Lots of preload -- cheap!

[speedy_w_beans]

Sharing a simple discovery I made today...

If you ever need lots of preload for monster truck springs or crawler springs, one inexpensive way to do this is to get some convoluted tubing and cut to the needed length. Click on the attached image below to see an example.

In this case I needed about 17 mm of preload to increase ride height and help control chassis torque twist during hard acceleration and braking. Instead of installing a bunch of preload clips or several zip ties, the convoluted tubing adds the preload without looking too ugly.

The dampers are 12 mm in diameter; the convoluted tubing has an ID of 3/8", or about 9.5 mm. Cutting is easy; just follow the ridges in the tubing. Installation is also easy since the tubing already has a slit in it; just spread the tubing to slip over the damper body, and it will grab the damper firmly without crushing it. Rotate the exposed slit out of sight and let the spring collar rest against the tubing.

I can explain the background if anyone is interested, but the key thing was to share an inexpensive way to make large preload clips for nonthreaded dampers.

-Paul