is it time for new shocks?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
From: HUNTINGTON BEACH CA
00_e430_sport
is it time for new shocks?
I notice this for a long time ago since i first bought the e430 sport. Whenever i load up my trunk the rear sits low.. And I'm not talking about 1000lbs of weight. for example i bought a 3ton craftsmen jack the other day put it in my trunk with couple bags of 25lb bags dog food and my 2 kids in the back seat(toddlers both combine weighs about 100lb). Doesn't feel bouncy or swerving around at high speed.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 178
From: Seattle WA
99 E320
that is not the proper test for shock performance. you're citing a singular example in which
you've loaded the vehicle with could be identified as an extreme loading....moving the 'moment'
further back from the center of balance then usual. i would say that is unusual, for a soft
riding, luxury car and that the suspension was not set up for this condition.
so if this was going to be the regular load factor, the proper counter adjustment might be
to increase the spring rate, e.g. progressive rate springs.
changing the Shock/dampening is not going to change how (low) the car sits when loaded.
that is the job of the springs. shocks are designed to modulate the rate, frequency, and
motion in which the car changes in vertical ride height.
definition of moment, from wikipedia:
"Moment
The moment is a measure of force that results from an object’s weight acting through an arc that is centered on the zero point of the reference datum distance. Moment is also referred to as the tendency of an object to rotate or pivot about a point (the zero point of the datum, in this case). The further an object is from this point, the greater the force it exerts. Moment is calculated by multiplying the weight of an object by its arm. "
you've loaded the vehicle with could be identified as an extreme loading....moving the 'moment'
further back from the center of balance then usual. i would say that is unusual, for a soft
riding, luxury car and that the suspension was not set up for this condition.
so if this was going to be the regular load factor, the proper counter adjustment might be
to increase the spring rate, e.g. progressive rate springs.
changing the Shock/dampening is not going to change how (low) the car sits when loaded.
that is the job of the springs. shocks are designed to modulate the rate, frequency, and
motion in which the car changes in vertical ride height.
definition of moment, from wikipedia:
"Moment
The moment is a measure of force that results from an object’s weight acting through an arc that is centered on the zero point of the reference datum distance. Moment is also referred to as the tendency of an object to rotate or pivot about a point (the zero point of the datum, in this case). The further an object is from this point, the greater the force it exerts. Moment is calculated by multiplying the weight of an object by its arm. "
Last edited by raymond g-; Jul 3, 2010 at 10:40 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,072
Likes: 5
From: Pittsburgh,PA, Cambridge, Ontario, CN
2003 S210 3.8L Brabus wagon
Do you, by chance, have the load leveling rear suspension as the wagons have? It would have been an option for the sedan I believe. Not sure on the V8 equipped cars though.
