6 replies to this topic

[karlnz]

Got a mini, its quite low

 

on Gaz adjustabke dampers, the special ones for lower cars

 

about to get it on the road, can anyone recomment and initial setup with reagrds to stiffness, front and back

 

alose appreciate peoples opinions on the topic

 

thanks, Karl

[Tamworthbay]

For most adjustable dampers a reasonable starting setup can be got be counting the number of clicks then dividing by three. Then count that number from the softest setting and see what it feels like. Everyone has different opinions on what is a decent level of damping bit setting it a third of the way through its range to start it won't be so soft you get seasick or so hard you lose fillings.

[karlnz]

thanks for that mate... generally speaking, one people have got theirs how they like it.... is it harder softer and the front or back, i.e SHOULD the front ot back of the car be harder?

 

i guess they came standard with the same stiffness all round....

 

thanks, karl

[tiger99]

The dampers actually should have different stiffness front and back. The spring is the same, but the rear damper operates at a 5:1 lever ratio, the front is less, and then there is the mass distribution to take into account. You most likely want to start by having the back maybe 50% harder than standard, and the front standard or thereabouts, and adjust towards harder in small increments having seen how it drives. Then when it feels right, leave the front alone and adjust the rear up or down a bit. That way, there is some sense to the adjustments, instead of just randomly trying things, so you ought to get to the final result quicker.

 

Too hard is pointless, and will actually reduce the roadholding, although the handling may perversely seem to be better. But it is your car and your driving style, so really only you can finally decide what suits you best.

[karlnz]

excellent, thats what i was looking for

 

sorry about the grammar on my previous post very tired

 

regards, Karl

[Cooperman]

If you want best roadholding, don't have the car lowered by more than 1 cm or so. Low cars have poorer roadholding on normal roads as there is reduced suspension travel.

Then set it so that the front toes-out by 1 mm and the rear toes-in by 1 mm to 2 mm. Make sure the rear has zero to -0.5 degrees negative camber.

Then do as Tiger says with regard to damper settings.

[Mowen123@hotmail.co.uk]

also be interested in this for my first few drives on lowered gaz shocks