What are dampers?

[zishan03]

Hello again everybody,

I couldnt find an appropriate section to put this question in so i hope the mods dont mind it here, feel free to move it.

I got a quote this morning for brabus lowering springs installed for around £500, but the cost with dampers is around £1100. Would anyone care to explain to me what dampers are? and what the difference would be if I had them or not.

Thanks in advance.

Zishan

 

[Shude]

Dampers sit with the spring and control it's activity so the car doesn't bounce up and down after the spring's taken a compression. The Brabus dampers are probably shorter than the oem ones to take into account the lower riding/stiffer Brabus springs.

Dampers are often refered to as shock absorbers.

 

[zishan03]

So how bad would it be to not get them in your opinion or do you think they are worth saving up for?

 

[Will]

So how bad would it be to not get them in your opinion or do you think they are worth saving up for?

Dampers can make a significant difference to your car's handling characteristics and to the ride quality. Sport-orientated dampers will have some form of trade-off, namely that they will improve the car's road manners at the expense of the ride comfort.

If you are lowering your car then I would personally look at replacing the dampers. Remember that the original dampers were only designed with the original springs in mind.

HTH,

Will

 

[R2D2]

There are a lot cheaper ways to do shocks and springs that paying £1100. Will and I have both done suspension mods and you need to understand what it is you want to achieve before spending or you may be disappointed!

Try reading this thread..........
http://mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=11872

 

[PJH]

This basic graphic shows what's going on inside a damper.
http://travel.howstuffworks.com/mountain-bike4.htm