Springs "destroying" shocks?

CFZ · 07-05-2011, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cossie1600

You are kidding right. Why do you think Bilstein charges $60+ for each shock rebuild. They might use the same seals, but the actual amount of gas or oil and the size of orifice are completely differently. If you ever send your shock in for a rebuild, they would ask you everything from wheel/tire weight to spring rate and all the little stuff. When your spring rate goes up 20-30% harder/quicker over what the shocks are designed for, what do you think absorbs the impact along with the spring? The stiffer spring rate effects the compression and the rebound stroke as the shock has to work much harder/quicker to return the shock back to its original position. I have nothing against this particular spring, but it's a fact that you will likely decrease the useful life of the shock simply from doing stuff like that. It could be 1000 miles, it could be 75K miles. You just don't know, but you are shortening the life of this shock by doing it. It's just common sense, the spring is 20-30% stiffer than stock!!!

(STRAIGHT FROM BILSTEIN'S WEBSITE) Interaction between spring and damper
When a car passes over an obstacle, this first has an impact on the spring, which must not be hampered by excessive damping performance on the part of the shock absorber. When a car passes over a bump in the road, for example, the obstacle forces the wheel up into the wheel housing. In the process, the spring is compressed. The shock absorber is now in its compression stage. Once the spring has levelled out the obstacle, the shock absorber has to slow down the movement of the spring as it releases its tension with great force. The shock absorber is now in its rebound stage. Compression stage (compressing of the springs and the damper, e.g. when driving over bumps in the road) = usually approx. 25% of the damping force. Rebound stage (when the spring pulls the damper apart) = usually approx. 75% of the damping force.

Conclusion: A spring with a higher spring rate (sport or lowered spring) will only work at its best in conjunction with the appropriate high-performance or sports shock absorber.

No Im not kidding you.

I dont know why you put up the pricing of the rebuild for, but are you seriously thinking that for a 60 dollar rebuild, they are going to be swapping out entire pistons for you?? No. In other words the orifices are all the same.
Also shock fluid amount is only slightly offset by the thicker shimstacks used for the rebuild.

When you revalve a shock for a certain rate they change and adjust the shim stacks, they try to give the most optimum or the most popular shock characteristics for the rates you are running for a particular vehicle. Sudden impacts on the shock generally do not affect premature wear on the shocks either because shocks have this thing called blowby (blowoff) this is when there is a high speed movement of the shock the valving goes to zero. So in other words if you run over uneven bumps that make sudden impacts in your suspension. This not only saves the shocks from blowing out but also retains traction through uneven surfaces.

The little article you used for your argument explains why you should valve the shock to what ever rate you use for optimum performance. It does NOT support your argument for a shock having a shorter lifespan. In fact nothing you stated does.

Unless you have a pos shock with a completely progressive dyno plot for the shock, it will not affect the shock life.

Thanks

cheshirecat · 06-30-2011, 04:54 PM

I've destroyed stock 350z shocks with Tanabe GF210's, which are considered an "aggressive" (but not extreme) drop. It can happen- just looks like the 370z shocks are more resistant/tolerant, which is nice.

Andy124 · 07-01-2011, 09:34 AM

i am qurious of something...why my friend bought a Swift Spring and he also bought 25mm spacers and 20mm spacers?is it needed for every aftermarket spring or any other explanation?I need to know before i get anything after i bought

cheshirecat · 07-01-2011, 11:01 AM

Spacers aren't needed for the springs. The only time spacers are really needed is if your wheel doesn't clear your brake calipers.

Spacers are mainly just for looks. The performance difference from the wider track is minimal at best.

kenchan · 07-01-2011, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheshirecat

Spacers aren't needed for the springs. The only time spacers are really needed is if your wheel doesn't clear your brake calipers.

Spacers are mainly just for looks. The performance difference from the wider track is minimal at best.

most of the questions have already been asked and answered, i believe. every car forum i go to they ask the same damn questions over and over again.

Andy124 · 07-01-2011, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheshirecat

Spacers aren't needed for the springs. The only time spacers are really needed is if your wheel doesn't clear your brake calipers.

Spacers are mainly just for looks. The performance difference from the wider track is minimal at best.

beside spacer,any other things needed when dropping a aftermarket springs?

xdeslitx · 07-01-2011, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheshirecat

Spacers aren't needed for the springs. The only time spacers are really needed is if your wheel doesn't clear your brake calipers.

