Coilover Spring Preload Question

Stanced370Z · 02-08-2011, 10:03 PM

I have a quick question guys. I'm currently on Stance GR+ Coilovers with True Rears.

My spring preload right now is at 0, and was wondering if I were to preload the springs more would that give me a stiffer ride and less suspension travel?

Thanks

daisuke149 · 02-08-2011, 11:53 PM

Long Answer: yes.

Stanced370Z · 02-08-2011, 11:54 PM

What are the negatives? I was thinking of preloading mine .5", I know that it will raise my car, but I have more than enough room to compensate for that by lowering the car a little more on the lowering perch.

daisuke149 · 02-08-2011, 11:56 PM

well most would say the negative is the harsher ride..

but i by no means have expert knowledge.. or average.. hell im prolly below novice so i'll let others chime in properly!

CFZ · 02-09-2011, 12:35 PM

it will not give you a harsher ride. it will raise up your car though. Basically there is a set height on the spring. With the weight of the vehicle the spring compresses a certain amount. Unless you preload beyond the amount the spring strokes with the weight of the vehicle (which is a few inches, in other words a **** ton of preload), the only difference your going to feel is less rebound stroke so in other words it can potentially make your ride more uncomfortable and will ultimately make your car handle like crap.

Yes you will also lose stroke in the suspension. but it's not what your thinking. You will lose rebound stroke.

Stanced370Z · 02-09-2011, 01:27 PM

alright gotcha. thanks man. i'll probably be swapping out to higher spring rates then in the near future.

Jeffblue · 02-22-2011, 02:37 PM

too much preload will give you a bouncy ride. Not enough preload means your basically driving more on your shocks.

SPOHN · 02-22-2011, 07:48 PM

I have the same setup as you. When I recieved my coilovers there was very little preload. Almost not enough say it had any. I did tighten mine up a little to get some tension. The instructions (pre Stance) say not to adjust preload unless to corner balance. Being that said after I did the install a couple of days later took it to get corner balanced and aligned.

Being I took it to Forged Performance, I don't worry to much. They will take care of any issues without saying to much. So I always leave care free. By the way my car runs great. I still need to make some small tuning tweaks to the suspension and then I will be giving a review of my experience of my setup. Also running Hotchkis sways.

02-08-2011, 10:03 PM	#1 (permalink)
Stanced370Z Base Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Miami Lakes, Florida Posts: 198 Drives: 2010 Nissan 370Z 6MT Rep Power: 15	Coilover Spring Preload Question I have a quick question guys. I'm currently on Stance GR+ Coilovers with True Rears. My spring preload right now is at 0, and was wondering if I were to preload the springs more would that give me a stiffer ride and less suspension travel? Thanks

02-22-2011, 07:48 PM	#8 (permalink)
SPOHN A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Covington, GA Age: 45 Posts: 14,844 Drives: Waiting on next Z Rep Power: 221	I have the same setup as you. When I recieved my coilovers there was very little preload. Almost not enough say it had any. I did tighten mine up a little to get some tension. The instructions (pre Stance) say not to adjust preload unless to corner balance. Being that said after I did the install a couple of days later took it to get corner balanced and aligned. Being I took it to Forged Performance, I don't worry to much. They will take care of any issues without saying to much. So I always leave care free. By the way my car runs great. I still need to make some small tuning tweaks to the suspension and then I will be giving a review of my experience of my setup. Also running Hotchkis sways. __________________

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02-08-2011, 11:53 PM	#2 (permalink)
daisuke149 My *** is famous! Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Alpharetta, GA Posts: 4,849 Drives: 2013 Boss 302 PW Rep Power: 31	Long Answer: yes.

02-08-2011, 11:54 PM	#3 (permalink)
Stanced370Z Base Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Miami Lakes, Florida Posts: 198 Drives: 2010 Nissan 370Z 6MT Rep Power: 15	What are the negatives? I was thinking of preloading mine .5", I know that it will raise my car, but I have more than enough room to compensate for that by lowering the car a little more on the lowering perch.

02-08-2011, 11:56 PM	#4 (permalink)
daisuke149 My *** is famous! Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Alpharetta, GA Posts: 4,849 Drives: 2013 Boss 302 PW Rep Power: 31	well most would say the negative is the harsher ride.. but i by no means have expert knowledge.. or average.. hell im prolly below novice so i'll let others chime in properly!

02-09-2011, 12:35 PM	#5 (permalink)
CFZ Base Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: F-Town Posts: 134 Drives: 2010 370Z Rep Power: 234	it will not give you a harsher ride. it will raise up your car though. Basically there is a set height on the spring. With the weight of the vehicle the spring compresses a certain amount. Unless you preload beyond the amount the spring strokes with the weight of the vehicle (which is a few inches, in other words a **** ton of preload), the only difference your going to feel is less rebound stroke so in other words it can potentially make your ride more uncomfortable and will ultimately make your car handle like crap. Yes you will also lose stroke in the suspension. but it's not what your thinking. You will lose rebound stroke.

02-09-2011, 01:27 PM	#6 (permalink)
Stanced370Z Base Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Miami Lakes, Florida Posts: 198 Drives: 2010 Nissan 370Z 6MT Rep Power: 15	alright gotcha. thanks man. i'll probably be swapping out to higher spring rates then in the near future.

02-22-2011, 02:37 PM	#7 (permalink)
Jeffblue A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: NY Age: 36 Posts: 9,192 Drives: Z32TT & 335xi Coupe Rep Power: 37	too much preload will give you a bouncy ride. Not enough preload means your basically driving more on your shocks.