When Is It Time to Upgrade Your Car Suspension?

Does going over a speed bump make you feel like your car’s a bucking bronco? Or is every joyride a rough ride, no matter how smooth the road is? Then it’s likely time to take a look at your car’s Suspension system and consider replacing the shocks and/or struts.

With time your car’s suspension system takes a huge toll especially when driving over potholes and rough patches. Any damage to the car’s suspension system can affect its handling, comfort, and performance. Upgrading your car’s suspension system can be the ideal solution to all these concerns. This blog post will feature everything that you need to know about upgrading your vehicle’s suspension system ranging from how they work, DIY Vs professional installation, and more. If you plan to upgrade your car’s suspension system and are unsure where to start, read on.

4 Signs Your Car’s Suspension Needs An Upgrade Are:

1. Bumpy, Rough Ride

When you hit a bump in the road, do you feel like you could lose control of the vehicle? Does your vehicle bounce more than once or twice? A rough, bumpy ride is one of the easiest symptoms to notice.

2. Leaking Fluid

Leaked fluid on the exterior of the shocks/struts is a sign that something is wrong. If the shock absorbers do not have enough hydraulic fluid, they won’t be able to absorb impacts as you drive.

If you’re not sure whether the liquid on your suspension is coming from the shocks or is an old fluid leak from somewhere else, wipe it off and then check it again after you’ve driven at least a few miles.

3. Uneven Treadwear

Cupping—scalloped, wavy dips on the tire tread—is a tell-tale sign of worn shocks and struts. It is caused by the tires not being held firmly to the road as you drive. Cupping shortens the usable life of your tires and diminishes handling and stopping power.

4. Instability When Braking or Turning

Does your car nosedive when you hit the brakes? Or sway on turns? This means that your shocks and struts aren’t able to handle the changes to the vehicle’s weight distribution. It may also take longer to stop when your suspension is bad, which is never a good thing.

If your car is older and the suspension has never been replaced, it’s worth considering an upgrade to improve safety and performance. Consulting with a professional mechanic can help you identify the right type of upgrade for your specific needs and budget.

Why Should I Upgrade My Suspension?

Suspension upgrades are a great way to improve the performance and safety of your car. Whether you’re looking to increase your car’s handling, reduce body roll, or just improve your car’s overall ride quality, upgrading your car’s suspension can do the trick. Making the decision to upgrade your car’s suspension can be a daunting one, but the benefits of an upgraded suspension system far outweigh the cost and effort. Here are just a few of the benefits to aftermarket suspension.

4 Benefits of Upgrading to Aftermarket Suspension Are:

1. Improved Handling

One of the most obvious benefits of upgrading your car’s suspension is improved handling. Upgrading to aftermarket suspension can improve your car’s ability to corner and turn, as well as lower the center of gravity and reduce body roll. This improved handling will also help you stay in control in adverse driving conditions or when driving at higher speeds.

2. Reduced Wear and Tear

Another benefit of upgrading your car’s suspension is reduced wear and tear. A good suspension system will help keep your car’s tires in contact with the road, which in turn reduces the wear and tear on your car’s tires and suspension components. This will help to extend the life of your car’s tires and suspension components and help to keep your car running smoother for longer.

3. Improved Safety

The improved handling and reduced wear and tear on your car’s tires and suspension components also help to improve your car’s overall safety. A good suspension system will help keep your car stable and in control of adverse driving conditions, which can help to prevent accidents and other dangerous incidents.

4. Increased Comfort

Upgrading your car’s suspension can also help to increase your comfort while driving. A good suspension system will help to absorb bumps and uneven roads, which can help to make your ride smoother and more enjoyable.

As you can see, there are many benefits to upgrading your car’s suspension in Evanston. From improved handling and reduced wear and tear, to improved safety and increased comfort, upgrading your car’s suspension can make a big difference in your car’s performance and safety. If you’re looking to upgrade your car’s suspension, be sure to contact a reputable suspension specialist in Evanston to ensure that you get the best results.

What Is The Difference Between Lowing Springs and Coilovers?

When it comes to suspension upgrades, it can be a little confusing knowing what is best for you and your car. Although budget will ultimately guide you towards a certain bracket of upgrade, there is a wide variety of different options available which could surprise you in terms of performance and value.

We break down all you need to know about suspension and give you the options that will take your driving experience to the next level.

What Are Lowering Springs?

In this case, the name says it all. Lowering springs replace your stock coil springs in the stock location. Pull one Spring out, put the other spring in. This will lower your car a fixed distance. You’ll usually see a number tied to it, such as “2 inch lowering springs.” That means they’re designed to drop your car by 2 inches. No more, no less.

