LegendsRacer - Legends & Bandolero Racing Forum

LEGENDS => Setup and Handling => Topic started by: DARK AGE 53 on May 01, 2007, 01:58:39 pm

Title: Rear shock/spring adjuster nut...
Post by: DARK AGE 53 on May 01, 2007, 01:58:39 pm
my sons car has the front adjusters on the bottom ( which I think is correct ), the rears are on top, which makes me beleive the shocks/springs where installed incorrectly ( upside down ). Anyone know which ways up?

Thanks,
Al
Title: Re: Rear shock/spring adjuster nut...
Post by: Tom Cole on May 01, 2007, 02:31:51 pm
That is how mine are.
Title: Re: Rear shock/spring adjuster nut...
Post by: DARK AGE 53 on May 01, 2007, 08:04:45 pm
That is how mine are.

For some reason it just doesn't seem right, the stem part of the shock should be on top not the bottom.  I would think the dampening/rebound would be off,  here's some links from 600 Racing showing the postion of the shocks.

Rear
http://store.600racing.com/site/department.cfm?id=622E1E39-B0D0-791A-65B23BFDCCF3BDC3&killnav=yes

Front
http://store.600racing.com/site/department.cfm?id=622DD78B-B0D0-791A-65335234A0874BC2&killnav=yes
Title: Re: Rear shock/spring adjuster nut...
Post by: T48 on May 02, 2007, 08:57:57 am
One of the tips we got when we bought the T48 was that your Bilstein shocks should be installed up side down for ease in making adjustments.  The article I printed and filed away assured us it would in no way alter their performance. 
Title: Re: Rear shock/spring adjuster nut...
Post by: DARK AGE 53 on May 03, 2007, 05:44:29 am
One of the tips we got when we bought the T48 was that your Bilstein shocks should be installed up side down for ease in making adjustments.  The article I printed and filed away assured us it would in no way alter their performance. 

Yesterday I was at the shop of the guy who did the setup, I asked him about this and he said it didn't make any difference which way the shock was installed....I then asked him what the Bilstein shocks were valved at...his answer, I don't know.  If you don't know what the valving is how can you turn then upside down, maybe it's o.k but I'd like to know a little more first.

You mention an article you printed out, can you share that with me?

Thanks,
Al
Title: Re: Rear shock/spring adjuster nut...
Post by: T48 on May 03, 2007, 08:33:28 am
Al, I've found that same info in several places, but here's what the updates in the tech section of  legendscar.com had to say about it:

"8/13/01 Shock Mounting - Mounting rear shocks upside down will not alter the performance of the shock. It will, however, allow you to make changes to your car's setup without having to crawl under the car. You will simply jack the car up in the rear, and make your adjustment. Remember to tape your shocks or use the above mentioned clamp to hold the coilover in place after any update so the setup does not change."

Ours were already upside down when we bought the car, but I'll go back through some of my files and see if I can get you more input about this subject.


Title: Re: Rear shock/spring adjuster nut...
Post by: DARK AGE 53 on May 03, 2007, 08:09:05 pm
Thanks T48 for the info, I'm going to research this a little more just to make sure this is the way to go.
Title: Re: Rear shock/spring adjuster nut...
Post by: T48 on May 04, 2007, 01:38:46 pm
You're welcome, Al.  Here's a link for you that I found very easy to follow, hope it's helpful.

http://www.legendsforce.com/chasis.htm (http://www.legendsforce.com/chasis.htm)
Title: Re: Rear shock/spring adjuster nut...
Post by: justfreaky on May 04, 2007, 09:21:17 pm
 The main reason for mounting the shocks upside down is  to lower the unsprung weight of the suspension. It also moves the shock body up and away from the brakes, hence the fluid in the shock runs cooler. A bonus is that it is easier to adjust.
Nothin' new, or secret. It's in most chassis books.  ;)
Title: Re: Rear shock/spring adjuster nut...
Post by: DARK AGE 53 on May 05, 2007, 03:35:54 am
Thanks for the link T48, some good info and links there.
justfreaky, thanks for the reply, I'll leave the shocks upside down.
Title: Re: Rear shock/spring adjuster nut...
Post by: racer48j on July 10, 2007, 11:20:39 pm
Just a word of caution about mounting the rear shocks upside down.  We had a shock eye break off  a Bilstein shock (not come unscrewed as they are known for) on our left rear.  The shock shaft extended into the pavement and then wrapped under the rear axle.  This lifted the left rear tire off the ground and threw the car into a spin towards the infield.  The truly sad part was I was running my nephews '34 Ford Legend just behind  our car which was being driven by my son.  With little or no time to react I ended up "T-Boning" my own car/and son in the process.  Needless to say I have been mounting my shocks with the shaft up/shock body down ever since.  Your mileage may vary!!!  :)
Title: Re: Rear shock/spring adjuster nut...
Post by: justfreaky on July 11, 2007, 02:54:02 am
Read Shock Adjuster affixing

