Its two different ratings. Spring load is the amount of weight it
takes to compress the spring to a given height. Spring rate is
the amount of weight it takes to compress a spring a certain amount, for
1-1 springs this is measured in lbs-in. I have no idea about the ratings
that RC manufactures use since they seem to be all over the board.
In other words a spring will sag or take a set over time, but the
actual spring rate remains the same, its only the load rating that
has changed.
Of course some springs require so much preload to get the desired
ride height that its pretty much mandatory to replace them if they
sag. This may very well be what Drake is talking about.
So in other words the answer to the original question would be
yes and no. If the sag is causing ride height problems then yes
they would be considered worn out. No in the sense of them
becoming softer or losing there spring rate.
Last edited by JsK; 06-08-2010 at 02:35 AM.
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