Originally Posted by
gguertin145
Ok so I am just trying to learn so please forgive any ignorance.
Why does it matter so much on travel inside the shock that we use limiters but it doesn't matter how long the rod ends are on the outside of the shock? I must just misunderstand how this works? I thought the limiters to prevent how far the shock can travel? So why allow the a-arms to travel that far anyway by having longer rod lengths?
Limiters or turns of the shock end are both ways of adjusting the down travel of the shock. The total length does effect handling. Limiters are set when you build the shock. Turning the shock end is a quick and easy way of "adding or subtracting" a limiter without tearing the shock down.
swiped from
http://users.telenet.be/elvo/
Internal Travel Limiters / Droop / Downtravel
More
(less droop/downtravel)
The car changes direction faster, and corners flatter. It feels generally more responsive.
Adding a lot of travel limiters is only advisable on smooth tracks.
Less
(more droop/downtravel)
Less internal shock spacers give better handling on bumpy tracks, and more and more consistent traction on difficult tracks.
The car also land better after jumps.
The end with the least downtravel will feel the most stable, and the most direct. But try to keep a balance (front and rear end droop about the same), especially on low-grip tracks.
Adding more internal travel limiters is a very effective way of reducing traction rolls, if not the most effective way.