Am i right in thinking that on a UK car having the handbrake on very lightly (ie 1 click or whatever is required to make the light come on on the dash) stiffens the rear shocks?

Am i also right in thinking american and possibly jap cars have a button for this instead?

 

So thus the next question is can anyone see any problems with me installing a switch to pretend the handbrake is lightly pulled.

I was thinking of putting it on the right hand console where the light diming button is.

 

Any thoughts?

 

Just seems really lame with the.. "Oh im just gunna pull the handbrake up a bit to make my suspension better!"

 

Thanks

 

Rob:)

Rob,

 

I've never seen any circuit diagrams or true evidence but I think that the common opinion is that the handbrake trick is basically a self test and that the ECU somehow knows when to harden things up.

 

Can't see any reason why you couldn't wire up a switch. However, it only adjusts the rears so if you assume that the car is balanced to perfection by Nissan then it may not be a great thing to alter the rears only.

 

But I've never really understood this feature so would happily stand corrected by someone in the know.

 

Dave

I've changed my uk stock rears for stock replacements and seen it for myself. I played with the actuators too. They turn a 1/4 turn that turns a blade down the shaft of the Tokico shocker and stiffens up the valving. If you are driving on a bumpy road the effect is easily felt. It really stiffens up the rear. I think that this might be used to lessen understeer on the track if you find that a problem. Though never tried it myself. I find the stock settings plenty stiff anyway with 18" wheels - the smaller tyre sidewalls already sacrifice some ride comfort.

 

The switch on US ones was down by the handbrake - probably convenient for tapping into the handbrake warning lamp circuit to switch it manually but I dont know how you would stop the warning lamp coming on.

 

The section on the rear shocks in the manual shows the diagram but afaik only the diagnosis circuit - handbrake light on = stiff. I've also no idea if or how the ecu ever decides to stiffen it. It would seem a good idea when you are accelerating hard to stop squat or at v high speed though.

Willie