On 2001-07-25 20:58, IMA Z06 spewed forth this drivel:
teamzr1
Cool post, alway's wondered how a shock went up and down...........
Well I admit going up and down, up and down is a lot of fun but if you look at the design it is already designed to add a spring and the Hydraulic Secondary Spring, the 9000 SS, is a new innovation from the Penske Racing Shocks design offices.
This device creates a hydraulic link between paired dampers at the front and/or rear of the car which serves to transform otherwise independent side dampers into part of a total hydraulic damping system. The 9000 SS provides the best of both worlds for racing damper needs by allowing the use of "softer", decreased rate corner springs for better control and ride over the low speed bumps while maintaining the needed ground clearance and ride height under aero loads. This occurs as a progressive, additive spring rate is created based solely on shaft displacements.
It works to moderate roll hydraulically instead of mechanically as fluid is allowed to transfer from damper to damper, loading the unloaded wheel and providing better traction through the low speed corners.
In two wheel bump, the system decouples itself and the 9000 SS canister acts as a system accumulator, maintaining the individual characteristics of the dampers. Thus, pitch control is virtually independent of roll control.
This device is critically dependent on the system fluid volume and therefore, a syringe-type tool is used to add or withdraw the exact amount of fluid for a desired ride height.
The 9000 SS has already been race proven on Sports Car/GT, CART, Formula Atlantic, and Australian Touring Cars with great success.
Now that is really a hoot
John