Droop, Stroke & Shock Limiters

Droop measures how far down the car’s suspension arms are able to travel, or specifically the difference between the car’s natural ride height and its maximum ride height when the wheels just lose contact with the ground.  On some setup sheets, it is measured as the distance between the center of the shock’s two mounting screws.

Droop is usually changed via internal shock limiters or on some cars via specific droop/downtravel/downstop limiters.  

Droop allows or limits the weight transfer from one side of the car to the other.

Less droop

• Faster steering response
• Fewer traction rolls
• Generally suitable for smooth tracks

More droop

• Slower steering response
• Better handling over bumps
• Better jump landings

Less front droop

• Less weight transfer to the rear during acceleration
• Less on-power steering
• More high-speed steering stability

More front droop

• More weight transfer to the rear during acceleration
• More on-power steering
• Less high-speed steering stability

Less rear droop

• Less weight transfer to front during braking
• Less stability over bumps
• More stability under braking

More rear droop

• More weight transfer to front during braking
• Better handling over bumps
• Less stability under braking
  

Stroke measures the distance between full compression of the shock and full extension.  Stroke can be changed via internal limiters (downtravel) or external limiters (uptravel.)  

Changes to the car’s ride height will also change its droop if no other adjustments are made.