Shock problem.... solved!

[mangocrazy]

No, I don't want to start an argument, and I don't believe that's what Anzac and I were having. A discussion, yes; an argument, no.

I think the problem arises due to terminology. The statement 'the spring rate doesn't change when preload is applied' is absolutely correct. What does change is the effective rate. When a spring is in its unloaded state (i.e. sat on a shelf, not on a shock) the effective spring rate is zero.

However once it is preloaded or compressed, it starts to present a force to whatever is compressing it, small at first, but getting bigger the more it is compressed. In the 800lb/in spring I used as an illustration earlier, when the spring is preloaded or compressed by one inch, the effective rate or force it presents is 800lbs. If it is preloaded or compressed by two inches, the effective rate or force it presents is 1600lbs. If it is preloaded or compressed by three inches, the effective rate or force it presents is 2400lbs, and so on.

In the above instance the rate of increase is linear, and most bike suspension springs are of this type. There are progressive springs available and they tend to have a rising rate; i.e. the rate of increase follows an upward curve, rather than the straight line of a linear spring.

Anyway, I'll shut up now...

[HowardQ]

Argument was probably the wrong word, but I still agree with you!
It is just something I read years ago and is stuck in my mind.

[anzacinexile]

Argument

Hell no...........