Perhaps the time has come to change the car suspension and you have decided to take the opportunity to make some changes or you have a vehicle or van that you have to use for work carrying or towing heavy loads and you must necessarily switch to a suspension system improve.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Only improve the shock absorbers
Step 1. Purchase new shock absorbers
The first and also the quickest way to upgrade the car's suspension system is to fit better quality shock absorbers. It could be a simple operation, like buying a more expensive original part than the one on the car, or you can switch to more expensive after-market parts that have the disadvantage of ruining the driving experience, while increasing the vehicle stability and reliability.
Step 2. Be careful not to overdo it
It's worth asking the auto parts store clerk for advice, but remember he is there to sell a product and may not be as knowledgeable as you think.
- Whenever you venture outside the original product market, take risks and, as a general rule, remember that manufacturers use the words "best" and "performing" to indicate the stiffer and less flexible shock absorbers.
- This suspension feature allows you to maintain control of the rear and ensures good grip of the tires on the ground, but also results in a less fluid or comfortable ride.
Step 3. If necessary, look for shock absorbers rated for heavy loads
It is very difficult to gauge how after-market parts affect the overall driving experience, regardless of what salespeople and marketers say.
That said, if you have to carry or tow heavy objects, it is worth buying shock absorbers designed for this job, which can be air or twin pipe, to maintain good rear grip with the asphalt
Method 2 of 3: for Heavy Loads
Step 1. Consider purchasing freight struts or shock absorbers
Do you want to mount a large steel bumper on your off-road vehicle? Have you equipped the van to hook up a tow? In all these cases, you have to opt for industrial shock absorbers. There is no need to go crazy for now, but if you usually carry a lot of suitcases, the loading area is full of boulders or you want to tow a boat or a caravan, the first thing to do is to use stronger shock absorbers.
- When buying spare parts, pay attention to compatibility with your vehicle and, unless you want to raise the frame off the ground, avoid all models that claim to raise the chassis by 5 cm or more.
- These shocks alone can increase ground clearance a little, but are actually used to compensate for a complex lift modification and not to provide it themselves. If you fit these models, you will eventually end up with a suspension system that involves shorter mileage to absorb shock and wears out pretty quickly.
Step 2. Evaluate the adjustable ones
These shock absorbers are perfect for preventing the rear of the vehicle from dropping excessively when carrying loads.
- When you decide to make improvements, it is best to replace the shock absorbers on all four wheels with products of equivalent quality, although the air or adjustable ones typically only fit on the rear.
- The air ones are particularly interesting, as they can be adjusted to a more rigid setting when the vehicle is fully loaded or to a "softer" setting for a more comfortable but stable ride.
Step 3. Reinforce the springs
You can evaluate this when you are ready to put heavy objects on the means of transport. If the car is equipped with leaf springs (quite common on the rear suspensions of vans and cars), you can simply add another to screw with bolts to the existing springs; doing so you get more strength, tension and a lot of extra load capacity.
- Coil springs are more common on front wheels and can be reinforced with inexpensive bolsters - usually, these are polyurethane brackets that slide into the spool to reduce play without increasing vehicle height.
- Both of these reinforcements allow you to slightly increase the height of the vehicle from the ground, although we cannot speak of a real alteration of this parameter. The supports for the coil springs and leaf springs simply reduce the compression that these elements undergo when the vehicle is loaded, which then seems higher.
- The movement of the wheels generally does not undergo any variation and if you proceed with the correct assembly, the weight of the transported goods should bring this parameter back to normal. When you decide to install industrial shock absorbers, always opt for original spare parts.
Step 4. Insert air springs
To make the ride really stable, you can add air inserts into the spring coils which greatly reduce the squashing and hopping of the tires.
- There are kits that you can install yourself with basic tools, but they are by no means a cheap solution; moreover, it is always better to contact a professional for this type of mechanical work, since you have to disassemble the axles and remove the springs.
- While it is possible to proceed with this type of work, remember that it could prove problematic and potentially dangerous if you don't know what you are doing.
Step 5. Consider fitting larger wheels
The improvements described so far are more than enough if you need more space to fit "oversize" tires or larger diameter rims paired with narrow shoulder tires, which are now so fashionable.
- If you have decided on these options, remember that narrow shoulder tires, while offering better handling on bad roads, make driving much less comfortable.
- On the contrary, the extra-large tires guarantee better absorption of bumps and in a certain way reduce consumption; however, they require more torque to overcome inertia and can degrade performance as a result.
- Usually, there is some play in the wheel well to accommodate tires and rims of different sizes, especially on vans; but if you need to make a significant change for whatever reason, first check that the available space is suitable for the new wheels, that the front wheels can move freely when turned, and that they do not scrape the bodywork when you drive over a bump. If you have this type of problem, do not insist on changing the wheels, as it will involve some lifting of the frame.
Method 3 of 3: Raise the Car
Step 1. Consider adding torsion bars
Many trucks and vans are equipped with these adjustable elements, which allow you to make some changes to the front to raise it as much as the rear or to lower it when carrying a heavy load (thus obtaining the effect of "lowered trim").
- Consult the vehicle owner's manual for the adjustment procedures or, better yet, since you need to realign the wheels after changing the height of the shock absorbers, consult a tire dealer for this job.
- Thanks to changes in the torsion bar, leaf spring suspension mounts in the rear and industrial shock absorbers on all four wheels, you can keep the van level, lift it and even give it a lean and aggressive look.
- Remember that variations on the torsion bars do not increase the compression range of the shock absorbers, only the distance between the tire and the wheel well; this modification should be enough for your needs.
Step 2. Try a lift kit
Use common sense when considering fitting one of these kits. It can provide 2.5-5-7.5cm lift and so on as long as you replace every single suspension component (from the anti-roll bars to the steering rods) to satisfy your craving for a taller ride and more clearance in the wheel well.
- Don't get sucked into this phenomenon. A 5cm lift is enough to make a big difference; every time you increase the height of the frame, you have to buy new shock absorbers suitable for the set-up; moreover, after a certain level, this modification makes the vehicle less stable, reliable and it becomes difficult to get into the load compartment or into the passenger compartment.
- If you want a vehicle that looks like a monster truck, this article is not for you. The instructions described help you to prevent the wheels of your old van from coming into contact with the fender and the towbar from touching the asphalt whenever the road is a little bumpy.
Step 3. Choose the right size lifting kit
If you have fitted the spring holders and installed better shock absorbers, but the rear is still too low, buy a 5cm kit (maybe a 4cm one is enough too).
- The spring coil kit typically includes other polyurethane inserts that lower where the spring connects to the frame. Those for leaf spring suspensions are basically wedges that fit together at the point where the springs come into contact with the axle; sometimes there are also blocks to change the contact point with the chassis.
- If you are very lucky, you can lift the rear (remember to use industrial shock absorbers whose length is suitable for the increase in height) and use torsion bars to compensate and level the front.
- In some cases (when there are no adjustable torsion bars), you need a lift kit for all four wheels, unless you don't mind the rear of the van being higher when the vehicle is empty.
Step 4. Look at the contents of the kit
The more complete and well-designed models usually include longer springs and shock absorbers and all the surrounding equipment / small parts.
- If you really want (or need) the vehicle to be taller than about 5 cm, these kits are a good compromise, because they save you the doubts and the hassle of making calculations to align all the components, but they require an important work of installation; if you can afford it, consult a professional.
- In any case, once you have lifted the means of transport, take into account the set-up and alignment of the tires and make the necessary changes; better yet, take the van to a tire dealer who will make the necessary adjustments.
