The suspension is one of the most important systems on your vehicle. It can also be fairly complex to understand, let alone work on. Check out some of these frequently asked questions about suspensions and get the answers you need before shopping for suspension components.
Suspension Systems - Frequently Asked Questions
- Why should I lower or lift my vehicle?
- How difficult are lowering and lift kits to install?
- How does lifting/lowering my vehicle change its alignment, steering, and handling?
- Can I drop my suspension all the way down for maximum performance?
- Does altering my suspension void my warranty?
- What is the difference between twin-tube and monotube shocks?
- What is camber?
Answers to Suspension FAQs
What are the benefits to lifting or lowering my vehicle?
Lifting and lowering your ride have two very different sets of benefits. Boosting your ride height with a lift kit gives your vehicle extra clearance to take on off-road paths and beefs up your suspension for heavy-duty use. Lowering kits, on the other hand, lower your center of gravity and tighten your springs for improved steering and traction on pavement. Lifting and lowering kits also alter your exterior style - use a lift kit for tough looks, or drop your car with a lowering kit for smooth style.
How hard is it to install a lowering kit or lift kit?
Lift and lowering kits include a wide array of simple and complex parts and require special equipment to properly install. Taking your kit to a professional garage is highly recommended, though if you have plenty of mechanical experience and the right tools you can install it at home.
For example, the following video shows what it takes to install the ReadyLift SST Lift Kit:
Does lowering or lifting my vehicle affect its steering, braking, or handling?
Yes. Altering your ride height changes your center of gravity, alignment, and handling. In the case of lift kits, the added height can make your vehicle more prone to rollovers and more touchy when cornering. Dropping the ride height also lowers the center of gravity, generally improving your cornering and handling - to a point. The photo below illustrates the change in style and stance when you install an Eibach Pro Kit:
Can I lower my ride as far as possible for maximum performance?
While a lowered vehicle has a lower center of gravity for tighter cornering and more responsive handling, there is such a thing as getting too low. Lowered rides have less suspension travel, which gives vehicles a more harsh ride feel and makes them more likely to bottom out on bigger bumps. Luckily, each of our lowering kits and performance suspensions are custom-designed to your exact vehicle and tuned to ideal heights for the best balance of comfort, sleek looks, and race-worthy handling.
Will modifying the suspension void my warranty?
By law, installing an aftermarket part to your vehicle won't affect your warranty, unless your dealer can prove that the modification directly caused a failure on your vehicle. You should be able to install a performance suspension or lift/lowering kit without issue, but you should consult your dealer and read your warranty carefully before buying and installing any suspension parts.
What is the difference between monotube and twin-tube shocks?
Monotube and twin-tube shocks are each designed for different applications. Twin-tubes are great for a variety of uses, from street driving and racing to rougher terrain. Their smooth performance and durable design makes these shocks preferable for street use. Monotube shocks are ideal for lifted trucks and heavy-duty use because they provide a long travel and extra dampening with less chance of failure.
What is camber?
Chances are you've seen this word thrown a lot when reading about suspension modifications. Camber is defined by the angle of your wheel relative to the ground. When the top of your wheel is tilted away from the vehicle, that's known as positive camber. Negative camber is when the wheel is angled inwards. Altering your ride height or installing aftermarket suspension parts changes certain angles in your steering and suspension systems, affecting your camber. Left and right wheels should have matching camber, as misaligned wheels can negatively impact your handling and cause uneven tire wear. When lowering your vehicle, consider picking up an Eibach Camber Kit to improve your steering and maintain the life of you tires
Conclusion
We hope this Suspension FAQs page helps answer some of the questions you have about performance suspensions and lift/lowering kits. If you have any other questions or suggestions about this guide, feel free to call our experienced Customer Service staff at 800-663-1570.
