The Complete Shock And Strut Swap
One mistake to avoid when replacing struts is reusing the bearing plates or upper mounts.
Automotive Suspensions: Replacing Weak Springs
Weak springs can affect both camber and caster, which may result in a steering pull, uneven tire wear and more.
Spring Replacement and Engineering
The specifications for the spring and strut are linked. When one component is worn, it impacts the other.
Suspension Noise Diagnostics
If one suspension part is out of specification, it can cause noise or vibration in another.
Ride Height And Spring Diagnostics: Why Do Springs Droop?
No road is entirely flat. Even a small tar strip or dip causes movement in the suspension. This movement is controlled by the spring and dampener. No matter the type of movement, the spring is compressed and then releases the energy into the body, dampener or road.
VIDEO: Spring Design And Technology
Andrew Markel explores the design of progressive springs and how they distribute shifts in weight and promote ride comfort. Sponsored by Monroe.
Springs: The Foundation Of Stability
When a wheel reacts to a bump or body motion, the spring is compressed and then releases the energy. During this cycle, the steel of the spring will compress, and just a little bit of life is taken out of it. It’s not the amount of travel that matters, but the frequency of the cycles.
Tire Tread Wear: Causes And Symptoms
Tire tread wear can tell you a lot about what is wrong with a car’s suspension. Here are the most common tread wear patterns and what causes them.
Shocks and Struts: A Crucial Part of the Electronic Equation
When a vehicle’s ABS or stability control is really needed, how well it works is directly related to the tire’s contact patch. If the tire does not have traction, any type of electronic intervention or driving skill will not bring the car back under control. During a panic stop, weight transfers to the front tires,
Shocks, Struts and Springs: The Lighting Connection
The health of the suspension has a direct effect on the headlights, even on vehicles without self-leveling headlights. If the ride height is down in the front, the headlights’ beam pattern will not project far enough. If the rear height is down, the headlight pattern could be pointing at the sky and in the eyes
Why Your Customers Believe They Don’t Need New Shocks, Struts
The old proverb of “walk a mile in their shoes” applies to selling shocks and struts. Your typical customer is not like you — their point of view is completely different. You have to understand what they know and what they value. You also need the patience to educate them on the importance of these
Why Alignment Angles Change
An alignment angle doesn’t change randomly. There is a cause-and-effect relationship between external and internal forces that can alter the geometry of a vehicle’s suspension. Having the alignment reading for only one angle on one corner is just like having the outside temperature without knowing if there is a tornado outside. Just making an adjustment
