Optimization of the characteristic spring curve of a spring-damper assembly for a vehicle suspension

The method involves removing the carrying spring from the spring-damper unit. The spring is mounted in a test machine at the same angle as in the vehicle, the spring displacement is measured to determine the transverse force, a corresponding spring characteristic is derived, a desired characteristic determined, a new spring is made with the desired characteristic and the procedure is repeated. The method involves applying a stroke to the relevant vehicle wheel, measuring the transverse force acting on the piston rod guide element, producing a corresponding spring characteristic and, if the characteristic deviates from a desired one to a defined extent, removing the carrying spring (9) from the spring-damper unit. The spring is mounted in a test machine (18) at the same angle as in the vehicle, the spring displacement (SD,Pruef,ist) is measured to determine the transverse force (FQ, Pruef,ist), a corresponding spring characteristic is derived, a desired characteristic determined, a new spring is made with the desired characteristic and the procedure is repeated. AN Independent claim is also included for the following: (a) a measurement element for measuring the transverse force in as cylinder-piston unit, especially a telescopic shock damper.