Can one predict the respone of a Hotchkis 3 leaf set, if the lower leading short spring was snubbed? It seems, placing a .5" or 1' poly snubber in this area would engage the tension of the lower short spring earlier and maybe act as a psuedo-traction bar.
There is a hole already present (w/a very thin plastic snubber) at the leading edges and one could easily raise the rear and place a poly snubber between the front leafs.

Any thoughts?

joe c

Yeah that is the right idea. Pre-loading the the front of the spring pac will engauge more of the spring sooner. The only problem/question to this is, where is the end of the second leaf from the front eye?

Originally posted by chicane67:
. The only problem/question to this is, where is the end of the second leaf from the front eye? The second spring is wrapped about 3" behind the front eye of the first spring. The snubbed force would be applied about midline (perch/ spring eye)to the second spring.

I'm thinking of going with energy suspensions 2" round diameter by 3/4" tall flat bump stops (acting as snubbers) for this trial.

I just don't want to snap the spring set or cause undo damage to them.

Any thoughts on the safety of doing this?

I just pulled a measurement - gotta love this stuff. The 2nd spring leaf ends 3 3/4" before the front spring eye center. Mine also have about a 1/4" thick band clamping the top and middle leafs together about 1" or so from the end of the second leaf.

Well, the closer to the eye the better. But even on the third leaf half way to the eye, it doesnt appear that you should or will have any problems with damaging the spring, as you will be supporting the main and second leaf.

I take it your idea is to drill and mount a ploy snubber to the front of the third leaf? This is something to explore......as it is a very interesting idea. It is also going to effectivly change the spring rate, but by very little. It could be just enough to make a positive difference.

I think that if you were to put one on the second leaf closer to the main eye that it will be more effective. An addition to the third leaf will be very little to help in traction problems, but would help more toward wheel hop concerns.

Originally posted by chicane67:

I take it your idea is to drill and mount a ploy snubber to the front of the third leaf?

Whats cool is The hole already exists! They have a plastic less than 1/4 " snubber ,if you will, in place already. I may have to enlarge the hole for a real snubber however.

I think that if you were to put one on the second leaf closer to the main eye that it will be more effective.


Can't get to it, its wrapped

An addition to the third leaf will be very little to help in traction problems, but would help more toward wheel hop concerns.

If the thickness were increased by say an adjusting bolt,which is part of the energy sus. bump stop, or if the height were increased to say one inch, a higher pre load could be imposed on the first and second spring.

I'm going to do it and report differences, if any, to the board.

thanks
joe c

I agree with Tom... VERY interesting idea. Go for it Joe! How are you going to test though? Do you already have traction or hop problems?

This car has terrible traction with the 235 -60 R15" radials. And it will Hop. I can lay double solid rubber in First and second gear. I don't mean "chirping" second gear, I mean smoking dual solid tracs of rubber. I'm really suprised since the flywheel is 16lb.
The car does not want to Xfer weight at launch either.

Im thinking of trying to measure in 60' times, and any degradation in ride quality

any other ideas?