[A4] suspension theory thoughts, questions, etc - grooved shocks

[Kevin Hoff]

I had an elaborate note written with all sorts of stuff about adjusting
corner weights etc but really everyone here can find better information
about coilover setup by using google than what I can write.  Here's a photo
of a Penske race shock though:

http://www.penskeshocks.co.uk/pics/series_81002.jpg

This is probably the most used damper in formula car racing.  Notice that
there is just one perch on the bottom to adjust ride height and an elegant
fixed upper perch.  Here's a picture of a Tien shock with the "preload"
style threaded body setup:

http://www.autoall.com/images_products/gs300_tein_flex_b1097.jpg

Both work, the Tien is just convenient in that it allows spring length to be
not as big a deal.  (notice that the top perch on the Tien is fixed.  Moving
the top perch up or down just adjusts for clearance problems, same effect as
adding washers as another poster noted.) For normal people who don't buy
springs in multiple sets it allows a bit of adaptability, letting one spring
length work with more than one application.  It does give you more ways to
hang yourself with mistaken adjustments though...

--Kevin H.
Durham, NC
86 4kq, and a few Subarus

> -----Original Message-----
> From: quattro-bounces at audifans.com 
> [mailto:quattro-bounces at audifans.com] On Behalf Of Huw Powell
> Sent: Thursday, January 11, 2007 9:44 PM
> To: thejimrose
> Cc: quattro at audifans.com
> Subject: Re: [A4] suspension theory thoughts, questions, etc 
> - grooved shocks
> 
> 
> 
> > see here: a pic is worth a gazillion words.
> 
> The site defaults to index, this works better:
> 
> http://www.stasisengineering.com/Admin/MainImage/MSSusp1main.JPG
> 
> Here's my next thought - instead of simply cranking on the 
> bottom perch to lower/raise the car, moving the shock out of 
> it's "sweet spot", you move *both* ends towards each other or 
> apart.  This keeps the spring "centered" on the center of the 
> shock travel.  I would make a diagram, but my head just 
> exploded and I have to clean the brain scraps off my monitor first.