FWIW, progressive springs work based on the principle of fewer coils make a
stiffer spring. If you ever look at how progressive springs are wound some of
the coils are closer to gether than others. As the spring is compressed these
coils that are closer together come in contact before the other coils and cause
an increase in the spring rate for the remaining active portion of the spring.
Also, with all other things being equal a larger diameter spring will have a
lower spring rate (more leverage to twist the wire) and larger diameter wire
will increase the rate.
Dave Clement
99 SLT+ CC 4x4
In article <0a5901c42d42$c5cf38c0$f95f2241@a.tampabay.rr.com>,
acellan1@tampabay.rr.com ("Tony Cellana") writes:
>
>
> I was assuming a non-progressive coil.
>
> I understand Hotchkis NOT recommending the spring be cut (think lawsuit,
> etc.). But a ton of the R/T guys and those on the Delphi board have done
> just that with excellent results. Of course YMMV. And as Bernd said,
> taking a little off at a time is better than too much and having to buy a
> new set, IF you decide to go this route.
>
> TonyC
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Bernd D. Ratsch <fasstdak@hotmail.com>
> To: dakota-truck@dakota-truck.net <dakota-truck@dakota-truck.net>
> Date: Wednesday, April 28, 2004 11:27 AM
> Subject: Re: DML: Re: Suspension Q's Attn Jason
>
>
> >
> >And then there's spring diameter, how many coils, if they're a progressive
> >or standard rate coil...
> >
> >Wouldn't cut the springs. I talked to Jon Hotchkis on my setup and they do
> >not recommend cutting them. If you do...go 1/4 coil at a time.
> >
> >- Bernd
> >
> >----- Original Message -----
> >From: <david.clement@verizon.net>
> >To: <dakota-truck-moderator@bent.twistedbits.net>
> >Sent: Wednesday, April 28, 2004 10:05 AM
> >Subject: Re: DML: Re: Suspension Q's Attn Jason
> >
> >
> >>
> >> In article <086101c42d19$0ddf8040$f95f2241@a.tampabay.rr.com>,
> >> acellan1@tampabay.rr.com ("Tony Cellana") writes:
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > I didn't realize you were doing some sort of class racing. Cutting
> >springs
> >> > does NOT change their rate. There is just less of the spring available
> >for
> >> > travel.
> >>
> >> Absoultly wrong there. Cutting a spring increases the spring rate
> directly
> >in
> >> proportion to the amount of coil removed. A coil spring is nothing more
> >than a
> >> curled up torsion bar. That is, as the coil is compressed the wire in the
> >coil
> >> is twisting (torsion), the longer the wire in the spring (i.e., the more
> >coils)
> >> the more it will twist for a given load (lower spring rate), shorten the
> >wire
> >> (i.e., remove a coil) and it twists less for a given load (increased
> >spring
> >> rate).
> >>
> >> Dave Clement
> >> 99 SLT+ CC 4x4
> >>
> >
>
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Sat May 01 2004 - 12:00:18 EDT