Culminator Posted October 28, 2014 Share Posted October 28, 2014 I currently have 220lb rear springs and these seem far too harsh, even with my AVO's on the softest settings. Would 150lb be a much better bet for mainly road with occaisional track day? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Support Team Shaun_E Posted October 28, 2014 Support Team Share Posted October 28, 2014 Or lower still. I've got 140 lb/in used mostly for sprint/hillclimb with some road and track and would probably try 130 if I were to change. However 150 is probably fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ECR Posted October 28, 2014 Share Posted October 28, 2014 Don't forget that softer rear springs are likely to reduce oversteer ( or increase under steer) which may not be a problem for you but learn how the new setup handles before leaning on the car Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJ. Posted October 28, 2014 Share Posted October 28, 2014 Alternatively, the standard springs are rising rate I believe, so you might get the best of both worlds.I am no expert, but just a thought.Duncan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pendennis Posted October 28, 2014 Share Posted October 28, 2014 You've got a Freestyle car haven't you?220 is too stiff yes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Culminator Posted October 28, 2014 Author Share Posted October 28, 2014 *coffee*Thanks for all the insight, I think I know where I'm going now. My car is indeed a Freestyle car and I've never been happy with the suspension, seems harsh and wooden and both ends and steering lacks the feel of a decently set up 7. I'm going to try 175lb on the front, instead of 250lb and 150lb on the rear instead of 220lb. I'll feedback the outcome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BBL Posted October 30, 2014 Share Posted October 30, 2014 I'll feedback the outcome. Looking forward to that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Culminator Posted November 1, 2014 Author Share Posted November 1, 2014 Ok, initial feedback is the ride quality seems far better, both front and rear. I can actually see the front suspension working now, which I couldn't before. Car rides a bit too low still and I've run out of adjusting thread on the platforms, so possibly have too soft a spring as its compressing when it comes off the jack. Will have a further think but it's not quite right and I'm concerned I can't get more than 65 mm under the sump, 130mm under the front chassis rail under the wishbone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon.Rogers Posted November 1, 2014 Share Posted November 1, 2014 Did you measure the wheel rate as I suggested prior to ordering your replacement springs?If you do not know the wheel rate you may as well be blindfolded whilst playing darts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative Richard Price Posted November 1, 2014 Area Representative Share Posted November 1, 2014 If you've run out of threads, and the ride height is still too low, then your springs are not necessarily too soft, but they're definitely too short.The softer the spring, the longer the free length needs to be.Are the two legs of the bellcranks that link the pushrod to the top of the damper equal lengths?Do you have the standard wide track Freestyle wishbones or the superwide? If its the standard Freestyle width, and the bellcranks are 1:1, then you can compare your spring rates with those used on normal Caterham wide track.If not, then I'm with Simon. You need to calculate the relationship between the spring rate and the wheel rate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Culminator Posted November 1, 2014 Author Share Posted November 1, 2014 Simon, thanks, I'll give you a buzz in the week. I didn't measure wheel rate but did try and call you to have a chat. Guess i need to get to the bottom of this properly.Richard, I have freestyle superwide. One of the really annoying things is, the AVO dampers seem to have different thread depths on them. Not sure of the history behind that but now thinking of taking front and rear off again and measuring up. With 250lb front springs, the front was solid. Front springs are 6" long and rears are 9" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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