WHAT IS IT? Down-travel is the difference between ride height and the maximum height the chassis can be lifted, with the tires still touching the ground. So as the chassis moves up, the tires will still stay on the ground for X amount of chassis movement, where x = down-travel, or droop. This means that the longer this distance is, or the more droop you run, the more the car can roll, and the more the tires follow the track surface on bumpy tracks. When you accelerate with a lot of droop, the front wheels will also stay on the ground, as the front rises and the weight shifts back onto the rear tires. In general, more droop results in more grip, better jumping and landing, and calmer steering, and it is preferred on loose- to medium-grip tracks, or bumpy tracks. Less droop results in greater corner speed, more sudden loss of traction, and more aggressive steering, and it is preferred on smooth, high-traction tracks. The drawback of driving with a lot of droop is that the car will be more likely to traction roll, or at least go up on two wheels and feel squirmy, if the traction is high enough. The drawback of running a small amount of droop is that the car does not jump or land as well, and it may lose rear grip in corners suddenly. Also, if it does roll due to traction, or a bump, it will all happen very quickly and will be difficult to save. ADJUSTMENT OPTIONS Most cars use droop screws in the arms that hit the chassis and limit down-travel. Some don’t, forcing you to limit the shock length by placing spacers internally under the piston. There are advantages and disadvantages to both methods. Droop screws are quicker and easier but offer less consistent settings, as screws wear into the chassis. Shock limiters offer the greatest accuracy, but it’s very time-consuming to disassemble your shocks every time you want to alter droop. For minor setting changes, there’s always the old ball-end trick: screw your shock end in or out a turn or two for quick testing. Remember, this is often a weak point in a vehicle, so use this technique temporarily until you find your setup. International “internet” superstar! WWW.VRCMAG.COM 95
VRC_014_JQDroop
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