends the shock to follow the road. This makes the ride smoother. It's not very stiff, so it doesn't (or shouldn't) affect the rebound during cornering much at all, but helps over bumps in day to day running. Otherwise when you go over a dip, the wheel doesn't extend down far enough and becomes unweighted, followed by it coming "crashing" down to the road (with the full corner weight on top of it) and onto the fairly hard main spring. That's what makes the ride feel harsh. Well, one of the reasons anyway..

Just seen this and agree with Preeny the helper spring keeps the main spring sured. While people will do this I certainly wouldn't recommend it unless for a smooth race track.