Performance Suspension Components

Performance suspension components are a beneficial add-on for any vehicle that is used in extreme conditions such as track racing, rallies or even street racing. These components greatly improve your car’s handling and ensure the safety of your life and that of others around you. There are various components that you can add to improve the performance of your car’s suspension.

Shock Absorbers and Springs

Shock absorbers absorb the effects of rough terrain and uneven tracks and prevent it to be transmitted to the car’s body. Performance shock absorbers comprise of high quality seals and suppressing mechanisms that allow for more absorption of shocks, thus improving handling. Performance springs tend to make the ride stiff and help reduce unwanted suspension movements to ensure that your car handles the way you want it to.

Coilovers

Coilovers are a recent development and are a replacement of shock absorbers and springs. They consist of a single coilover that has a shock absorber and spring built into one unit. It allows for adjustments that can modify the car’s height as well as its suspension response by changing the tension in the springs.

Sway Bars, Torsion Bars and Strut Bars

Sway bars and torsion bars are add-on components that improve a car’s handling by reducing unwanted body roll. They fit in the undercarriage of the car and help the car to remain glued to the tarmac when cornering at high speeds. Strut bars are used to avoid unnecessary strut and suspension movement by securing both the strut mounting locations, thus improving handling in rough terrains and tight corners.

Track Control Arms

Track control arms are used to prevent unnecessary wheel hub movements. They are installed with one end secured to the chassis and the other to the car’s main wheel ball joint. They contribute to a better driving experience by improving cornering and traction.

Performance suspension components add the required reliability and safety to your ride to make it perform up to your expectations, and are an important add-on for any person who wishes to enhance his or her car.

How to Fit Top Mounts on Your Own

Top mounts are car suspension components that secure the struts or the shock absorber assembly of the car and prevent them from abnormal movements. If the top mounts of the car are damaged or worn out, this will result in abnormal suspension movement that can cause driving problems as well as unwanted noises. The top mounts are located above the shock absorbers or coilovers, and require periodic maintenance. If you have the right set of tools, you can fit top mounts by yourself.

To fit top mounts by yourself, you will need the following:

• New top mounts and bearings
• 22 mm or 24 mm socket wrench (depends upon car make and model)
• 18 mm wrench for undoing securing bolts
• Spring compressor
• Lug wrench
• Jack and stand

Now that you have everything you need, follow these simple steps and you will be done in no time.

1. Loosen the lug nuts and jack up the car on the stand.

2. Remove the wheel to get access to the lower bolts.

3. There will be two 18 mm bolts that secure the shock absorber/coilover to the wheel hub, undo them, and disconnect the lower portion of the shock absorber/coilover.

4. Open the hood, and locate the top mount securing bolts. These are usually of 22 mm or 24 mm.

5. Undo these screws using the wrench, now your shock absorber should come out easily.

6. If using a shock absorber and not a coil over, use a spring compressor to compress the spring, and then undo the main bolt that secures the top mounts and bearing.

7. Once undone, remove the old top mount and bearing, and install new ones in their place.

8. Tighten the securing bolt, and insert the shock absorber back into its slot into the car body.

9. First, tighten the top bolt in the hood to hold the shock absorber in place.

10. Now, tighten the lower 18 mm bolts while pulling the shock absorber towards you, this will make sure that the wheel alignment stays proper and there are no camber problems.

11. Tighten all the bolts and apply grease where necessary.

12. Put the wheel back on, and lower the car back on to the ground. Repeat for the other side.

Congratulations! You have just succeeded in fitting top mounts by yourself. Enjoy your improved ride.