View Single Post #7: 07-19-2012, 10:29 PM scoobyscoodle's Avatar
Title: Burning Monkey Location: L.A./S.D., CA Posts: 2,131
iTrader: (19) Originally Posted by Dujo View Post That said, my
understanding about spring rate is that spring rate is
essentially a measure of how much weight is required to compress
a spring a certain amount. If a spring is already compressed
some, doesn't it make it harder to compress it more?  I freely
admit my limited understanding of all things car related though.
Feel free to expand on what you're saying.  How do KW/RCE's
work. I have no idea. If the spring is a progressive rate, then
yes, putting preload on it would essentially increase the rate
since you are compressing it to the point that the rate
increases. Most coilover springs are linear, so the rate is the
same through the entire travel range. A 400lb linear spring has
a 400lb/in rate uncompressed, compressed 1", or compressed 3",
it does not matter; the spring will always take another 400lb of
force to compress an additio