Adjusting Tein Flex Z's

[JGalp]

Hey guys, i recently had a little conversation with another forum member about adjusting the dampners on the flex Z, heres what he said,


The only thing that kinda tricky is what to count as 1 click counterclockwise. When you go all the way to the right, sometimes it kinda goes 1/4 to 1/2 past 0. So when I start going counterclockwise, there's an initial click. I usually count that as 0. Then I rotate counterclockwise some more and start counting. But to be honest, I can't feel the difference btw 1 click. So 4 or 5 feels about the same to me. I do feel it btw say 4 and 6. Lately I've been riding around at 4. I feel like everything has gotten softer since I got them about a year ago.

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So when going to full stiffness and it kinda goes 1/4 click past 0, when you guys turn it back counterclockwise do you guys count the click when adjusting? im currently on 3 but i think I'm going to adjust it to all four corners being on 4 or 5, want it a little bit softer. just wanted to see if everyone else was encountering the same "clickage"

[swarb]

1/4 turn isnt a full click so don't count it.
Some people start the count(full stiff) at 1 some at 0.
Most people describe their adjustment from full stiff.
"16 clicks out" which would be the 17th position.

[JGalp]

from my understanding, 0 clicks is full stiff, i think either west end alignment or CSG told me this, but don't quote me on it

[shiumai]

I know what you mean, it's a bit vague sometimes. i always start from full stiff and count the clicks from there. if it's too vague, i'll do it again. i don't count the first click from 0 if it's really weak.

[JGalp]

same here. i probably spent ten minutes adjusting the fronts alone because of how vague that first half click is, i thought i was going crazy. i just didn't want to have uneven suspension like 3/4 in front and 4/3 in back. haha

[finch1750]

I had the same problem on my Feal 441. Took a minute or two to get the feel of it is all

[djliquidsteele]

Don't over think it. You will never, and I mean never go to 16 clicks open unless you got them revalved and/or got a different spring rate. I turn it right all the way. Thats full stiff. Then I turn left about 1/4 turn until I feel a solid click. Thats my starting point. As you turn, you will feel a soft thump and a solid click. I only count the solid clicks. I started out at 5 clicks up front and 6 clicks in the rear. I would drive it for a couple weeks. Go one more click soft on each. Drive it for a couple weeks. One more click soft. For my driving and my route, I found the factory recommended 7 clicks front and 8 click rear is perfect for me. Everything feels like butter.

You have to remember that the adjustments are affecting mostly rebound damping and not compression damping. So the closer you get to full right, the slower the shock is going to return to its natural state after its compressed. Your shocks, ideally, will go one full cycle after a bump. Think full sin wave of compression and rebound. It gets tricky when you have multiple bumps, but I am speaking generally.

FYI, most of my knowledge stems from MTB shocks, so take it for what its worth. But I do think for a simple shock such as the Flex Z, the concepts are the same. Hope this helps.