b) Adjusting the Shock Absorbers
The shock absorbers are equipped with threaded spring pre-tensioners.
Twisting the knurled nut upwards relieves the spring. Twisting downwards increases
the pre-tension of the spring. The spring pre-tension can thus be finely adjusted ac-
cording to surface and manner of driving.
• A low spring pre-tension lets the chassis sink lower due to its inherent weight.
• A harder setting lifts the chassis.
In this way, a certain higher or lower position of the chassis can be achieved (setting
ground clearance). By setting the damping you can adjust the model's ability to com-
pensate road unevenness and also influence the model's behaviour in curves.
This is described as "oversteering" or "understeering" driving behaviour.
Oversteering driving behaviour
The model "pulls" into the curve, the rear tends to swerve (too little traction on the rear
axle or too much traction on the steered front axle). As a counter measure the suspen-
sion should be set softer at the rear (or harder at the front).
Understeering driving behaviour
The model is difficult to steer around the bend, "pushes" the front wheels outwards (too much traction of the rear axle or too little traction of the steered front axle).
As a counter measure the suspension should be set harder at the rear (or softer at the front).
Over-steering or under-steering driving behaviour can be the result of uneven cornering powers of front and rear axle due to incorrect setting of the camber.
As a basic setting the front axle should be approx.. 5 mm lower than the rear axle!
Check the impact of the shock absorbers:
• Lift the model at the rear axle and drop it.
• The model should not deflect until lock and only top out once without any reverberation!
• Test the shock absorbers of the front axle in the same way.
Setting the spring pre-tension
• Increasing spring pre-tension: Turn the knurled nuts on the outer tube of the shock absorber clockwise.
• Decreasing spring pre-tension: Turn the knurled nuts on the outer tube of the shock absorber counter-clockwise.
Changing of shock absorbers
The front and rear shock absorbers have further attachment points at the damper plate and wishbone.
• Shifting on the top transverse link to a steeper clearance angle reduces progressivity. The vertical relative movement of the chassis is transmitted more directly
to the spring suspension; the shock absorber effect kicks in immediately, meaning the spring suspension is harder when engaged even slightly. At the same
time the vehicle is brought to a higher position.
• Moving the shock absorbers to a flatter clearance angle increases progressivity. In case of a flat clearance angle, the chassis has to deflect deeper so that the
shock absorbers kick in, meaning the shock absorbers initially respond softly and then increasingly harder. The vehicle is lowered.
Shock absorber tuning
By selecting the right shock absorber oil, you can influence the shock absorbing characteristics. The oil normally used in the shock absorbers is perfectly suited
for most applications.
• On mainly smooth ground, we recommend more viscous oil (high viscosity).
• On open terrain, however, you should use less viscous oil (low viscosity).
Do not use any standard engine oil. We generally recommend using pure silicon shock absorber oil only. To further optimize the damper character-
istics we offer silicon oil for the shock absorbers in different viscosities in our accessories.
In addition to viscosity variations, different tuning shock absorber spring scan also be used.
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