How To Improve Your Car’s Suspension

In the last couple of columns, we’ve explored the suspension system of your car. We’ve looked at the springs and shocks, including different types and the reasons why they’re used. The entire system is comprised of parts that sustain wear and tear over time. Even if you’re not driving aggressively, those parts will slowly lose their ability to perform. A normal daily commute to your job can lead to bottoming out on potholes and other issues within 5 or 6 years.

In this article, I’ll explain how you can improve your car’s suspension system. I’ll describe the shocks, springs, and other components that can be replaced, or upgraded, to deliver a smoother driving experience.

Replacing Shocks And Springs

For most drivers, namely those who commute to and from the office 5 days a week, replacing the shocks and springs will significantly improve the ride. As you know from previous columns, there are different types of each. Depending upon how you use your vehicle, you should consider swapping the existing shocks and springs with OEM replacements.

For example, if you’re going to be hauling a trailer, install springs that offer more resistance. That will boost their leveling effect to compensate for the increased weight from the trailer.

If your budget allows, consider investing in air shocks. They can be adjusted to compensate for extra weight when needed. So, if you’re planning to haul a trailer on the weekends (for example, on a weekend road trip), but don’t intend to do so during the week, air shocks can offer the flexibility you need.

Other Car Parts To Replace

For motorists who are searching for more control in their suspension systems, the anti-roll bars can be replaced with an aftermarket kit. One of the main purposes of the anti-roll bars is to allocate the vehicle’s weight more evenly during turns. If your car doesn’t already have them, installing the bars can have a dramatic effect.

If you’d like to give your vehicle more stability in the front, you can have strut tower braces installed. You’ll be able to tell the difference in the front-end suspension immediately. Just be aware that the unit you have installed must be designed for your particular make and model.

Proceed With Caution

A couple quick notes of caution. First, your car’s suspension is delicate. It’s a finely tuned system that has been carefully calibrated by the manufacturer’s engineers. It is possible to undo a lot of hard work by tinkering aimlessly. If you don’t know precisely what you’re doing, let your mechanic handle it for you. Second, in nearly every case, you should have your mechanic replace the springs rather than doing so yourself. It’s dangerous. He’s trained to do it safely.

Even though it’s possible to drive with a bad suspension (and even get used to the rough ride), a couple of OEM replacements can make your driving experience far more comfortable.

Tags: Car Maintenance, Car Repair, Car Suspension

This entry was posted on Thursday, February 2nd, 2012 at 12:01 am and is filed under Cars. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.