Neil MH Posted June 14, 2004 Share Posted June 14, 2004 I have a 1990 1700SS De-Dion (had for 3 months), with the shocks that adjust with a screw. I appreciate that opions vary about numbers of clicks - but I have an even more basic question. From the fully soft position, there appears to be no resistance on the first couple of full turns of the screw. After that you can definitely feel the clicks. Are those early turns of the screw (with apparantly little to no resistance) also clicks - and therefore stiffening the suspension. The reason I ask is that I have gone from bottoming out and bouncing up and down (they were all on maximum softness) - to too hard - with what appears to be a small number of clicks (2-3) - plus of course the turns I have made before I could detect any clicks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burt1969 Posted June 14, 2004 Share Posted June 14, 2004 Hi there, I have noticed the same thing, didn't want to back off too far incase screw came out? But I also noticed you get a number of soft clicks. I have taken the hard clicks as being correct but have to admit I am down to about 1 hard click as the bounce on normal roads was unbearable. So I think what I'm trying to say is that I too am interested in the answer to this 😬 Green and Ali 1600 X-Flow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badger Bill Posted June 14, 2004 Share Posted June 14, 2004 I have gone the other way. Winding them up to the max, then going down one click at a time together, so as to be correct from that end, as opposed to the other which (as you say) isn't that clear at all. Seems to work BB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Cubitt Posted June 14, 2004 Share Posted June 14, 2004 I have found that if you unwind the screws and then tighten slowly you can 'just' feel the clicks which become more pronounced. This is quite important as you do not need many clicks to get the right setting. It is worth unwinding and tightnening all the way so you can count total number of clicks and turns etc and work it out from there. Road - Front 2 to 4, Rear 1 or 2. Race - Front 6, Rear 3 or 4. All depending upon springs etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil MH Posted June 14, 2004 Author Share Posted June 14, 2004 Sems like we all want to know the same thing! Incidentally the screw doesn't come out. Mine were totally backed off (and the car was bottoming out in a big way) - but the ride was Bentley-like. The screw just stops dead at it's maximum, anti-clockwise, soft setting. Hopefully someone has the answer to the "soft/non-existent clicks" issue - and then how many turns is best for road use (back and front)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil MH Posted June 14, 2004 Author Share Posted June 14, 2004 Crossed in the post! Thanks for these tips. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Cubitt Posted June 15, 2004 Share Posted June 15, 2004 I checked on my old spax and have recorderd the following settings - First untighten adjustment screws. Front - 1st (very vague) click is at 3/4 of a turn in. All clicks then at 1/4 turn intervalls getting progresively more positive. I checked two shocks and they were similar but not exactly the same. Rear - 1st click (quite positive) at 1/3 of a turn in. All clicks then at 1/4 turns. The final settings will depend upon springs and manufacturing tollerences and wear of shocks. I would try 3 clicks on the front and two on the rear to start with. The back should be OK, its the front that is more complicated. An extra click or two on the front will improve the handling but will probably get way too hard for the road. I have various old shocks amd different springs if of interest. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burt1969 Posted June 15, 2004 Share Posted June 15, 2004 Hi Badger Bill! Do you know how many clicks you came down? Green and Ali 1600 X-Flow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil MH Posted June 15, 2004 Author Share Posted June 15, 2004 Thanks George - this helps a lot - the numbers of turns is something I can relate to! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Riches Posted June 16, 2004 Share Posted June 16, 2004 I was under the impression the adjustment range was 14 detents, and to be sure of getting the same left to right across the car the adjuster should be wound to the full clockwise direction ie hardest setting, and reduced by the same number of clicks on each side of the car, damper settings are reduced by turning the adjuster anti-clockwise, it's recommended that you start a minimum setting and increase rate on a trial and error basis, well that's how this Spax leaflet reads. Have fun regards Nigel. 1982. 5 speed, clamshells. B.R.G / Ali. The True Colours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badger Bill Posted June 16, 2004 Share Posted June 16, 2004 Not sure now, I have been playing about with them for some time and have not kept a record. I'll have a good look tonight and report back. BB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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