| Other than the words "I'm pregnant," few things | | | | expands to provide suspension, returning to their |
| will send a chill up a guy's spine faster than the | | | | natural shape when not in use. |
| sound of his suspension bottoming out and the | | | | Leaf springs are another option. They're also one |
| ensuing SCRAAAAAPE of the tires on the | | | | of the oldest and simplest forms of suspension, |
| undercarriage. But when you routinely haul heavy | | | | dating back to medieval times. Leaf springs have |
| loads, you're constantly at risk for damaging your | | | | an arc-shaped appearance and provide one |
| wheels and the lower portion of your exterior, | | | | advantage over a coil spring: the end of the |
| often shaving a layer of paint off every time you | | | | springs can be guided along a definite path. While |
| climb over a speed bump or high curb. Damage | | | | leaf springs provide some reduction in vibration, |
| aside, underperforming stock suspension | | | | they can be difficult to control and create static |
| components don't make for a very smooth ride. | | | | friction from the motion of the suspension, which |
| Luckily, aftermarket upgrades are affordable and | | | | is why their use is reserved mainly for farming |
| easy to install. So, keep the paint from chipping | | | | equipment and rarely appears on modern cars |
| and the rubber on the road with some of the | | | | and trucks. |
| following suggestions. | | | | Another way to upgrade those stock |
| Shock absorbers are always a good place to | | | | components is with an air suspension. It's powered |
| start. Whether you're looking to upgrade or just | | | | by an engine-driven or electric air compressor and |
| replace your shocks, performance-grade shock | | | | remains wildly popular among auto enthusiasts and |
| absorbers are available as custom-fit, universal | | | | those looking to smooth out the bumps in the |
| performance shocks, OEM-style and even factory | | | | road while getting away from metal components. |
| replacements, ensuring a straightforward | | | | The pump pressurizes air and uses it to replace |
| installation at a fraction of what the dealer would | | | | conventional steel springs. Air shocks allow the |
| charge you. They're specially-tuned to your make, | | | | user to adjust each wheel's air pressure |
| model and year, with each part robotically welded | | | | individually and even tilt the vehicle side to side or |
| for accuracy and quality construction, assuring | | | | front to back, providing clearance for obstacles |
| reliability and lasting performance. | | | | like speed bumps and curbs. |
| Coil springs are shock absorbers that work | | | | Finally, top off your upgraded suspension system |
| through the collection and release of energy. Also | | | | with a sway bar. Manufactured from cold-formed, |
| known as lowering springs, they're shaped like the | | | | high-strength steel, a sway bar reduces |
| spring found on the business end of a pogo stick | | | | speed-robbing body roll and increases grip through |
| and constructed from an elastic material that | | | | the corners to provide a performance edge. |