<VV> Corvair Parts/HD Shock Absorbers

[Nick Elzinga]

I will concede that I've been spoilt. I have driven hydro-pneumatically
sprung Citroens continuously since I was 19 and by my book a soft ride
doesn't necessarily infer that you have to have poor handling.  Far from it.

If I can't blame the shocks for the ride quality in my Corvair, how do you
explain the noticeable difference after changing them?  Surely there is a
balance between the spring being able function as intended and the shock
being able to control its movement?  If the shock has valving that barely
allows the spring to compress that will translate into a harsh ride and what
matters to me is comfort rather than ultimate handling.  I don't drive my
Vairs to the limit and I certainly don't want to know when I've driven over
a paint stripe, but that's just me.

Nick 

-----Original Message-----
From: John Kepler [mailto:jekepler at amplex.net] 
Sent: 23 May 2005 12:28 PM
To: Nick Elzinga; virtualvairs at corvair.org
Subject: Re: <VV> Corvair Parts/HD Shock Absorbers

A shock absorber isn't a spring (in most cases), nor does it act like one
(in most cases).  "Heavy Duty" shocks may have a slightly more aggressive
"jounce-rebound ratio" valving, but not necessarily.  Usually "heavy duty"
is a euphemism for a slightly larger shock bore diameter than stock.  Either
way, "blaming" a shock for the harshness of the ride is akin to blaming a
thermometer for the temperature in a room!  That's something that the
springs and bushings are generally responsible for, not the shocks.

Besides, as an old racer, a suspension that doesn't let you feel it when you
run over a centerline paint-stripe is pretty darn "cushy"!

John