Determining damping coefficient of a shock

Question

Determining damping coefficient of a shock

OGR34 (Automotive)

(OP)

28 Mar 15 01:26

Have a couple shocks that I want to test for their damping coefficients. Does anyone know any good testing methods that can be done without using highly sophisticated measuring devices to determine the damping coefficient?

cibachrome (Automotive) · Answer 1 · 2015-03-29 18:06:34

Which one of the usual 4 damping coefficients are you referring to ? (jounce, jounce blowoff, rebound, rebound blowoff).

OGR34 (Automotive) · Answer 2 · 2015-03-29 18:21:15

Sorry, I wasn't being very specific. I would like to test for all 4 of the damping coefficients. I don't have a shock dynamometer handy so I'm having difficulty figuring out how I can do this.

OGR34 (Automotive) · Answer 3 · 2015-03-29 18:22:09

Also I would like to add that the shocks are mono tube nitrogen charged.

BrianPetersen (Mechanical) · Answer 4 · 2015-03-29 21:28:08

Shock dynamometer.

You can't measure crankshafts and connecting rods for oil clearance using a tape measure. Same concept. If you want to make the right measurement with the right degree of accuracy, you need the right measuring tool ... and in this case, that's a shock dyno.

Backyard methods like installing it on a car and jumping up and down on the bumper will tell you whether it has some damping, or none.

OGR34 (Automotive) · Answer 5 · 2015-03-29 21:35:35

I had a feeling that was my only option. That sucks sad

Thanks for the replies anyways! I guess I'm going to have to look for a local shop that will provide shock dyno services.

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Determining damping coefficient of a shock