HKS Hipermax S - Damping Force Adjustment

[Clipdat]

I have these: https://www.kamispeed.com/products/h...39561118089270

From the manual regarding damping adjustment:

Damping Force Adjustment

● The damping force dial has 30 steps. Tighten in the clockwise direction to the end, and return until it clicks; where is the 0 step position. Over-tightening may damage the internal parts and disable the adjustment function.
● Do not return more than 30 steps; it may damage the internal parts.
● Adjust the dial position to the same on the left and right sides. If not, it may adversely affect handling

Also later on in the manual it says it in a little different wording, shown in the screenshot.

I'm simply wondering if it is always required to turn the adjustment knob fully clockwise to the full stiff setting every single time you want to make an adjustment to the damping.

I get that HKS' instructions are likely for making the initial adjustment (or if you forget what it's set at), but what about subsequent adjustments?

Can I simply reach under the car and adjust the front shock's lower adjustment knob two clicks clockwise to make it stiffer before a drive? And then after the drive, reach back under and go two clicks counter-clockwise to make it softer again?

Or, does it really require what I suppose would amount to resetting the valve every time and then leaving the adjustment knob alone once you "land" on your setting?

Is the behavior manufacturer/valve specific?

For example, Tein's instructions are worded similarly, but they also offer the EDFC, which adjusts the adjustment knobs in realtime while the car is driving, as shown here (at 1:56):

So, that would make me think that you definitely don't need to go full stiff and back off from there if you just want to make a small adjustment before a drive and then revert back.

Suspension gurus, looking forward to discussing this. Thanks for reading.

[EndlessAzure]

It doesn't matter if you go back to to the initial setting every time.


They tell you to go in a specific direction/to a prescribed setting because there is a hard stop on the adjustment that is within the operating range. This hard stop is apparent and you cannot continue turning the knob in that direction unless you FORCE it. In the event that you forget where the coilover was set at or miscount, you have a known & valid setting that you can refer to.

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The converse is not always true.

For example, the Tein Flex A system has a similar "go to full stiff" reference. As you soften the damper, you can actually spin the adjustment dial past max soft (16 clicks) and it will continue going, not providing any additional feedback or resistance. However, this means you're setting the shock softer than the coilover is meant to run, which leads to risk of damaging the coilover (slamming on bumpstop or overstroke) while you drive on it

[Clipdat]

Thanks so much for your quick response and insight, appreciate it!

[Clipdat]

HKS Japan got back to me super quickly and confirmed the same:

"Dear Clipdat,

Thank you for reaching out HKS.

Also, thank you for using our products properly.


Yes, as you mentioned, it is ideal to adjust damping force turn to clockwise all the way and then turn counter clockwise till your desired level.

This is only advocated to avoid breaking the damping adjustment mechanism by turning it beyond the adjustable range.

Therefore, if you can remember and adjust the adjustment range by yourself, there is no problem to adjust only the number of steps necessary for the scene.

Again, be careful not to break the mechanism, as it will continue to rotate even if the adjustment range is loosened until it reaches the end of the adjustment range.


Best regards,

HKS Co., Ltd."