[schcott]

Im just curious, what exactly is valving? Is it just how much pressure the shock needs to compress? Ive used the search function,but havent acctually seen the definition for it *or have missed it*....thx

 

[xenofuhrman]

The best way I can describe it is with a picture.

http://www.racetech.com/images/goldvalvepage3L.jpg

You can see the piston attached to the shock rod in the cutaway of the black shock body. There are also two of the same pistons standing upright by the red shock bumper. This piston is where the oil passes through.

Valving is the control of how fast/slow the oil can pass through these holes - which controls how fast the shock can compress/decompress. You can control this by stacking many of the thin washers you see in the pic in different ways on either side of the piston.

 

[konfuzed]

Thanks. I've always understood what it was doing, but that's the best description/picture combo I've seen and it helps clarify that mental image of what you're talking about, especially when you don't deal with shocks all day

 

[Tankota]

As the piston moves inside the shock body, the fluid flows through the piston first using the slow-speed bleed holes drilled into the piston body. As the speed and pressure increases, the discs are forced open and the fluid is free to flow through slots cast into the piston and the flow is increased. The thickness of the disc, as well as the number and diameter, all help determine the exact amount of resistance to compression and rebound.​

 

[schcott]

ok, i see...thx *especially for the pics* now i understand....i appreciate the responces

 

[seth_js]

So what does valving do (one way or the other) for the ride? Make it smoother/stiffer? If that's the case, I'd be interested in revalving my front shocks to soften the ride a little.

 

[Tankota]

So what does valving do (one way or the other) for the ride? Make it smoother/stiffer? If that's the case, I'd be interested in revalving my front shocks to soften the ride a little.

Yes - valving, in addition to spring rate, control how the truck rides, and how controlable it is, and how it handles on curves, bumps, etc. It controls how fast or slow the suspension reacts and returns to a neutral state after any action placed on it. Think of it as brakes for yous suspension, it's stopping the movement, both up and down. The stiffer the valving, the harder the shocks "step on the brake" and stop or slow the movement up and down of the suspension. Usualy it's diffrent brake rates for up or down, and depends on the spring and what type of ride and driving you do.

Softer springs, less valving = softer ride, less control.
Stiffer springs and more valving = stiffer ride, more control.