Can springs go soft?

[stuey]

Hi guys, I was wondering if anyone has ever noticed a set of shock springs going soft? I have a set of silver Associated springs on the rear of by B4, and the rear seems a bit prone to collapsing. I have done the usual stuff to help stop it, but it still happens. I have no idea how old they, but they must be at least 10 years old. Is it worth trying a new pair??

[janus_77]

Springs can get a bit softer during their lifetime, it's best to replace them about every 3 seasons.

[racingdwarf]

yep, shock springs get soft with age, My B4 is 4 years old now,last season I replaced the silver springs as they are the ones I always seem to use, the diffrence was amazing

[SlowOne]

What do you guys mean by 'soft'? The reason I ask is that in this type of fatigue, it is usual for the material to harden due to the work is it doing. It's known, unoriginally, as work hardening. The other thing that can happen is hardening through age (known as age hardening!) which will have the same effect on the working of the spring.

The effect you see is that the spring gets shorter, and that the rate actually goes up as it becomes less resilient. However, a lack of travel and the stiffening of the spring will change the handling, and fitting new ones will restore previous performance.

So, I'd be interested to know what you mean by 'soft', because the mechanics of the materials means that they can only become less resilient, not more; harder, not softer. I know that on full-size cars, guys refer to springs having 'collapsed' as this is the effect of the reduction in their length. Whilst we contantly adjust ride height, and don't notice the reduction in length as easily, you can always spot a road car with collapsed springs! Thanks in advance for any information that might help me explain the issues a bit better.

[Alfonzo]

All good as ever Slow One, however - check this out http://www.ehow.com/way_5516582_weak-coil-springs.html

Refers to gentle tempering from temperature rises within the material.

I don't recommend the suggested fix using a oxycetalene torch though. Or at least, if you do make sure you remove the Lipo first

[rocketrob]

Springs do get soft, the more you use them the more abused they get.
Upside is they're CHEAP!
To retain consistent peformance I replace them after each season.

[SlowOne]

Rob, sorry, not making my point well. Springs don't go soft, their material changes and thus their spring rate. Usually their free height reduces, and their rate changes - both affect the handling.

Alfonzo - we need to buy tickets to watch anyone trying to do that. It would be better entertainment than watching them race!! Just fire up this torch, hold it near the spring... Oh s*!t, I;ve melted it!!

Like Rob says, springs are so cheap, so easy to fit - so buy some!

[rocketrob]

Originally Posted by SlowOne

Rob, sorry, not making my point well. Springs don't go soft, their material changes and thus their spring rate. Usually their free height reduces, and their rate changes - both affect the handling.

Alfonzo - we need to buy tickets to watch anyone trying to do that. It would be better entertainment than watching them race!! Just fire up this torch, hold it near the spring... Oh s*!t, I;ve melted it!!

Like Rob says, springs are so cheap, so easy to fit - so buy some!

Rate changes, go soft = same thing to me.