Does spring rate change with preload?

Does spring rate change with preload?

Spring rate is different from preload. Preloading does not change spring rate but preload does change the force to start moving the shock and high preload dramatically reduces shock performance over smaller bumps and makes for a more harsh ride and worse traction.

How do you calculate preload of a spring?

How To Measure Preload: Preload is a measurement of how much a spring is compressed at full extension of the shock. Thread the upper spring adjuster down until it just touches the spring, you are now at 0″ of preload. Every inch you thread it down from there is 1″ of preload.

What is preload in a spring?

“Preload” (or “preload length”) is the distance the spring is compressed from its free length as it’s installed with the suspension fully extended.

What is constant spring rate?

Definition: Spring rate, also known as spring constant, is the constant amount of force or spring rate of force it takes an extension or compression spring to travel an inch of distance or, in the metric system of measurement, a millimeter of distance.

What does preload adjustment do?

Preload: This adjuster bears down on the shock or fork spring and shortens or extends the spring accordingly. Preload is used to adjust the shock or spring to the correct range of operation within the suspension’s travel-more preload will raise the bike up on its suspension, keeping you near the top of its travel.

Does preload change stiffness?

The myth: Preload affects spring rates and handling characteristics. Why it’s wrong: The short answer is that preload won’t make a spring any stiffer, and it won’t make it any softer, but all you want to know is why you’ve been told the opposite.

How do you measure spring rate on a coil spring?

To test the spring rate, the spring is placed into a spring rate tester, like shown above, and is pre-compressed one inch (or millimeters if you’re using that measurement) and then compressed further to get the measurement for the next inch of compression.

How do you choose spring rate?

1. Step 1 – Determine Sprung Weight. Corner Weight: (1/2 the front or rear weight)
2. Step 2 – Calculating Motion Ratio.
3. Step 3 – Coil Spring Angle.
4. Step 4 – Select your shock stroke and spring length.
5. Step 5 – Spring Rate.

Why preload is required?

Why Preload? The purpose of preload in a bearing system is to eliminate clearance that is designed into standard ball bearings. Almost all radial ball bearings are made with a clearance or space between their components to allow for free movement.

What does more preload do?

Preload is used to adjust the shock or spring to the correct range of operation within the suspension’s travel-more preload will raise the bike up on its suspension, keeping you near the top of its travel. With less preload, the bike sits lower and closer to the bottom of its suspension travel.

How do you find a spring constant?

The formula to calculate the spring constant is as follows: k= -F/x, where k is the spring constant. F is the force and x is the change in spring’s length.

What factors determine the spring rate of a constant rate spring?

Factors That Affects Spring Rate

• Wire diameter: when the wire diameter increases, the spring constant increases too.
• Spring diameter: increase in the spring diameter will lead to decrease in the spring rate.
• Number of coils in the spring: the higher the number of coils, the lower the spring constant.

How much preload is in a 400 lb/in spring?

a 400 lbf/in spring with 1/4″ (0.25 in) of preload would have 100 lbf of preload. a 500 lbf/in spring with 1/8″ (0.125 in) of preload would have 62.5 lbf of preload. It’s really simple math. The thing is that you need to be aware that spring rate affects more than just sag.

What is springspring rate?

Spring rate refers to the amount of weight that is needed to compress a spring one inch. If the rate of the spring is linear, its rate is not affected by the load that is put on the spring.

What is the difference between 1kg/mm and 30mm spring rates?

Any combination of spring rate and preload that gives 32.5kg force at 30mm travel will create the same sag. Notice the stiffer, 1.0kg/mm spring has 2.5mm preload and, at 30mm travel, also creates 32.5kg force. This means they will both have the same sag; however, they will perform totally differently.

What is the load on the spring?

At this point the load on the spring is 400 lbs. The rate of the spring, however, remains constant at 200 lbs. per inch. If your spring is mounted at an angle you will need to consider that in your spring calculations.