[DeTomaso] Aldan shocks Survey

JDeRyke at aol.com JDeRyke at aol.com
Fri Mar 26 03:32:08 EDT 2010


In a message dated 3/25/10 10:14:47 PM, pantdino at aol.com writes:

> How is track use tough on shocks?
> Race tracks are billiard-table smooth and with stiff springs they probably 
> hardly move.
> 
Seems like it when toddling around at low speeds, or walking a course. But 
each bump no matter how small, sends oil from one area to another inside a 
shock. While on track, this happens often enough that the oil can overheat, 
change viscosity and shift the damping. Some shocks use remote reservoirs to 
combat this heating and make room for extra oil. Its bad enough on some 
heavy cars that the shock paint discolors during a single event! And pumping oil 
thru small orifices for damping control tends to wear the holes larger, 
also changing damping. In a production racing Corvette (considered a 'heavy' 
car), the driver could tell after 10 laps that the shocks were fading. The 
small team usually sold the shocks off cheap, as 'qualifiers'- just like 
qualifier tires good for only a few laps. Nowadays, they tear the shocks apart and 
replace the guts and the very special shock oil, saving quite an expense.   
Cheers- J DeRyke



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