preload on coilover suspension

[drewb]

Can anyone help explain to me exactally what preload is for and what it affects? What will happen if there is too much? not enough?

[zipdoa]

Preload controls ride height. It does not make the suspension harder or softer. What it does do though is alter the angle of the steering, which affects turning speed, and it also changes the weight distribution, which can affect front/rear grip.

[GTS Jeff]

Preload is when your coilover height is adjusted so that your spring is already compressed before the weight of the car sits on it. As in, the spring is pre-loaded by the adjustable perch/seat. If you have linear rate springs (which you would in a coilover) then the spring rate remains the spring no matter the preload.

Sometimes people apply preload to keep the spring from unseating over bumps (when the car goes flying upward) and sometimes it's just a side effect of wanting to set your car's ride height lower.

[Primer_Drift]

As zipdoa mentioned, adjusting preload on a coilover will affect the ride height, which will affect static bump steer and toe angle.

http://www.panteraplace.com/Tech%20Info/Bump%20steering%202.JPG

Your vehicles stock ride hieght will be set for a specific toe angle, adjusting ride height up or down will cause an increase or decrease in toe angle.



Originally posted by GTS Jeff
. If you have linear rate springs (which you would in a coilover) then the spring rate remains the spring no matter the preload.


HKS hipermax coilovers are a progressive spring.