All this is to say, there is no adjustment or range. Your car sits where it sits. The height is determined entirely by the height and rate of springs that sit in fixed locations. You can’t move them up or down.

Click To Shop All Lowering Springs Right Here. 

What Are Coilovers?

A coilover, AKA a coilover shock, is also what it sounds like. A coil spring slides over the shock and rests on a spring perch that is threaded onto the shock’s body. A cap then holds the spring in place. You can move that spring perch up or down the shock to adjust your ride height. The higher your spring, the higher your ride height and vice versa.

Coilovers are a great suspension mod that offers many benefits with few downsides. But lowering springs offer a less expensive alternative for people wanting to lower their car.

Coilovers excel in the stability they provide through tight corners, even at high speeds. They also offer more adjustable features than lowering springs.

Click To Shop All Coilovers Right Here.

With that being said, one my go-to brand for the sprigs are KW Suspension. They Offer the H.A.S (Height Adjustable Spring) kit  for various cars. You can retain your factory equipped electrically adjustable dampers with a stepless and discreet lowering. Just like a KW coilover suspension, their coilover springs allow you to lower the suspension directly on your standard suspension.

Check to See If the KW H.A.S. Kit Is Available for Your Vehicle Here

If you would like to learn more about the differences between lowering springs and coilovers, we break down all you need to know about suspension and give you the options that will take your driving experience to the next level. Check out our article on Lowering Springs vs Coilovers: What’s Right for Your Car?

Should You Expect “Track Performance” From Upgrading Your Suspension?

Let’s face it, height-adjustable coilovers earn you street cred. Any serious car enthusiast has a set they’ve fine-tuned for a perfect ride height and adjusts the dampers to and from the grocery store. Or maybe…they’re overhyped, over-complicated, and unnecessary for most drivers. Which is it?

Lots of bells and whistles means lots of tuning potential if you know what you’re doing. But while adjustable coilovers do have some advantages, they’re not always an upgrade. 

4 Things to Consider When Adjusting Aftermarket Suspension Are:

1. Height Adjustability

The big selling point for most people is the ability to set your own ride height. Height adjustability is useful for a racecar to lower the center of gravity, adjust the rake (nose up/down) of the car, and corner balance the chassis. Keep in mind that coilovers have limits and proper set up is crucial. The car may not handle better if you lower too far without looking at the full system.

If you want to lower your car significantly, either for looks or performance, coilovers are a better choice than lowering springs.

2. Suspension Travel at Low Ride Heights

Factory suspensions are limited in how much you can lower the car with springs while still being functional.

Coilover bodies are usually designed to sit lower with a different operating range than factory suspensions. Again, proper set up is crucial to ensure adequate bump and droop travel.

Some coilovers do not have much total suspension travel. This can be due to poor or lazy design, or sometimes they’re designed for stiff springs and a smooth racetrack. Be advised.

3. Standardized Coilover Springs

The ability to use easily available and standardized coilover springs opens up lots of tuning potential. Conventional fixed perch dampers require springs that are specially designed for your car. Options are limited.

Coilover springs come in a huge variety of spring rates and lengths. In some ways, a coilover provides a platform for a user to build on. Switching to stickier tires? Swap in stiffer springs. Adding serious aerodynamics? Ditto. However, it does take work to ensure they’ll fit and match your set up.

Functional lowering springs and coilovers can both perform well on track. A more focused track car will benefit from the adjustability of coilovers, but requires careful set up.

4. Damping

There’s actually no inherent damping advantage to coilovers. The dampers in some aftermarket coilovers are worse than your factory shocks. Fancy colors, catchy marketing, and the perfect ride height doesn’t do you much good if the dampers are garbage.

Also, any damper can be adjustable, but as we’ve talked about before, shock valving is more complicated than “soft” or “stiff.” Height-adjustable coilovers can have excellent valving. But when it’s bad, all the other features aren’t enough to make it a good system.

If you want to improve performance but keep things simple, quality fixed perch struts with a functional lowering spring make a lot of sense. A good example are the HKS Hypermax line. Their latest careation is the Hipermax R coilovers. We recently put them on our Nissan Z (RZ34), our project car. From the struts and the springs, everything about their coilovers screams perfection. HKS really invested time in R&D and created a master piece. Quality coilovers can be more expensive and require careful set up, but are a good choice for those that want to fine tune their suspension.

Check to See If the HKS Hipermax R Is Available for Your Vehicle Here

For those who is interested in our Youtube video, check out the video on the HKS Hipermax R coilovers!

If you’re looking at purchasing some lowering springs, coilovers, or even an air suspension system for your car, please do not hesitate to contact us. We can be reached by phone at 1.480.966.3040 or via email at [email protected].