Adj. shocks question

[dbebb55]

Hi kids.... I've thing I've gone brain dead. If I crank the large rings on the bottom of the shocks up, thus compressing the coil springs, will the body of the car lower down or go up? I know its a dumb question, but the concept seems to be eluding my last living brain cell.
Thanks for helping

Dave
90SE

[jk1]

Dave,

If you raise the lower spring perch (by raising the nuts), you will raise the car.

Jim

>> Edited by jk1 on Sunday 9th January 20:29

[dbebb55]

Jim... Thanks for your help

Dave
90SE

[janszott]

So how do you know that you've got the shocks adjusted right? side to side/back to front? without a set of scales?

[jk1]

janszott said:

So how do you know that you've got the shocks adjusted right? side to side/back to front? without a set of scales?

Jan,

You don't as I'm sure you already know, but how many people have a set of scales and know how to use them? :

For most of us who mainly drive our cars on the street the best we can do is adjust the ride height to spec and try to get it as even left to right as possible.

One question for you though. Although I've never done it, I understand the basic principle of corner weights but do you have to compromise between having the correct corner weight and having the ride height equal left/right and front/rear if you know what I mean?

Thanks,
Jim

[LotusSE89]

jk1 said:

janszott said: So how do you know that you've got the shocks adjusted right? side to side/back to front? without a set of scales? Jan, You don't as I'm sure you already know, but how many people have a set of scales and know how to use them? : For most of us who mainly drive our cars on the street the best we can do is adjust the ride height to spec and try to get it as even left to right as possible. One question for you though. Although I've never done it, I understand the basic principle of corner weights but do you have to compromise between having the correct corner weight and having the ride height equal left/right and front/rear if you know what I mean? Thanks, Jim

For this very reason, I found it best to raise my driverside rear (USA LHD) shock spring perch by about 3-4mm to account for the "Esprit Lean". This also had the effect of evening out the handling due to there being more weight on that wheel. Raising the suspension reduced the corner weight. Car feels more even between left and right turns now. I had the car aligned after raising the pring perch.

Travis
Vulcan Grey 89SE
www.lotuscolorado.com/vulcangrey/

[janszott]

jk1 said:

janszott said: So how do you know that you've got the shocks adjusted right? side to side/back to front? without a set of scales? Jan, You don't as I'm sure you already know, but how many people have a set of scales and know how to use them? : For most of us who mainly drive our cars on the street the best we can do is adjust the ride height to spec and try to get it as even left to right as possible. One question for you though. Although I've never done it, I understand the basic principle of corner weights but do you have to compromise between having the correct corner weight and having the ride height equal left/right and front/rear if you know what I mean? Thanks, Jim

The answer to your question is no. You can have any ride height you like and still maintain proper corner weights. Imagine a perfect car with 25% weight on each corner. Turn each corner up one turn and you are now higher but balance is maintained.
I was hoping someone had a good trick to do it without scales.
I used to race formula 2000 and I only had one scale and one dolly same height as the scale. It took 2 or three times around to get the weights right.