Colin
I agree that the "setting" of the rebound spring does seem to change. I spent ages getting mine to the "correct" set points at static, but each time you go and road test it, the setting will change (and not always in the direction you think will, which fits with "stiction" being unpredictable) ) so it is a long and tedious job. I think I have a found a relatively good compromise now, where my rebound springs appear to be in "slight contact" most of the time, but the feel is good , and the ride is vastly improved. I am sure that it could be "optimised" but I just don't have the inclination to spend more hours under the car for an minot incremental improvement.
I agree it won't suit everyone , but to me the job was well worth it, and I am now much happier driving down poorly surfaces roads feeling that I am not crashing and graunching into every pothole , and the suspension is absorbing part of the load. It is also more comfortable to drive over long distances as the compliance leads to a more relaxing experience to the occupants. The steering effort seems easier as well , but this is almost certainly the bearing as opposed to damper blades.
I don't disagree Andy, that's why I said it suits some and not others. Yours was difficult to set up and as you know it was done twice (for those that don't know I fitted Andy's Suplex system)and even then you said you were out adjusting it back and forth to get the right adjustment. That's what I meant about the stiction present partly because of the design of the suspension but not least because of the KPI (King Pin Inclination) that makes it very difficult to get a base setting where the car returns to a static point each and every time. For those wanting a simple experiment roll you car to a halt, measure from the underside of the front panel or bumper to ground and now stop with a dab on the brakes and measure again.....two different readings, two different gaps or preloads on the rebound spring! No wonder you struggled. What you have reached is a setting that suits your cars weight and your drive requirements and that's brilliant but to try and replicate that, for the average owner, on cars of different weights is where the challenge lies. For someone who likes to play with their cars and get grubby as you and I both do, its not an issue, for some its something to consider that's all.
