Millennium Escort is driving again, sans 90 lbs off the front end that isn't going back on. It is enough weight that the front ride height is a solid 1/4 inch to 5/16 inch higher. It seems to me, that usually removing weight from a spring results in a higher effective spring rate, yielding a harsher ride. So, why is the front ride slightly smoother now?
More suspension travel? We're you hitting bumpstops before?
less hobby horsing from weight on the ends?
Suspension can absorb the bumps more than supporting weight.
Ian F said:Suspension can absorb the bumps more than supporting weight.
That was my assumption. Guessing that the shock damping curves must be working a little better because of it. I feel like there's suspension tuning lesson in there somewhere.
just out of curiosity, how worn are the struts?
How scary at speed? 
How much frontal lift under hard acceleration?
In reply to mad_machine :
Only 3500 miles, no leaks, still has gas pressure.
nutherjrfan said:How scary at speed?
Rock steady at 120mph (will not divulge details due discovery not being made at sanctioned event 
)
Trackmouse said:How much frontal lift under hard acceleration?
Not enough to matter, OEM anti-lift geometry still in effect.
Spring rate doesn't change based on weight on the spring.
I think I know what you are referring to. Sort of like how an hd truck rides better with some weight in it.
wvumtnbkr said:Spring rate doesn't change based on weight on the spring.
I think I know what you are referring to. Sort of like how an hd truck rides better with some weight in it.
Exactly. I should have put the word "effective" in quotes.
Sounds like the car was either undersprung or underdamped. Lightening the car has a similar effect to raising spring rates in terms of suspension travel, and if your shocks were too soft before, you just gave them less work to do, so they're now better able to control body motion. An underdamped car will feel very light and bouncy, not exactly in a good way.
Harmonics? Maybe the natural resonance has changed?
GameboyRMH said:Sounds like the car was either undersprung or underdamped. Lightening the car has a similar effect to raising spring rates in terms of suspension travel, and if your shocks were too soft before, you just gave them less work to do, so they're now better able to control body motion. An underdamped car will feel very light and bouncy, not exactly in a good way.
I'm going to go with under-damped. Spring rate is around 300 F/R.
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