Suspension

[David BenneyParticipant @davidbenney14701]

Hi, I have a 5" Dolgoch loco which has some issues, first one being ride height, she seems to ride quite low and the lubricators on the eccentric's foul the underside of the boiler, i have fitted new springs and gained some clearance but know the loco feels soft.

Does anyone know how the suspension should be ? I'm not sure if the springs should be fully compressed by the weight of the loco, so that when a wheel drops the springs can extend or should the springs support the weight so the axle wheel can move up and down ?

[David BenneyParticipant @davidbenney14701]

[Jon LawesParticipant @jonlawes51698]

I'd be tempted to look at how far up or down their full travel the hornblocks are sitting with a representative level of water in the boiler (say two thirds up the glass?). If they are sat pretty much in the middle of their travel then its probably about right.

I don't know if that's the correct technique, but it makes sense to me. Of course it's more than just spring rate that sets the ride height, there could have been an error in the construction or design.

[Author]

Posts