suspension questions

what exactly does it mean for a shock to be 'shot'? i know it's gone to crap, but what are the specifics?

i read a book that said a lower spring rate is better? i thought a higher rate would be better? why is lower better?

A "blown" shock is basically defined as one which is leaking fluid, and the hydrolic fluid level and purity is what determines the shock's damping rates and ability. Additionally some shocks are not gas charged, so a "shot" shock could be in reference to aerated fluid, in which bubles and foam form within the fluid which reduce it's damping rate and ability (hydrolic dampers work because the fluid is not easily compressed, whereas air and aerated fluid is).


Optimal spring rate is dependent upon many factors, including such subjectives as driver preference. There is no "catch all" rate which works in every application or with every driver, which is why it's so damn hard to please a large group of people with one suspension setup. Generally the manufacturers aim towards a compliant suspension which gives up the minimum in terms of performance, but it depends upon the vehicle and intended use as to how well this works out for the end user. The simple truth is that any book claiming to know whether spring rates should be increased or decreased for best performance in whatever application is incredibly shortsighted. Now spring rate is incredibly important as a base function of suspension design, but before we get into that, what do you know about why suspensions exist at all?