spring pad effect

[farouq]

[FONT=verdana, arial, helvetica]i'm thinking of changing my spring pads but before i do change them i have a few questions.[/FONT]
[FONT=verdana, arial, helvetica]i understand they are used to change the height of the car but do they effect anything else. would you feel more of the road, bumps etc because there is less rubber betwwen the spring and the car. going from pad 5 to pad 1 will effect anything else apart from going lower. thanks[/FONT]

 

[Shude]

[FONT=verdana, arial, helvetica]i'm thinking of changing my spring pads but before i do change them i have a few questions.[/FONT]
[FONT=verdana, arial, helvetica]i understand they are used to change the height of the car but do they effect anything else. would you feel more of the road, bumps etc because there is less rubber betwwen the spring and the car. going from pad 5 to pad 1 will effect anything else apart from going lower. thanks[/FONT]

AFAIK, spring pad thickness proportionally changes the amount of road-noise in the cabin.

The cars with the biggest engines and most (heaviest) options have thicker pads leading to less noise intrusion in the cabin.

Poverty-spec cars will have the slimmest pads so will suffer more interior noise and also have the smallest opportunity for lowering the ride height with the pads

 

[stats007]

I'm not entirely convinced by Shude's argument. I can't see how they would affect interior noise on a noticeable level.

Heavier cars can actually have thinner spring pads if they go up a spring rating for example.

 

[Dieselman]

I'm not entirely convinced by Shude's argument. I can't see how they would affect interior noise on a noticeable level.

Heavier cars can actually have thinner spring pads if they go up a spring rating for example.

Whether the vehicle weight and spring pad thickness is linked as such, thinner pads will definitely produce more road noise due to less insulating rubber.
This is how manufacturers reduce NHV ratings and is why MB feel elastic in their steering motions, they are designed to absorb noise for comfort.

 

[kth286]

Shude is partially correct for same model car where if one has lots of options fitted but the other does not, then the heavier car will likely have thicker pads.

 

[stats007]

Whether the vehicle weight and spring pad thickness is linked as such, thinner pads will definitely produce more road noise due to less insulating rubber.
This is how manufacturers reduce NHV ratings and is why MB feel elastic in their steering motions, they are designed to absorb noise for comfort.

Most spring pads are polyurethane not rubber and I'm wondering how will they attribute to an elastic steering feel when they only affect vertical and not lateral motion anyway?

I've personally never seen NHV and spring pads mentioned in the same sentance either - in fact a rubber mount can actually increase NHV by introducing low frequency vibration.

 

[Dieselman]

The elastic feeling was referring to sub-frame bushes and other suspension bushes, but then you knew that anyway.

Of course I realise that spring pads are synthetic as opposed to natural rubber but I think if we stick to the term rubber people understand what is meant.

If spring pads don't absorb vibration why not try removing them and see what effect you get, also why do MB and other marques fit them at all then?

 

[stats007]

They fit them to prevent two metal surfaces rubbing together and to facilitate a simple way of adjusting ride height.

 

[Dieselman]

They fit them to prevent two metal surfaces rubbing together and to facilitate a simple way of adjusting ride height.

If there is no vibration why would they rub together??

 

[stats007]

Ever heard of shear forces?

 

[Kompressor_Dude]

So is this a good way of lowering your car a bit on a stock suspension set-ups or will it just increase road noise for a very small drop in ride height?

 

[janner]

Thicker spring pads do improve ride comfort slightly. I know this from experience.
Lowering the car will affect the camber so you will need an alignment afterwards.
You should also note that the ride height is affected by more than the difference in pad thickness due to the geometry. eg. Going from a 23mm pad to an 8mm pad will lower the car by more than 15mm.

 

[stats007]

I can guarantee you won't notice a difference in road noise from thinner spring pads.

 

[andy_cyp]

I can guarantee you won't notice a difference in road noise from thinner spring pads.

ill second that, ive got the 4mm pads.

 

[farouq]

thanks for your help, it looks like people have diffrent views on the pads and noise. i will proberly change my pads in two weeks time and let you guys know the outcome.