Strut options

[charliechalk]

Hey all

I have a few questions regarding struts that I can't find answered here, at least not completely.

It is in regards to keeping springs captive and the machining of the shock piston length to achieve this.

This is where I am currently at: I have a st162 and have made up from some hsd sleeve kits a front pair of adjustable height struts. Currently I have 5kg/mm with keeper/helper springs to keep the correct ride height and keep the springs captive. However I wish to go to a 7kg/mm spring with no keeper spring.

Now from calculations and measurements there is roughly 325kg per corner, 5kg/mm spring compressed from 200mm to 135mm, so working backwards the 7kg/mm spring without the keeper spring will give me the same ride height at the same locater height. But the spring won't be kept captive.

current uncompressed spring length is 255mm, compressing to 160mm

My question is, what are my options here, is having the current strut insert piston shortened (machined) an option at all?
If not are there any shorter stroke options that are available?
Should I scrap what I have already done and rebuild with a shortened strut (or remove a portion to shorten the current items) and different shock insert?
Is ~70mm (would have to remeasure for exact number) of travel before bottoming out enough with these numbers (5kg or 7kg)

I have looked at the idea of getting a longer keeper spring made up, but don't like my chances it would have to be ~120 uncompressed and compress to ~40mm.

All help appreciated

[Sam_Q]

Apparently it is possible to shorten where the thread is on a shocker shaft, something I need to look into myself.

[charliechalk]

Fair enough, well I'll be talking to the guys who are doing my seat/harness bar about it early next year so I will post up what I can find here