IMPROVING HANDLING: With Shock, Strut and Other Upgrades

摘要

Handling means different things to different types of drivers. To most people, a vehicle that handles well is stable and predictable. In other words, there are no surprises and the suspension meets the driver's expectations for normal everyday driving. Whether the stock suspension and shocks are up to the task depends on the vehicle, how it is driven and the driver's expectations. Some stock suspensions are up to the task and others are not. And the older a vehicle gets, the greater the effect wear has on the suspension's ability to control ride and handling. Old worn out parts obviously can't to the same job as brand new parts. Popular upgrades include shocks and struts with firmer valving (or adjustable valving), shorter stiffer springs to lower the center of gravity, stiffer sway bars to keep the body flat, and firmer suspension bushings to reduce suspension compliance. The best approach is to install a complete suspension package that incorporates all of these parts and has been engineered to deliver the kind of handling performance the customer expects.