Ok, I'll start with the basics.
You've probably heard of 1way, 2way, 3 way suspension.
This denotes the amount of external adjustments that the user can change, each with so many 'clicks'
1 way means the shock absorber has one external adjustment which changes the damping rate internally. Depending on the manufacturer and design, this can alter the bump (compression) and rebound together with a preset ratio, or with some, rebound only, with preset bump valving.
Ok, this is a good time to explain what what bump/compression and rebound is.
Bump or Compression is when the shock absorber compresses ie the strut moves down into the body of the suspension unit. This happens when hitting bumps or rising undulations on the road, or when entering a corner and the weight of the car causes roll which again compresses the outboard shock absorbers. It also happens when braking and accelerating when inertia forces of the car cause the suspension to compress.
Rebound is when the shock absorber extends, ie the strut moves out of the body of the suspension unit, and happens on the downward slope of an undulation (normally after a compression has happened) Again this also happens under cornering and braking/accelerating.
The cars stationary weight is always trying to compress the suspension and the suspension springs are always trying to extent (rebound) the suspension.
Back to the number of adjustments.
2 way means the shock absorber has two external adjustments, one for compression and one for rebound, which can be adjusted completely separately from each other. (in theory, I'll explain later!)
Next is 3 way.
These have separate external bump and rebound adjustments and an added adjustment which is high speed bump (compression)
Normal bump adjustment is 'slow' speed bump. This affects the damping rate, or in simple terms the restriction to movement of the strut, when it is moving slowly, up to a predetermined/preset speed/force. When hitting normal small bumps or undulations, or when turning into a corner and the car slowly rolls until supported by the springs and anti-roll bars, normal 'low speed' bump damping is controlling things.
High speed bump starts controlling things when hitting big bumps or undulations (such as big kerbs on track) which try to move the strut at a faster rate (a bigger force over a shorter time)
Think of it as a sort of pressure relief valve which opens when pressure inside the shock exceeds a certain amount, but still with controlled damping, which can be adjusted with this third external setting.
There are 4,5 and 6 way suspensions, but let's not over complicate things at this stage.
You've probably heard of 1way, 2way, 3 way suspension.
This denotes the amount of external adjustments that the user can change, each with so many 'clicks'
1 way means the shock absorber has one external adjustment which changes the damping rate internally. Depending on the manufacturer and design, this can alter the bump (compression) and rebound together with a preset ratio, or with some, rebound only, with preset bump valving.
Ok, this is a good time to explain what what bump/compression and rebound is.
Bump or Compression is when the shock absorber compresses ie the strut moves down into the body of the suspension unit. This happens when hitting bumps or rising undulations on the road, or when entering a corner and the weight of the car causes roll which again compresses the outboard shock absorbers. It also happens when braking and accelerating when inertia forces of the car cause the suspension to compress.
Rebound is when the shock absorber extends, ie the strut moves out of the body of the suspension unit, and happens on the downward slope of an undulation (normally after a compression has happened) Again this also happens under cornering and braking/accelerating.
The cars stationary weight is always trying to compress the suspension and the suspension springs are always trying to extent (rebound) the suspension.
Back to the number of adjustments.
2 way means the shock absorber has two external adjustments, one for compression and one for rebound, which can be adjusted completely separately from each other. (in theory, I'll explain later!)
Next is 3 way.
These have separate external bump and rebound adjustments and an added adjustment which is high speed bump (compression)
Normal bump adjustment is 'slow' speed bump. This affects the damping rate, or in simple terms the restriction to movement of the strut, when it is moving slowly, up to a predetermined/preset speed/force. When hitting normal small bumps or undulations, or when turning into a corner and the car slowly rolls until supported by the springs and anti-roll bars, normal 'low speed' bump damping is controlling things.
High speed bump starts controlling things when hitting big bumps or undulations (such as big kerbs on track) which try to move the strut at a faster rate (a bigger force over a shorter time)
Think of it as a sort of pressure relief valve which opens when pressure inside the shock exceeds a certain amount, but still with controlled damping, which can be adjusted with this third external setting.
There are 4,5 and 6 way suspensions, but let's not over complicate things at this stage.