Over the years both on and off the track, we have found that no 2 setups react quite the same way on any two cars. It is important to be able to identify what your car is doing (in terms of handling) how to interpret it, and what to do to make the necessary adjustments! We have compiled a little chart here based on feedback from our team drivers, technicians, and our clients. None of these are concrete rules, but may be just enough to provide a starting point for those of you who are having a little trouble personalizing your DMS setup.

Symptoms will be very similar whether dealing with 40mm or 50mm. The height of the car can stiffen or soften the feeling of the car as a result of too much, or not enough preload on the springs, so pay attention to that as well. Other components such as larger or smaller swaybars, wheel alignment, type of bushings throughout the chassis, brake setups as well as lockup on LSD differentials can all affect how the automobile will react.

DMS 40mm adjust rebound at the same time as the bump so the 30 clicks of bump each provide an internally matched rebound setting. The 50mm strut has a separate adjustment with 20 clicks of bump and 4 clicks of rebound.

You will notice that your DMS adjustment tool shows the direction in order to make the suspension harder or softer. It is important not to force this adjustment or turn it outside the number of positions available. To set bump you normally adjust the suspension to the full hard position 20 or 30 clicks depending on your model then count back the number of clicks toward full soft.

Rebound on the DMS 50's is accomplished by turning the adjuster through the 4 positions available. It is important to turn it only in the specified direction. A rebound settings of 0 is fastest, in other words the strut will offer the least resistance. 3 is the slowest setting and it takes the strut longest to return to its normal position after being compressed.

We hope that these little guidelines will help solve some heartache, and if any other questions or info is required whether technical, maintenance or service, please do not hesitate to contact myself or the rest of the staff here at Lachute Subaru.

Talk fast, and drive HARD

Mark