Discussion
Right, I've just fitted some new AVO springs and dampers on the rear 
and have got the ride height correct.
On reading the paperwork it says the knurled damper control knob should be set at it's furthest setting anti-clockwise and has a 22 position adjustment range.
The car feels great as it is, but curiosity has the better of me, what affect will it have on the ride/feel of the car if I start to turn it clockwise some?
I know I could go out and try it, but I've had enough of groping around under the car for one day.
and have got the ride height correct. On reading the paperwork it says the knurled damper control knob should be set at it's furthest setting anti-clockwise and has a 22 position adjustment range.
The car feels great as it is, but curiosity has the better of me, what affect will it have on the ride/feel of the car if I start to turn it clockwise some?
I know I could go out and try it, but I've had enough of groping around under the car for one day.
The paperwork should explain how to determine the optimum setting for you car. The minimum setting is just a starting point. The more you turn the dampers clockwise, the more damping you'll get. Typically, more damping will improve the body control when you chuck the car around but will make the car less comfortable. But you can definitely have too much of a good thing, it isn't as simple as sticking them on 'min' for motorways and 'max' for racing.
My preferred technique for setting dampers is based on the idea of hard and soft limits. The soft limit is the minimum damper setting that you think might be OK. The hard limit is the maximum damper setting that you think might be OK. By experiment you will narrow these down to find the single best setting for you. Initially, the soft limit is the minimum damping position (fully anticlockwise i.e. 0 clicks) and the hard limit is the maximum damping position (fully clockwise i.e. 22 clicks). Set the dampers to the soft limit, drive the car, set them to the hard limit, drive the car again. Whichever limit felt worst, move it one click towards the other limit. Keep doing this again and again until both limits feel equally good. For example if 0 clicks feels OK and 22 clicks feels as knobbly as anything, try comparing 0 clicks and 21 clicks. Gradually you will narrow down the range of positions that are OK. Eventually you will get to the point where the hard and soft limits feel equally good. Now, set the dampers to the soft limit and you're done.
My preferred technique for setting dampers is based on the idea of hard and soft limits. The soft limit is the minimum damper setting that you think might be OK. The hard limit is the maximum damper setting that you think might be OK. By experiment you will narrow these down to find the single best setting for you. Initially, the soft limit is the minimum damping position (fully anticlockwise i.e. 0 clicks) and the hard limit is the maximum damping position (fully clockwise i.e. 22 clicks). Set the dampers to the soft limit, drive the car, set them to the hard limit, drive the car again. Whichever limit felt worst, move it one click towards the other limit. Keep doing this again and again until both limits feel equally good. For example if 0 clicks feels OK and 22 clicks feels as knobbly as anything, try comparing 0 clicks and 21 clicks. Gradually you will narrow down the range of positions that are OK. Eventually you will get to the point where the hard and soft limits feel equally good. Now, set the dampers to the soft limit and you're done.
Thanks for that Peter.
Infact the documentation that came with them didn't tell me much at all - basically, set the damper control to minimum and leave it there.
This is what I have done, and to be honest it feels OK, (I'm guessing minimum is the softest seting?). The roads around here are terrible so a really firm ride would just shake the fillings out.
I don't do trackdays, but sometimes like a spirited drive, so do intend to fettle a litte more.
I have to say though, early impressions, I am very pleased with the level of grip they seem to provide. I use a local mini-roundabout every day, and yesterday got part way round and gave it some large but smooth right foot, no wheelspin or tailslide just rocket like acceleration out of it.
I guess now though I need to re-visit it and find the limit with the new set-up
Infact the documentation that came with them didn't tell me much at all - basically, set the damper control to minimum and leave it there.
This is what I have done, and to be honest it feels OK, (I'm guessing minimum is the softest seting?). The roads around here are terrible so a really firm ride would just shake the fillings out.
I don't do trackdays, but sometimes like a spirited drive, so do intend to fettle a litte more.
I have to say though, early impressions, I am very pleased with the level of grip they seem to provide. I use a local mini-roundabout every day, and yesterday got part way round and gave it some large but smooth right foot, no wheelspin or tailslide just rocket like acceleration out of it.
I guess now though I need to re-visit it and find the limit with the new set-up
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