Information

Suspension hardness

Here is a rough overview of different suspension adjustments, based on various configurations in an average car:

Type of suspensionSpringShock absorber
Original2070
Sport suspension30110
Coilover STREET50150
Coilover RACE60180
Coilover MOTORSPORTmore than 70more than 200
Rates in N/mm.

For light or heavy vehicles different values apply.

Helper springs of coilovers

The only purpose of helper springs is to keep the main spring under preload in the range between minimum and maximum lowering.
When the lower spring seat is fully turned down at maximum lowering, the helper spring is under minimum pressure. At a higher setting of the suspension the pressure of common helper springs increases each 10 mm for about 20 kg. When the spring is fully under pressure (‚blocked‘), up to 140 kg can weigh on the adjusting cup.
This makes adjustment much more difficult.

Helper springs with a rate of about 20 Nm/mm, as they are commonly used, do not influence the driving quality, since they are no longer effective.
Due to the basic weight of the vehicle, each spring of the front axle is loaded with at least 250 kg. Due to the blocking of the 20 Nm helper spring, which is already at approximately 140 kg, only the main spring will affect the suspension.

As the LOWTEC HiLOW coilover kits do not need any helper springs, adjustment is possible without any pressure on the spring.