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Shock valving for dummies

Discussion in 'Suspension' started by WendyTaco, Sep 25, 2016.

  1. May 26, 2024 at 5:34 PM
    #21
    PirateMedic3

    PirateMedic3 Well-Known Member

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    BAMF Hybrid Front bumper OutGear Solutions Rear Heretic Lighting RCI Skids
    Can we revive this old thread?!? lol I have some questions on how to relay my issues to the tech. I currently have issues where I think I have too much rebound. It seems like its "Topping Out" over speed bumps, really slamming down on certain bumps. Is this a rebound issues? Is it too much or not enough, what do I tell the tech I would like? I feel most revalving is trial and error, who has that kinda cash to just try it and do it over!
     
  2. May 28, 2024 at 6:40 PM
    #22
    Tacoma1192

    Tacoma1192 GD MOTORSPORTS

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    It would be an issue of insufficient rebound, but more likely, it is a ride height issue. The ride height may not be allowing enough droop travel to catch the truck before the shock tops out - resulting in the truck dropping down creating a top out feeling - then trying to catch the whole truck on the way down.
     
  3. May 28, 2024 at 8:48 PM
    #23
    PirateMedic3

    PirateMedic3 Well-Known Member

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    hmm that’s interesting. Haven’t thought about that. Any suggestions on narrowing that down and solutions? I haven’t adjusted these other than leveling it out which was about a 1/2 inch of preload.
     
  4. Aug 6, 2024 at 10:20 AM
    #24
    zippo88

    zippo88 Well-Known Member

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    Thoughts on drilling bleed holes on the old factory low flow pistons? Thinking of bringing out the drill next time I tear down the coilovers
     
  5. Aug 7, 2024 at 9:22 AM
    #25
    Tacoma1192

    Tacoma1192 GD MOTORSPORTS

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    Depends on what you are trying to change. Drilling bleed holes does not convert a low flow piston to a high flow. Bleed holes go around the shim stack. This opens up more fluid to flow through the piston without hitting the rebound or compression stacks.
     
    SR-71A and Airdog like this.
  6. Aug 7, 2024 at 11:04 AM
    #26
    Saskabush

    Saskabush Well-Known Member

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    Elka 2.5" DSC w/ Deaver Stage 1, Archive Hammer Hangers, SPC UCAs, Timbren bumps, 16" TRD baja wheels, 265/75r16 BFG K02, 1.25" wheel spacers, TRD skid plate, N-Fab spare tire box mount.
    First step would be to figure out how much downtravel you have at ride height. Basically measure from top of tire to the fender. Then start jacking up the truck until the wheels just loose contact with the ground, then measure again and subtract the first number. That will tell you how much downtravel you have.

    If that number is, lets just say 2", then that means that if you drive over a 3" dip/hole the wheel will only be able to extend down 2" and you'll hear a bang as it tops out because it can't extend as far as it needs to. Knowing how much downtravel you have will let you know how big of a dip you can handle without topping out. Note that "dips" can also occur after bumps like speedbumps because your shock will compress over the bump but then needs to extend back down to the ground after. However if your suspension isn't dialed in (too stiff either from spring or compression) then the truck body/chasis will move upwards on that bump, making the amount it needs to extend down after more than it is currently compressed. If you don't have extra downtravel, you will top out. This isn't really a shock tuning problem though. It's likely just too much lift resulting in too little downtravel.

    If you discover you have plenty of downtravel, it could just be that you are oversprung and the shocks don't have enough rebound dampening to overcome the force of the spring. That makes the wheel rebound very fast which makes it feel like it's topping out. But really it's just the tire firing into the ground too fast. You can tune for this but it's kinda a double edge sword, cause at slow speeds you want slow rebound, but too slow of rebound means the shock will "pack down" on high speed stuff like washboard.

    I don't know what the right answer for you, just providing some context. This video also does a great job of explaining the symptoms of improper valving and what to kinda look for to help explain what changes you need to make with the valving. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8AgCvlgGsY
     

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