UPDATED: Replacing Rear Shocks: Reducing the rear end bounce.

[markboris]

All of you on this project are amazing. You might be solving the biggest complaint of this vehicle, something a legacy OEM isn't doing. That's insane, inspiring, and amazing simultaneously.

Keep going!

It would be really nice if we could do this with the front shocks this easily but that's not the case. I think just the rear is going to make a big difference and they are cheaper and much less to install than the front's anyway.

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[markboris]

I have to echo Ken's (ed: and JB's--just saw his post) sentiments here. I think this is my favorite thread in almost 2 years here on the forum. I'm learning a lot but I'm also seeing the best of what these forums offer--lots of folks with expertise coming together to solve a problem (and one that Ford should have already taken care of, but that's a different topic). The level of collegiality and generosity with time (and money) is inspiring. On that topic, given how many people are interested in a better suspension, as witness by the popularity of the great 'bounciness' thread started by @bellyer, I would bet many would be happy to make a donation to those working this out. I know I would. Any thoughts of starting a GoFundMe page or some other way to donate to the 'suspension team'?

Thank you for the kind words. I am not sure about Erik or the others but I am not interested in any donations. I am doing this because this is what I love to do. If it works out, great. If not, then I tried. I spent about $4K on installing a full air suspension for this car and was not happy with the fact I needed to spend more time and money with it to perfect it was tired of working on it. This is much easier, cheaper and more doable. Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[azerik]

Spent an hour road testing the same 3 mile run. Single adjustable qa1’s won’t cut it.
6 clicks =worse bounce when getting that harmonic bounce
7 = about the same
8 = slightly harsher, more noticeable expansion joints, less freeway bounce
10= harsh slight pogo
12 = moar harsh lotsa pogo
14 = why did I try full pogo in a parking lot.

must have more rebound than compression. I think these are slightly lighter rebound than compression. At least it felt that why by hand one 1 click.

 

[markboris]

Spent an hour road testing the same 3 mile run. Single adjustable qa1’s won’t cut it.
6 clicks =worse bounce when getting that harmonic bounce
7 = about the same
8 = slightly harsher, more noticeable expansion joints, less freeway bounce
10= harsh slight pogo
12 = moar harsh lotsa pogo
14 = why did I try full pogo in a parking lot.

must have more rebound than compression. I think these are slightly lighter rebound than compression. At least it felt that why by hand one 1 click.

You have proved what I, Lee and others have been saying, need more rebound than compression. The Koni's I currently have running on Anton's car have more rebound than compression and that's why they are working great for him, at least on his bouncy freeway. The OEM shocks have more compression than rebound and that's why they bounce with our firm rear springs.

I now have tested 5 different sets of shocks. They all have either more compression than rebound or 50/50. I am done testing all of these other shocks. Saturday I will install the Viking dual adjustable's on Anton's car and pretty sure they will work out well beings the compression and rebound are independently adjustable.

 

[kennethjk]

You have proved what I, Lee and others have been saying, need more rebound than compression. The Koni's I currently have running on Anton's car have more rebound than compression and that's why they are working great for him, at least on his bouncy freeway. The OEM shocks have more compression than rebound and that's why they bounce with our firm rear springs.

I now have tested 5 different sets of shocks. They all have either more compression than rebound or 50/50. I am done testing all of these other shocks. Saturday I will install the Viking dual adjustable's on Anton's car and pretty sure they will work out well beings the compression and rebound are independently adjustable.

Can’t wait to see the results

 

[azerik]

Yeah, been kicking myself for not just getting the duals. Trying to save $200 cost me $425. It's how I roll. Trying to decide if I just order QA1's or go to Viking.

I was looking at the Viking charts and one in particular looks promising.

While the b valving is an over all slower rebound the E has the taper I think the MME needs. Though .5 second faster would be nice.

Also looks like all my bars are making plenty of noise now. It amazes me just how much acoustics get transfered through the unibody'ish frame. The rear strut bolt rubbing just barely sounded like a loose bolt on an a-arm. And I Dynamat'd the trunk and rear wheel wells.

You have proved what I, Lee and others have been saying, need more rebound than compression.

When talking to the shock companies and when people are trying to explain this to others we should probably use the term 'slower rebound'. When I'm adjusting shocks more rebound to me usually means faster rebound. Just a thought that we could be confusing those who arn't seeing the mechanics of this.

 

[JohnFoxeSheets]

Can’t wait to see the results

+1

 

[azerik]

Continued messing around with the single adjust shocks and got it where it’s pretty darn good. Slightly harsh over 1.5 inch expansion joints but controls the bounce.

Set the rear Steeda bar to its softest
Set the QA1’s to 5.
I also graphed my bump test like Mach-Lee except used the whole car to do it. Here we have horrible curbs into our driveways. So. Line ‘rr up and hit that at about 2mph. I realized late that 1pd was probably messing with the suspension cycle as the weight transfers to the front. I’ll get those graphs up as soon as I find a decent way of showing the difference between 4,5,6 clicks.
Currently I have the entire rear aero cover off so I’m sticking below 50mph until I get to the dealer to get new Christmas trees for it. Don’t want to pull a M3 and leave the bumper somewhere.

Edit: Couple more runs around and 5 clicks does a great job at speeds over 20mph. Under that you get every bump and dip. I think the Vikings will be somewhere around 3c/7r.

I also took the liberty to pack dynamat in the rear speaker while I'm in there. Got to pull the front areo cover off , going to do the same to that speaker. No one would be able to tell.

