Will softer shocks decrease need to align the car on rough roads?

Drivaar · 08-03-2011, 02:28 AM

I was thinking that softer shocks will absorb more of the energy from bumps, thus reducing the impact on the components related to alignment...

But is that still true if the alignment components are between the shocks and the road, rather than between the shocks and the chassis? (Not even sure if I've got that right, coz I don't know where exactly the alignment stuff is placed.)

Any advice is always appreciated. Thanks!

The HACK · 08-03-2011, 03:12 PM

I'm not sure you understand the function of the dampers properly. "Softer" shocks don't absorb more of the impact energy. Softer dampers allow MORE movement by the springs, meaning they're free to compress and expand more than a "stiff" gala Ed dampers.

The end result is, with softer shocks the springs compress easily and you end up hitting the bumps stops more frequently and the same problems that results in the alignment being out of whack will cause it to go out of alignment more often. What you need is longer suspension travel in combination with a lower spring rate to allow that energy to be dissipated before hitting the bump stops. You know, like how Camry and Lexus calibrate their suspension.

neoduffer · 08-03-2011, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The HACK

... What you need is longer suspension travel in combination with a lower spring rate to allow that energy to be dissipated before hitting the bump stops. You know, like how Camry and Lexus calibrate their suspension.

JunkStory · 08-03-2011, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The HACK

I'm not sure you understand the function of the dampers properly. "Softer" shocks don't absorb more of the impact energy. Softer dampers allow MORE movement by the springs, meaning they're free to compress and expand more than a "stiff" gala Ed dampers.

The end result is, with softer shocks the springs compress easily and you end up hitting the bumps stops more frequently and the same problems that results in the alignment being out of whack will cause it to go out of alignment more often. What you need is longer suspension travel in combination with a lower spring rate to allow that energy to be dissipated before hitting the bump stops. You know, like how Camry and Lexus calibrate their suspension.

+1

The answer to the question is yes IF you along with the softer shock, you have longer travel + a longer spring.

A softer shock by itself might make things worse because you bottom out more.

captainaudio · 08-03-2011, 06:57 PM

The answer to your question is Koni FSD.

CA

08-03-2011, 02:28 AM	#1
Drivaar Lieutenant 73 Rep 463 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Earth iTrader: (0)	Will softer shocks decrease need to align the car on rough roads? I was thinking that softer shocks will absorb more of the energy from bumps, thus reducing the impact on the components related to alignment... But is that still true if the alignment components are between the shocks and the road, rather than between the shocks and the chassis? (Not even sure if I've got that right, coz I don't know where exactly the alignment stuff is placed.) Any advice is always appreciated. Thanks!
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08-03-2011, 03:12 PM	#2
The HACK Midlife Crises Racing Silent but Deadly Class 1821 Rep 5,337 Posts Drives: 2006 MZ4C, 2021 Tesla Model 3 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Welcome to Jamaica have a nice day iTrader: (1)	I'm not sure you understand the function of the dampers properly. "Softer" shocks don't absorb more of the impact energy. Softer dampers allow MORE movement by the springs, meaning they're free to compress and expand more than a "stiff" gala Ed dampers. The end result is, with softer shocks the springs compress easily and you end up hitting the bumps stops more frequently and the same problems that results in the alignment being out of whack will cause it to go out of alignment more often. What you need is longer suspension travel in combination with a lower spring rate to allow that energy to be dissipated before hitting the bump stops. You know, like how Camry and Lexus calibrate their suspension. __________________ Sitting on a beat-up office chair in front of a 5 year old computer in a basement floor, sipping on stale coffee watching a bunch of meaningless numbers scrolling aimlessly on a dimly lit 19” monitor.
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08-03-2011, 06:57 PM	#5
captainaudio World's Foremost Authority 1181 Rep 4,535 Posts Drives: M4 Cab - Cayenne GTS - Jag XK Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Upper East Side Manhattan - Boca Raton FL - Lime Rock CT iTrader: (0)	The answer to your question is Koni FSD. CA __________________ Drivers Club at Lime Rock - International Motorsports Research Center - Society of Automotive Historians - Madison Avenue Sports Car Driving and Chowder Society (0nly a VP) - BMWCCA - Porsche Club of America - M Gruppe - Polish Race Drivers of America (PDRA) - Glen Club (Watkins Glen International) - Jaguar Club of Southern New England
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