260# (well, actually a tiny bit more to make up for friction and hysteresis
loss). The one inch compression is preload. You won't see the effect if the
shock is mounted and weighted by the car--in that case it will take 130
pounds to move it one inch, because the preload has already been overcome by
the car's weight and all the preload is doing is setting the ride height.
The only reason the answers will vary is because people think of the system
when it is mounted and the static weight of the car is already applied.
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-fot@autox.team.net [mailto:owner-fot@autox.team.net] On Behalf
Of John Price
Sent: Thursday, January 08, 2004 8:41 AM
To: Friends of Triumph
Subject: Spring Rates
OK, amici, chew on this:
1. You have a coil spring with a 13" free length and a rate of 130#.
2. You cram that spring onto a shock damper and end up with an installed
spring length of 12".
The question is: How much force will be required to compress the installed
spring 1"? 130# or 260#? Why?
This question has a real-life application. Answers vary. Don't let me down,
guys!
John Price
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