 

[markboris]

UPDATE:
I am going to be out of town for the next 9 days then back home for 2 and gone again for 5 so I won't be around for much testing.

I don't have the time tomorrow at Anton's to change out all 4 sets of shocks to test them, besides one of them being the Dual Adjustable Viking, that would take much longer to try and dial in. So I have decided to ship the Vikings to Erik in Arizona for him to spend the time to test out. I will test the other 3 non adjustable shocks at Anton's and Anton will post some charts what he finds when we use is accelerometer app or whatever it is. That is his department. ?

This is part of my work bench right now. Not very organized but I know where things are...... The shocks that are not shown are the Koni's that are on Anton's car and one of the Bilstein B8's that are on my car.

 

[kennethjk]

UPDATE:
I am going to be out of town for the next 9 days then back home for 2 and gone again for 5 so I won't be around for much testing.

I don't have the time tomorrow at Anton's to change out 4 sets of shocks to test them, besides one of them being the Dual Adjustable Viking, that would take much longer to try and dial in. So I have decided to ship the Vikings to Erik in Arizona for him to spend the time to test out. I will test the other 3 non adjustable shocks at Anton's and Anton will post some charts what he finds when we use is accelerometer app or whatever it is. That is his department. ?

This is my work bench right now. Not very organized but I know where things are...... The shocks that are not shown are the Koni's that are on Anton's car and one of the Bilstein B8's that are on my car.

Who said you could go away, did we give you permission? I must have missed something.

we need to have a long discussion about responsibilities when you return.

have a good trip

 

[markboris]

Who said you could go away, did we give you permission? I must have missed something.

we need to have a long discussion about responsibilities when you return.

have a good trip

Funny Ken. If I'm not working around my place, I am helping friends and family. It's what I like to do.

Next week, going to Phoenix to update my friends Mach-E Premium (my previous car) and help him upgrade his home A/C system from a 3 ton to a 4 ton. Also helping paint a retaining wall and build some portable outdoor sheds. After that flying to Denver where I am meeting a friend at Phil Long Ford where he is picking up his new Maverick. He's waited 7 months and it comes in next week. This is his first new vehicle (he's 25) and I want to make sure the transaction goes without dealer issues. I ordered H&R leveling springs we are installing which will also slightly raise the truck up a bit. I also had the Tire Rack ship him some oversized Falken Wildpeak AT3W tires and we will have Les Schwab install them and align it. Tuning the truck with a Cobb Stage 1. We are doing a few other mods like installing a foldable bed cover, hood struts, adding some interior and exterior LED lighting and I'm going to change some settings/enable features in FORScan.

The week after going to my nieces in San Diego to install a home alarm system, exterior security cameras and mount TV's on some walls, in a new home she just bought among other things she has for me to do.

This is why I am sending the Viking shocks to Erik as I want this project to continue and not stall for a couple of weeks. Again, tomorrow I am testing out several shocks on Anton's car so we will have some data for everyone. I do believe though, that the Vikings being dual adjustable are our best bet. The Koni's will come in a close second since the rebound is adjustable on those and that is the main adjustment we need. Stay tuned.

 

[CAL465]

Friends and family are lucky to have you. Safe travels.

 

[kennethjk]

Funny Ken. If I'm not working around my place, I am helping friends and family. It's what I like to do.

Next week, going to Phoenix to update my friends MME Premium (my previous car) and help him upgrade his home A/C system from a 3 ton to a 4 ton. Also helping paint a retaining wall and build some portable outdoor sheds. After that flying to Denver where I am meeting a friend at Phil Long Ford where he is picking up his new Maverick. He's waited 7 months and it comes in next week. This is his first new vehicle (he's 25) and I want to make sure the transaction goes without dealer issues. I ordered H&R leveling springs we are installing which will also slightly raise the truck up a bit. I also had the Tire Rack ship him some oversized Falken Wildpeak AT3W tires and we will have Les Schwab install them and align it. Tuning the truck with a Cobb Stage 1. We are doing a few other mods like installing a foldable bed cover, hood struts, adding some interior and exterior LED lighting and I'm going to change some settings/enable features in FORScan.

The week after going to my nieces in San Diego to install a home alarm system, exterior security cameras and mount TV's on some walls, in a new home she just bought among other things she has for me to do.

This is why I am sending the Viking shocks to Erik as I want this project to continue and not stall for a couple of weeks. Again, tomorrow I am testing out several shocks on Anton's car so we will have some data for everyone. I do believe though, that the Vikings being dual adjustable are our best bet. The Koni's will come in a close second since the rebound is adjustable on those and that is the main adjustment we need. Stay tuned.

You are a rare friend indeed, the best kind

we are all lucky to have you

 

[markboris]

You are a rare friend indeed, the best kind

we are all lucky to have you

Thanks Ken. Being retired, if I don't keep busy, I will end up like my dad not being able to move around much anymore.

 

[kennethjk]

Thanks Ken. Being retired, if I don't keep busy, I will end up like my dad not being able to move around much anymore.

I get it, I love doing projects and always loved cars and projects for them.

Just never had the time for the big car ones (to me) like your doing.

If I didn’t do what I did , I always said I would loved to be a mechanic. Oh well in another lifetime.

Nothing is better than the feeling of accomplishment when finished, I have built stereo equipment from scratch, finished basements etc

Of course nothing is worse when your done building stereo equipment and it doesn’t turn on. Ask me how I know. Sometimes a good wack helps , LOL

Keep it up and thanks again

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