http://www.kevscorner.com/Corner2004/KCLegendTechTips.htm
Title: Re: Rear shock/spring adjuster nut...
Post by: fastmantom on July 15, 2007, 03:54:08 pm
The bump/rebound settings of a shock is the same reguardless of the way it's mounted.  Bump is how hard it is to compress a shock, rebound is how hard it is to pull it back apart.
Title: Re: Rear shock/spring adjuster nut...
Post by: 6th Geer on August 07, 2007, 07:33:17 pm
Now that this has been decided and Legend drivers have been running them upside down for 10 years now. How about mounting them on the inside or outside of the frame. I like my left side on the outside and the right side on the inside. It gets the best forward bite out of the turns this way. what about you guys?????
Title: Re: Rear shock/spring adjuster nut...
Post by: justfreaky on August 08, 2007, 03:55:50 pm

Did some quick research and asked on some other sites. Here is what I found:

 Putting the LR shock in front of the housing will increase cross weight when you get on the throttle; Which will tighten the car up on exit.

 Changing  the RR shock angle (mounting inside or outside of the frame rail), but keeping the same spring rate, will increase side bite.


 Anyone else have insight on this? :) ;D

 Steve

Title: Re: Rear shock/spring adjuster nut...
Post by: Shawnben on August 08, 2007, 09:07:30 pm
Moving the rr shock which way gives more bite?
Title: Re: Rear shock/spring adjuster nut...
Post by: justfreaky on August 09, 2007, 12:45:40 am
Moving it inboard. 
From what I understand,  it has to do with the steeper angle effectively changing the effect of the spring.
Note that I specified "using the same spring".
Usually; the steeper the angle, the heavier the spring needs to be to compensate.

I'll see if I can locate more info for you.

Steve
Title: Re: Rear shock/spring adjuster nut...
Post by: JGRacing on August 09, 2007, 03:37:54 pm
Maybe a dumb question (since I don't actually have a car yet) but is the shock mount a clamp on one, or is it welded on?  How much wiggle room is in the rules regarding moving the coilover mounts?  On my modified the builder had me put the left spring slider in front of the axle tube and right rear behind (3 link suspension). 

On the right rear mounting point, I would pull the coilover off and use a floor jack to raise up the corner to see what angle it moves upward at.  The spring will have the most effect when it is compressing in a straight line, so you can play around with different locations and see what will work best before attaching anything permanently.     
Title: Re: Rear shock/spring adjuster nut...
Post by: DARK AGE 53 on August 09, 2007, 07:16:11 pm
is the shock mount a clamp on one, or is it welded on?  How much wiggle room is in the rules regarding moving the coilover mounts? 

welded.

2007 Legends Rule Book.
rule #64 , Shocks may be turned upside down and/or the upper part of the rear shock may be mounted on either side ( inside or outside ) of the frame.
Title: Re: Rear shock/spring adjuster nut...
Post by: Tom Cole on August 09, 2007, 09:51:08 pm
6th,   so yours look like this \ \ when looked at from the rear?  Mine have both been on the outside, but I am planning on mounting the RR on the inside with the smallest spacer that will work.  LR will be mounted on the outside with a 1/2" spacer between the shock and frame.

Nothing ventured, nothing learned.
Title: Re: Rear shock/spring adjuster nut...
Post by: justfreaky on August 10, 2007, 03:20:40 am
Hi John,
 First; I would suggest you get, or download a copy of the Legends Car Rulebook. You will  be VERY limited by the rules. Not Anything like the mods! Part of the reason our mods were so expensive was because the rules left room for LOTS of "Creative Thinking".   ;D   (Joe  used expensive  part "X", or "did this"; and we all had to try to keep up with racer Joe.)  The Legends rules limit a lot of what you can and can't use, or do. All the major components are sold by 600 Racing, or their dealers. I'm NOT saying you can't "Think Creatively"; Just limited.  ;)

 I posted this question over on DCR; and it started quite a heated debate.  ::) (Am I Bad!)  I had seen this same question posted before, and was just asking for a link to the old thread.

Tom,
 I think the spacer idea is interesting!  Try it out in practice; If it doesn't work, it wouldn't take much time to change it back.

Al,
 I knew you would be the guy that would post the rule.  ;D   I REALLY need to go through that rule book!  :-[ :o ;D


As Always,

JMHO


Steve