Re[2]: Coil Spring Life

[jackr@internet.kronos.com]

     A shock should be able to dampen a weak spring even more easily than 
     it could a strong spring.  Reaching way back to what little physics I 
     think I remember....  In the absence of any shock, a weak spring will 
     be compressed more by the weight of the car (the car sits lower) than 
     the strong spring, and it would bouncing more slowly.  With the shock, 
     the weak spring will still compress more, it should take less work to 
     depress the car, and the return upwards will be somewhat slower.  A 
     weak shock will dampen the weak spring, where it might have a harder 
     time with the strong spring. So this is a better shock test than 
     spring test, especially regarding how long the car keeps bouncing.
     
     Jack Rich


______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Re: Coil Spring Life
Author:  Jonathan Monetti <jmonetti@us.net> at internet
Date:    3/18/97 14:15


But Jack, if shocks/strut inserts are good, and springs are worn/weak, 
shouldn't the car should bounce more easily--the shock only dampens 
the motion, the spring actually bears most of the weight.  Wouldn't we 
expect flex action be increased/easier with a worn spring? 
     
JAT
     
Jonathan Monetti
86 Coupe GT, 84k
     
     
On Tue, 18 Mar 1997 jackr@internet.kronos.com wrote:
     
>  >you may want to do a poor-man's test--bounce a corner of the car with your 
>  body 
>  weight.  It shouldn't bounce more than 1.5 to 2 times, with  decreasing 
>  travel.
>      
>      This is a shock test, not a spring test.  If the shocks are worn, they 
>      won't absorb the bouncing of the car.  (I also think 2 times indicates 
>      worn-out shocks.)
>      
>      Jack Rich
> 
>