Rear Coilover Spring Rate Help
 

Looking for advice on what spring rate would be best and why?

Details: Ladder Bar, Santhuff Double Adjustable on all 4, 150 springs on the front, 406, Glide, 1600lb. rear weight, 19" rear shock length. 1700lb front weight.

Mark

Re: Rear Coilover Spring Rate Help
 

Reach out to Marty Rinehart at Rinehart Performance. They sell and work with Santhuff on all kinds of combos.

Re: Rear Coilover Spring Rate Help
 

I have asked them and they recommend 125# and Santhuff had recommended a 150# spring along with a few others. However I want someone to explain why use a specific rate and how it should affect the car.

Re: Rear Coilover Spring Rate Help
 

Mark. You’re car is gonna work just fine trust me!

Re: Rear Coilover Spring Rate Help
 

There are good technical pages on the Chris Alston chassis site. Info on choosing spring rates and setting up coilovers.

Re: Rear Coilover Spring Rate Help
 

Isn't the theory that you want the lightest spring that will hold the car up? That will most easily allow your ladder bar and shock adjustments to do their thing without unnecessary resistance from the springs.

Re: Rear Coilover Spring Rate Help
 

correct

Re: Rear Coilover Spring Rate Help
 

So your saying as long as the spring doesn’t coil bind and has enough room for compression for bumps that’s the best spring?

Re: Rear Coilover Spring Rate Help
 

What Lenny said ^^^^
Use the shock adjustment/valving for bumps..

Re: Rear Coilover Spring Rate Help
 

For any situation, there will be 3 or more spring rates which will support the car at the desired ride height with the shock at the the desired center to center (which should be maintained). This will have the different rate springs compressed to different heights. Compressing a spring stores energy which makes the suspension more "lively".

Heavy springs compressed a little will react differently than light springs compressed more. Which you use depends on many things in your combination and personal preference. Lighter springs will usually require better shocks to control the housing, especially with ladder bars, certain 4 link settings and/or higher power levels, allowing you to tune it accordingly.

Marty's recommendation of 125# on that 14" spring (I assume) and the Santhuffs is likely spot on.