Spacers are mainly just for looks. The performance difference from the wider track is minimal at best.

just personal preference...but it looks pretty nasty without spacers after a drop.
I dropped mine and wasn't planning on spacers but after less than a week, i ended up getting them.

cheshirecat · 07-01-2011, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xdeslitx

just personal preference...but it looks pretty nasty without spacers after a drop.
I dropped mine and wasn't planning on spacers but after less than a week, i ended up getting them.

I dunno man, I just don't like the tucked wheels, especially when you have the additional camber from the drop. With the camber evened out it'll probably look great as you say- I just love having the top of the wheel even with the fender.

Pic of mine with the spacers- this is before the 305s went on.

xdeslitx · 07-01-2011, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheshirecat

I dunno man, I just don't like the tucked wheels, especially when you have the additional camber from the drop. With the camber evened out it'll probably look great as you say- I just love having the top of the wheel even with the fender.

seems like you need to read what i said over again...i got spacers less than a week after i got the drop

cheshirecat · 07-01-2011, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xdeslitx

seems like you need to read what i said over again...i got spacers less than a week after i got the drop

you said "just personal preference...but it looks pretty nasty without spacers after a drop."

I disagreed with it looking "nasty" without spacers after a drop, regardless of what you did after the fact.

Andy124 · 07-01-2011, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheshirecat

I dunno man, I just don't like the tucked wheels, especially when you have the additional camber from the drop. With the camber evened out it'll probably look great as you say- I just love having the top of the wheel even with the fender.

Pic of mine with the spacers- this is before the 305s went on.

this is nice and perfect...10mm front and 15mm rear?

Vapiano · 07-04-2011, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheshirecat

I dunno man, I just don't like the tucked wheels, especially when you have the additional camber from the drop. With the camber evened out it'll probably look great as you say- I just love having the top of the wheel even with the fender.

Pic of mine with the spacers- this is before the 305s went on.

This is the drop I am looking for, did you do just springs only? If so, what brand and specs?

Thanks,

V.

Waiz · 07-06-2011, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xdeslitx

just personal preference...but it looks pretty nasty without spacers after a drop.
I dropped mine and wasn't planning on spacers but after less than a week, i ended up getting them.

You had no choice, Brian was going to unfriend you

cossie1600 · 07-01-2011, 11:15 AM

here are some 370z specifics

my oil temp is too high
how big of a tire can i use
mustang is fast, but too many people owns it
car too noisy
370 is special because there arent many around

cheshirecat · 07-01-2011, 12:56 PM

Spacers aren't needed. The only thing you need is patience and the correct tools.

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06-30-2011, 04:54 PM	#2 (permalink)
cheshirecat A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 1,428 Drives: N54 135i Rep Power: 293	I've destroyed stock 350z shocks with Tanabe GF210's, which are considered an "aggressive" (but not extreme) drop. It can happen- just looks like the 370z shocks are more resistant/tolerant, which is nice.

07-01-2011, 09:34 AM	#3 (permalink)
Andy124 Base Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Malaysia Posts: 86 Drives: Crystal White 370z Rep Power: 15	i am qurious of something...why my friend bought a Swift Spring and he also bought 25mm spacers and 20mm spacers?is it needed for every aftermarket spring or any other explanation?I need to know before i get anything after i bought

07-01-2011, 11:01 AM	#4 (permalink)
cheshirecat A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 1,428 Drives: N54 135i Rep Power: 293	Spacers aren't needed for the springs. The only time spacers are really needed is if your wheel doesn't clear your brake calipers. Spacers are mainly just for looks. The performance difference from the wider track is minimal at best.

07-01-2011, 11:15 AM	#14 (permalink)
cossie1600 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: californee way Posts: 5,380 Drives: 370, Leaf Rep Power: 31	here are some 370z specifics my oil temp is too high how big of a tire can i use mustang is fast, but too many people owns it car too noisy 370 is special because there arent many around

07-01-2011, 12:56 PM	#15 (permalink)
cheshirecat A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 1,428 Drives: N54 135i Rep Power: 293	Spacers aren't needed. The only thing you need is patience and the correct tools.