How Much Preload Should I Have? For most applications
1′′ of preload in the front, and 2′′ of preload in the rear
is a good starting point.
What does preload do on a coilover?
One reason it is important to preload your coilovers is to
reduce the likelihood of the coilover from completely unseating
. You want to prevent the spring from unloading to the point where the spring becomes off centered and is unable to properly re-seat itself.
Is too much preload on coilovers bad?
Preloading more than the minimum to get rid of play is bad
. For best shock performance, turn the preload ring until it contacts the spring and then another 1 to 2 turns.
Should I adjust preload on coilovers?
What happens if you have too much preload?
Can You Have Too Much Preload? Springs work in both extension and compression so too much preload
makes the springs too soft on compression
. When this happens we have to compensate with shock valving and sometimes that can lead to harshness.
Does preload increase stiffness?
The myth: Preload affects spring rates and handling characteristics. Why it's wrong: The short answer is that
preload won't make a spring any stiffer
, and it won't make it any softer, but all you want to know is why you've been told the opposite.
Does preload affect ride height?
If you preload the spring you are “stiffening” the spring by the amount you compress (preload) it.
It will effect ride hight, but only because you are taking out sag
. Preload is really for setting your sag, not ride hight.
Does increasing preload increase ride height?
As you increase preload, you're turning the collar further clockwise(south). This in turn pushes the spring which extends the overall ride height
. Decrease the preload, and the spring moves up which lower the ride height.
Why is preload important?
By tensioning, preloading
increases the natural frequency of a structure, avoiding resonance due to external disturbances
. It also prevents buckling if stresses change depending on position in certain systems. In the particular case for bearings and fasteners, preload reduces or cancels backlash or dead zones.
Does preload affect travel?
Preload doesn't effect spring rate at all, providing a linear rate spring anyway.
It only serves to reduce available travel in most cases
.
Does preload affect spring rate?
It does not, however, increase the spring rate
. For example, you can achieve a targeted sag on the fork even with a spring that is too light (or soft) if you use a lot of preload. You can also achieve that same sag with a spring that is way too heavy by using very little or no preload.
How do you preload rear coilovers?
How do I make my coilovers smooth?
For a smooth ride, you need to
soften both the compression and rebound on your coilovers
. Fortunately, this should not be that difficult. Coilovers that provide these adjustability will also include a knob that you can just turn for adjustment. Note that not all coilovers come with adjustable compression and rebound.
How do you make coilovers stiffer?
Does preload affect Rebound?
Preload is mostly for turning but does affect the part of the stroke the fork rides at.
It will, however, effect the rebound damping by making it faster because of the incresed stored energy in the spring
. It has little or no effect on compression damping.
How stiff should my coilovers be?
If you bounce once when you hit the bottom, they're set correctly
. If you bounce more than once, they're set too stiff. And if you don't bounce at all, that's acceptable also.
Can you raise a car with coilovers?
To adjust the coilovers, first, unlock collar B by taking your adjustment wrench and turn it clock-wise. Once loose, spin collar B by hand down the length of the coilover. You will then
use the adjustment wrench to turn collar A clockwise to lower and counter-clockwise to raise the car
.
Does adjusting coilovers affect alignment?
Do You Need Alignments After Installing Coilovers?
Absolutely yes
. To install new coilovers, you need to first take off the existing spring and struts from the caster / camber plate. Just from doing this alone, your car's alignment will be out of whack and you need a precise realignment.
