Most stock vehicles have a limited amount of adjustment in the suspension system. This might be to adjust the toe in/out, and slight adjustments to the camber/caster. For the most part, though, you set it and forget it when it’s your daily driver. Adjustable suspension comes in handy when you have a high-performance car and want to adjust the suspension for track conditions. You can even adjust the suspension from a more street-friendly setting to more of a race setting.
Adjustable Ride Height:
A lower ride height can dramatically enhance a vehicle’s looks and performance. Lowering a car’s center of gravity improves its handling and aerodynamics, making it more agile and efficient. However, navigating everyday obstacles like speed bumps and potholes can be challenging for lowered vehicles. This is where adjustable ride height systems, such as coilovers and air suspension, come into play.
Coilover Systems:
Coilovers are a popular choice for adjustable ride height. They consist of a shock absorber and a coil spring assembled into a single unit, with a threaded body that allows for the adjustment of the spring’s preload, which in turn changes the vehicle’s ride height. By turning the adjustment collar on the coilover, you can easily raise or lower the car and fine-tune the suspension for optimal weight distribution and performance. We carry a full line of coilovers for your ride to give you that killer stance and performance.
Comparing Coilovers and Air Suspension:
Both systems have their advantages. Coilovers are known for their reliability and simplicity, making them a popular choice for dual-purpose vehicles that see both street and track use. However, adjusting ride height on coilovers requires manual effort. Air suspension, while offering easier height adjustments, are more complex and can be less reliable due to the additional components and potential for leaks or malfunctions.
Adjustable shocks and coilovers improve a vehicle’s performance by allowing adjustments to shock compression and rebound settings. This is important for dialing in the perfect setup for various driving conditions.
Single and Double-Adjustable Shocks:
Single-adjustable shocks allow for the adjustment of either compression or rebound. Double-adjustable shocks, on the other hand, offer separate adjustments for both, providing greater control over the vehicle’s handling characteristics. These adjustments can be made via knobs that click into place, ensuring consistent settings across the vehicle.
The suspension pickup points, where components like control arms and axles attach to the chassis, play a major role in defining a vehicle’s suspension geometry. Altering these points can significantly affect the handling of the car, influencing factors such as roll center and center of gravity.
Impact of Suspension Geometry:
Adjusting the pickup points can improve handling but must be done with caution to avoid adverse effects like bump steer or unpredictable behavior. For significant modifications, it’s often best to use engineered systems, which are designed to improve performance while maintaining safety and reliability.
Sway bars, or anti-roll bars, help reduce body roll during cornering by linking the suspension on either side of the vehicle. Adjusting sway bars involves selecting the appropriate stiffness to complement the rest of the suspension setup and the driving conditions.
Adjustable Sway Bars:
Many sway bars come with adjustable end links that allow for fine-tuning of the suspension. This adjustability allows the driver to fine-tune the suspension and how it reacts, especially in high-performance driving scenarios.
When tuning an adjustable suspension, understanding the fundamental principles of suspension geometry is essential. Concepts such as roll center, instant center, and anti-squat are critical for setting up a suspension that provides both stability and performance.
Independent Front Suspension Tuning:
Independent suspensions, which allow each wheel to move independently, provide superior handling characteristics compared to solid axles. Adjustments can be made to control arms and pivot points to optimize the suspension for different driving conditions.
Live Axle Adjustments:
For vehicles with a solid rear axle, adjusting the suspension often involves modifying the angle and positioning of the control arms to influence weight transfer during acceleration and braking. Systems like 4-link suspensions allow for significant adjustability, making them popular in drag racing and other high-performance applications.
Adjustable suspension systems provide incredible flexibility for tuning a vehicle’s performance. Whether you’re setting up a car for the track or fine-tuning a hot rod for street cruising, understanding the mechanics and principles behind adjustable suspensions is crucial. With the right components and knowledge, you can significantly enhance your car’s handling, performance, and overall driving experience.
If you need any help adjusting your suspension, hop on SS396.com or give our friendly techs a call at (203) 235-1200!
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