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Adjustable Springs??

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by Seth, Dec 2, 2006.

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  1. Seth

    Seth Formula 3

    Feb 8, 2004
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    #1 Seth, Dec 2, 2006
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    ok, im doing a research project on automotive suspensions and came across how the F430 has all the fancy suspension and what not... but i have a question about it...

    when the car is put say from the "snow/rain" mode into "race" mode, and the suspension is "tightened up" is there an actual component that is attached to the spring to put more tension on it?? or compress it more? im kinda confused about the entire spring itself on this area...

    ok since that doesnt even make sense to me ill add in a badly drawn paint picture...

    basically is there a device that (the red arrows) pushes the spring down while the car is in motion? to drop the ride height and make the car stiffer?? or is this all done by adjusting the shocks??

    and if there is such a device what is it called??
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  2. RP

    RP F1 World Champ

    Feb 9, 2005
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    #2 RP, Dec 2, 2006
    In the case of my Boxer, it is the shocks. I can not imagine the springs being the reason ride height is adjustable on the F430, although the springs are probably variable rate.
     
  3. smg2

    smg2 F1 World Champ
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    #3 smg2, Dec 2, 2006
    the only two well three ways i know of for remote operation of adjustable suspension is,
    1. air bags, i.e. audi, mercedes, bmw
    2. hydrolic shocksw/ remote tanks, ferrari, and high end aftermarket
    3. electro magnetic fluid, hummer, corvette and a few others

    if i'm missing anything i'm sure others will chime in. but for the most part the shock setting is what is changed not the spring rate, unless you have manual adjustable ones. the shock dampens the spring movement so by increasing or decresing the shock rate you'll in effect change the way the car responds and handels.
     
  4. Seth

    Seth Formula 3

    Feb 8, 2004
    1,551
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    #4 Seth, Dec 2, 2006
    interesting... thats what i have thought so far... have i stumbled across some amazing idea maybe? so then what is modified in the shock to lower the ride height? i understand about variable rate springs as well, but they cant be modded/changed "on the fly"... any pics of the suspensions on ferraris?

    been looking around, and granted its on an F1 car, but

    http://www.mulsannescorner.com/Ferrari-MF17.jpg

    that pic shows something that is obviously controlled to move the shock/spring set up?? which is then directly connected to the steering area?

    or in that pic is that shock a spring assisted shock and NOT the spring/shock together in 1 assembly?? kinda like a macpherson set up
     
  5. Llenroc

    Llenroc F1 Veteran
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    #5 Llenroc, Dec 2, 2006
    What they mean with "tightening up" is the shock's valving is changed to stiffen the ride. The suspension on the 430 is manual adjustable for ride height via the spring perches. So in answer to your guestion on the red arrows, no not automaticly but manually. Adjusting the shocks is done automatically while driving via the button on the sterring wheel but doesn't effect the height, just stiffness. Hope that helps. Regards, Vern
     
  6. smg2

    smg2 F1 World Champ
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    #6 smg2, Dec 2, 2006
    right, the only hight adjustable on the 'fly' would be the air bag setup audi uses called adaptive air. not sure about the elctro hydrolic one though.
     

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