For a softer ride - change shocks, springs or both?

[BCC]

We are currently running 2" OME heavy duty springs and shocks, but have found the ride a bit too harsh.

On advice from ARB, we were going to change the shocks for the OME comfort setting shock. We were told that this would allow the springs more room to travel, and subsequently take the impact out of the ride.

Is this advice correct?

[chimpboy]

Everyone's gonna disagree with me but I think you should be swapping in softer springs, not replacing the dampers aka shock absorbers.

"Shock absorbers" is actually a misnomer that leads people (oddly enough) to think they play a role in absorbing shocks, when their real job is to prevent the springs from oscillating back and forth over and over when you hit a bump. That is, they are meant to limit the springs' reaction to a bump to one bounce only.

That's me though. From others I think you will find some support for the advice you've been given by ARB. And, in truth, ARB are supposed to be experts in this stuff, and I'm not.

Still, you did ask.



Jason

[fatassgq]

Howdy,
I personally would think that in a leaf spring car what you have said Jason would be very true.
In a coil spring truck (as in this case) it may not be so important to change the springs as a shock absorber/dampner does have a lot more effect with coils than it does with leaves.

A shock will work twice as hard with coils and therefore you are far more likely to notice a difference when you change shocks with coil springs.

I am not sure but you may be able to hold ARB up to there (self appointed!?) reputation of being experts and say you want to trial what they recommend and if it doesn't work try something/somewhere else.

PS. having re read your original question fully I think that the actual advise given to you is a load of bull. If all you are after is a softer ride on the road/dirt etc then having more travel doesn't cover the full story. However I do think the right combo of dampners could make a big difference to your ride quality, if they give you more travel then good I guess.
JMO

Cheers
Brian

[murcod]

Shock absorbers that are a bit softer on compression could make the ride better.

As already stated they are designed to stop the springs oscillating; but different shocks will have different rebound and compression rates and this will make a difference to the ride.

As far as increasing the travel, I think what ARB may have meant is the softer shock will allow the springs to compress further on any given bump and thus make the ride feel better.

The risk you run by going to a softer shock is that they may not have enough dampening force to stop the springs oscillating- which could be very dangerous on rough roads. Possibly changing shock brands should be looked at? (eg to something like Koni or Bilstein?)

[bazzle]

I guess they, OME, have a comfort shock that has been tested for this purpose.

IMO though if you are going to do a big trip with many sand dunes, ups and downs etc put the stiffer ones back on.

Also tyre construction and pressure makes a big difference to ride "harshness"

What tyres and pressures you running?

Bazzle

[SiKiD_01]

well, everything said so far is true, and to no surprise, many of the guys on here know this by some form of experience.

well, if you're not sure if its the spring(coil) or the shock, and you're willing to do this, you can remove the shocks on the axle in question, usually front or rear at a time, and 'bounce' the car a couple of times.

if the spring is soft, it will 'bounce' many more times than if the spring is hard. also if the spring is hard, obviously, it will be a bit harder to compress.

now from this, you should have some idea of how hard, and how the car sits and reacts on them.

now when you place the shocks back in, and try to 'bounce' the car again, and taking note as to how the car reacted without shocks, you should by theory, be able to tell roughly, if the shocks are suitable.

ok guys, dont get at me yet, as this is how i chose the spring/shock combination. thing is, i have a vitara SWB soft top, which is very light.

i havent tried this with a larger or heavier 4by yet.

i also know, that this does not, in anyway, simulate what and how the springs/shocks react to rough conditions(corrugations) at speed.

also, a shock that has harder compression, usually load or speed sensitive, will contribute to harsh ride. obviously. and a shock that has hard compression and slow rebound is also not good, as this can lead to wheels bouncing, or leaving the ground more often at speed.

or, if you think that all this is a waste of time, you could just go and ask advice from ARB. bthey seem to be a big help.

i'm not bagging anyone, just thought this might help.