Adjusting Shocks

[Large Arbor]

Ok, so I want to stiffen up the rear shocks on my ERA. I noticed a screw on the side of the shock. Do I simply turn that screw in one direction? I have the Spax units. I can post a picture if necessary.

Phil

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Large Arbor

Ok, so I want to stiffen up the rear shocks on my ERA. I noticed a screw on the side of the shock. Do I simply turn that screw in one direction? I have the Spax units. I can post a picture if necessary.

Phil

Maybe somebody monkeyed with them. Try adjusting them all to five clicks from "dead soft." Using a dime, turn the adjustment screw counter-clockwise until you can't feel it click anymore. Then turn it five clicks the other way and test it out.

[kevins2]

Phil,

The dampers have 28 "clicks" of adjustment. Soft is counter-clockwise as Patrick indicated. ERA sets their factory assembled cars in the middle at 14 clicks if that's any help. The Spax documentation suggests starting at fully soft and turning them in 4 click increments and continue to do so if the driving experience improves. Once the driving experience worsens, begin backing them off one click at a time. Again, that is paraphrased from their manual.

Kevin

[patrickt]

And the way you will know you have gone too far is to drive the car over some really bumpy roads -- first just to see if the car really bounces over the bumps. Then just add more clicks to increase the stiffness until the car misbehaves over those same bumps, then just take the clicks back. You can do this with a dime out on your favorite road. Just go up and down over the bumps until you figure out what the clicks are doing. You make the changes by the side of the road. It's pretty easy. If you're understeering or oversteering, changing clicks is not the answer.

[kevins2]

They may have changed the design slightly since I got my car - don't need a dime - there is a thumb screw that can be turned by hand. Regardless, you've got the picture.

[patrickt]

Well, here's the old SPAX...

[patrickt]

From the pic, which shock is that?

[Murky781]

The dirty one.


sorry. Just came to me.

[Large Arbor]

Ok, so why wouldn't I just go 3-5 clicks clockwise to be a little stiffer? What is gained by starting off at the softest setting? I assume I am doing this to all 4 shocks.

Phil

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Large Arbor

Ok, so why wouldn't I just go 3-5 clicks clockwise to be a little stiffer? What is gained by starting off at the softest setting? I assume I am doing this to all 4 shocks.

Phil

Because you don't know what the last person did and they could all be set differently. Always start your changes from a known setting. And always assume the previous guy was a moron. That way you'll never be disappointed....

[Large Arbor]

I am about to start adjusting them. I have some wheel hop under hard acceleration and would like to solve that. I will do as Patrick said and go all the way counterclockwise and then go to 5, 10, etc. It did not really feel like they clicked much. Is it a noticeable click, or a full 180 degree turn?

phil

[DanEC]

I would turn one counterclockwise to the stop and then turn it clockwise to the other stop - while counting clicks. The clicks are not sharp and are a bit in-distinct, especially in the counterclockwise position, but you should feel them if you go slow. There are probably 5 or 6 per complete revolution. You need to go all the way form stop to stop becase there are several different models of SPAX shocks in use. My rear ones only had around 10 clicks or so. My front ones had 33 clicks. Several have reported theirs have 28 clicks. (??) Stiffening up the shocks might help axle hop a bit but from what I remember reading (haven't turned the tires on my car yet) it may take some stiffer bushings in the trailing arms.

[Large Arbor]

Thanks Dan and Pat. I will give it a try this weekend. I would give up some comfort just to not have the rearend bounce under hard acceleration. I cannot get to it till the weekend so we will see what happens.

Phil

[DanEC]

Originally Posted by Large Arbor

Thanks Dan and Pat. I will give it a try this weekend. I would give up some comfort just to not have the rearend bounce under hard acceleration. I cannot get to it till the weekend so we will see what happens.

Phil

Let us know if it seems to help the wheel hop any.

[lippy]

Some of the Spax shocks have 28 clicks of adjustment, and some have 10. A have a couple of each on my car. On each shock, turn the adjustment screw all the way either CW or CCW, and then back the other way full stop, and count the clicks. Then start in the middle position and adjust a little bit at a time CW to stiffen them, or CCW to make them softer. Mine are now adjusted about 10% stiffer than the middle position and the ride is pretty good for my taste.

[Chaplin]

Phil-
Call Bob Putnam and get the manual.

[Chaplin]

Phil-
Call Bob Putnam and get the manual.

[Large Arbor]

Chappie,

I got the manual. I will try to reset the shocks stiffer and hope to give it a whirl this weekend.

Phil

[Large Arbor]

Ok, so while replacing the shaft seal and brake pads, I adjusted the shocks to 10 clicks from dead soft. Much of the wheel hop has went away and the ride is the same. I will go a few more clicks and see if that takes it away completely. No leaks on the shaft seal so I am a happy camper!

[davids2toys]

Keep us posted, I would love to get rid of that f-ing hop!!!