If you are in a position where you need to look at replacing your shocks, springs or suspension system, then you are likely looking around online simply trying to define a starting point. Most people are not necessarily well-versed when it comes to these parts of vehicles, and most consumers are not familiar with manufacturers that have earned a brand that is renowned across the globe by people who spend significant amounts of time in the automotive industry.
If you own a vehicle, chances are you have a basic understanding of what’s involved with the responsible upkeep of that car, truck or SUV. Properly maintaining a vehicle may involve spending some time and money now, but doing so can and often will extend the life of that vehicle. That’s certainly a better position to be in as opposed to suddenly having to purchase a new car because you ran the old one into the ground before it would have otherwise given out.
When people find out that they’re going to have a baby, they tend to become overwhelmed with all that needs to be done in order to properly prepare for this momentous event. The first thing that someone could do is realize that this is not just an event, but also the beginning of a long and incredibly rewarding process. There is nothing like having a child, and there is nothing that should not be considered in terms of making sure that the baby enters the world with not only tremendous amounts of love, but also with the utmost in safety precautions.
We are about to come across the time of year when people all over the United States decide to embark on long road trips. While it’s always exciting to plan these types of excursions, it’s also a process that involves many different details that must be accounted for in order for any trip to go as well as possible. One of these steps should involve making sure that the vehicle that’s going to be used is in proper condition for a long drive. While oil changes, tune-ups and perhaps a change in the tires are all good steps to take, there are often aspects of a vehicle that are overlooked.
When people realize that they need to replace their shocks, springs or overall suspension systems, they generally are not sure of where to go for help dealing with this need. That’s because most people are not automotive professionals and they quite honestly do not look forward to handling this type of a task. It can be stressful for anyone who is unfamiliar with this process because they may be unfamiliar with not only where to start, but what the process involves and what it could cost.
As we move into the winter months, all of us around the United States are beginning to encounter different driving environments that are changing because of the weather conditions that tend to come around at this time of the year. Whether we live in warm or cold climates, we all need to be ready to deal with roads that will be slippery, darkness that sets in earlier and unpredictable weather that can make any drive a challenge. In short, we need to be ready for anything, and that starts with our vehicles.
As we move into the winter months, we are all going to have to deal with driving conditions that are more difficult than those that we tend to face during the summer. People who live in the north and in the east will be dealing with snow and ice, and people almost everywhere else will be dealing with the nearly constant threat of rain. Any of these inclement conditions can and will lead to extremely slippery roads, and many people do not realize the importance of shocks and springs with regards to these conditions.
Shock absorbers, more commonly termed shocks, are the parts of a car that help create a smoother ride for the vehicle. When a vehicle is riding down the road there are often bumps that it will come in contact with. Shock absorbers allow the vehicle to smoothly travel over these bumps without there being a rough force applied to the vehicle. In a sense, the shock absorbers work as springs that allow the tires of the vehicle to move freely with the bumps while the vehicle essentially remains unaffected by the bumps, and thus remains still.
Koni is a major world wide manufacturer of shock absorbers for a variety of different automobiles. They make shock absorbers for cars, buses, trucks, trailers and more. They are a supporting company of the ITT Corporation. Koni also plays a major role in the world of motor sports. They supply shock absorbers for many different racing vehicles, several of which have won championships.
Q. What brand should I get?
A. We sell all the quality brands so that ultimately leaves the choice to you. Our goal is to provide enough information for you to choose the optimum performing suspension parts for your driving needs. In general, you get what you pay for. On shocks/struts, the ability to adjust damping (stiffness) or ride height comes with a substantial additional price and you have to decide if you’ll be taking advantage of these features. On springs, lowering effects vary and you pay a little more for a progressive spring rate that gets stiffer as the suspension is compressed further.
Q. How far can I lower my car?
A. Most cars it’s 30mm to 50mm.(One to two inches). We only sell the most reputable manufacturers to ensure safe, reliable products that won’t damage other suspension components. Some manufacturers have listings for "race" springs which may be lower, harsher riding, and harder on the vehicles other components.
Q. Do I need camber kits if I lower my car?
A. Whenever you lower a car with shorter springs, it creates negative camber. This has some benefits for handling but can cause the tires to wear more towards the inside instead of right down the middle. Many cars do not have enough adjustment to return the camber to original factory specifications. On most cars, if the lowering effect is 25mm to 35mm, and you keep the tires well rotated, you should get the full life expectancy of the tires even with the negative camber. Otherwise camber adjustment kits can be purchased for many applications that make it possible to adjust the camber closer to the original specifications.