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Originally Posted by ReVerm
That is incorrect. Many springs have linear rates. the spring rate is the weight it takes to compress any part of the spring one inch. All springs get harder and harder to compress as you compress it more. That's a basic attribute of springs. How much more force is required to compress that after a x amount of compression and its relation to the force required to compress the spring that first x amount determines whether it is a linear or progressive rate spring.
edit: Now that I think about it, I should have mentioned this the first time when KA24Tech first said that. Sorry.
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Actually you are incorrect. A linear rate spring has the same lbs./in. whether it is in the first inch or the third.
H&R says this;
Spring Rate: A change in load per unit deflection, generally given in pounds per inch.
Working Spring Rate: The rate of the spring from the installed height to full compression. This is the spring rate you use when you are driving your car. This is the only spring rate which can be used when comparing Spring Performance.
Progressive Spring: Is when there is a variable rate increase throughout the spring's working range.
Linear Spring: One rate throughout the springs working range.
Also for more technical I have listed this info from my friends at Whiteline Suspension in Australia to give the correct definition:
What is "Spring Rate" and why should I know about it?
A spring will be compressed when a load is applied. The distance it is compressed (deflected) for that given load is referred to as the spring rate. Spring rate is specified in terms of force applied per distance of deflection. Typically, the units of spring rate are pounds force per Inch or using the metric Sl system - Newton's per millimeter. We can just as easily convert the pounds into kilograms and measure the deflection in millimeters.
If a load of 1 kg deflects a spring 1-mm, each additional 1-kg will deflect it another mm. For each kg removed from the load the spring will return one mm toward its original state. The spring may be loaded at the rate of 1 kg per mm until it is deflected beyond its capacity. This means the spring will become damaged and will not resume its original characteristics when the load is removed. This point is called the elastic limit. A spring loaded beyond the elastic limit is deformed permanently.
In this example using linear design coils, both springs have 125 kg's of force applied to them. The standard spring has deflected 150mm from its original height. It therefore has a spring rate of 125 kg's per 150 mm, or 0.833 kg's/mm.
The replacement coil however with the same force only deflects 100 mm. Its rate is therefore 125 kg's per 100 mm or, 1.25 kg's/mm. It is a heavier spring.
Even though the replacement spring is 50 mm shorter, given the same weight, the ride height will be the same. However, because the spring is of a heavier rate, it will sag less, handle greater loads and often perform better in performance applications. A lowered heavier rate spring may be shorter again to deliver a lowered ride height with a heavier rate.
Hopefully this clears it up...
Troy
Linear Mode
