Adjusting the suspension on Gaz gold pro's
Discussion
Car has been feeling neglected recently as been doing other things so giving it a good clean either this week or next week.
Was thinking whilst I have all 4 wheels off may as well adjust the suspension ride height to get it exactly how I want.
Q. If say I wanted to drop my car 1" on one corner would it roughly equate to winding out the spring 1"? or to put it another way does the amount I want to adjust from looking at the outside of the car directly relate to the actual adjustment on the spring? If not is there a formula? e.g 1" from outside = 1/2" spring adjustment? (looking to save time and do it all in on hit)
Was thinking whilst I have all 4 wheels off may as well adjust the suspension ride height to get it exactly how I want.
Q. If say I wanted to drop my car 1" on one corner would it roughly equate to winding out the spring 1"? or to put it another way does the amount I want to adjust from looking at the outside of the car directly relate to the actual adjustment on the spring? If not is there a formula? e.g 1" from outside = 1/2" spring adjustment? (looking to save time and do it all in on hit)
Hi
The quick answer is no. There is a leverage type effect as the shock is bolted nearer to the pivot than the wheel. You can calculate it as the difference from the pivot, thinking on my feet here. You need to use Pythagoras theory to work it out though, but there will be a relationship between how much you wind the spring out and how far the wheel moves. I'll have a think about it, will need to take some measurements.
N
The quick answer is no. There is a leverage type effect as the shock is bolted nearer to the pivot than the wheel. You can calculate it as the difference from the pivot, thinking on my feet here. You need to use Pythagoras theory to work it out though, but there will be a relationship between how much you wind the spring out and how far the wheel moves. I'll have a think about it, will need to take some measurements.
N
Ok, seeing as you've asked. The height increase will be based upon the cosine of the included angle between damper and a vertical line from the upper damper retaining bolt. As the angle remains the same i.e is a constant, and is a function of the vertical and the damper, then it can be expressed as a ratio.
you can work out the cosine of the angle by using a protractor and log tables (showing my age there) or by measuring the distance between top damper bolt and floor (A), and top damper mount and the point at whihc the damper line extended hits the floor (H). Divide A by H and the answer is the cosine.
If you now multiply the cosine by the amount you increase/decrease the damper length by, the result wil be the difference (+/-) in height.
Simples.
Of course, in reality the damper is mounted to the lower wishbone whose length remains the same, so increasing the length of the damper actually decreases the included angle whihc b*****s up the above. The difference will be small but the result is that if you increase the length of the damper, the height increse of the car will be slightly more (perhaps a mm or so) than anticipated.
you can work out the cosine of the angle by using a protractor and log tables (showing my age there) or by measuring the distance between top damper bolt and floor (A), and top damper mount and the point at whihc the damper line extended hits the floor (H). Divide A by H and the answer is the cosine.
If you now multiply the cosine by the amount you increase/decrease the damper length by, the result wil be the difference (+/-) in height.
Simples.
Of course, in reality the damper is mounted to the lower wishbone whose length remains the same, so increasing the length of the damper actually decreases the included angle whihc b*****s up the above. The difference will be small but the result is that if you increase the length of the damper, the height increse of the car will be slightly more (perhaps a mm or so) than anticipated.
Thanks Konrod.
I guess the problem will be not having a 'pit' as it will be difficult to measure the above points without one.....
But then again if I had a 'pit' I could use the option of trial and error as wouldn't have to take the wheel off, adjust, put the wheel on, drive round the block, let it settle and see if its right.
I guess the problem will be not having a 'pit' as it will be difficult to measure the above points without one.....
But then again if I had a 'pit' I could use the option of trial and error as wouldn't have to take the wheel off, adjust, put the wheel on, drive round the block, let it settle and see if its right.
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