What Are Coilovers?

If you’re looking to enhance your car’s performance or improve its aesthetic appeal, understanding coilovers is essential. These suspension systems have gained popularity among automotive enthusiasts and casual drivers alike for their versatility and performance benefits. In this text, we will investigate into the intricacies of coilovers, exploring their components, benefits, types, and how to choose the right one for your vehicle. Whether you’re seeking improved handling, lowering your ride, or simply seeking a more refined driving experience, coilovers are typically a game-changer for those looking to upgrade their suspension system.

Understanding Coilover Suspension Systems

Coilovers are sophisticated suspension systems that combine a coil spring and a shock absorber (damper) within a single assembly. This compact design mounts between your vehicle’s chassis and the wheel hub, allowing for various adjustments to enhance both comfort and performance. For Audi owners, coilovers are especially popular because they offer a precise way to fine-tune ride height, improve handling, and unlock the full potential of Audi’s already capable suspension platform.

These systems are especially utilized in performance and modified vehicles, providing superior support to absorb road irregularities while maintaining control over body motion. With coilovers, you can adjust your vehicle’s ride height, allowing you to modify the stance and behavior of your car for improved handling, aesthetics, or performance. Adjusting the vehicle's ride height with coilovers also enables you to change the ground clearance, which is important for different driving scenarios such as track use or daily driving. Changing coilover settings, such as ride height or preload, directly affects handling, including grip and responsiveness.

Components of Coilovers

Typical coilover kits comprise several critical components, each playing a vital role in the overall function of the suspension system:

• Damper (Shock Absorber): Controls spring movement and provides damping to absorb shocks from the road. Inside the damper, a piston moves within the damping case, which is a single assembly where both compression and rebound occur. As the piston moves inward during compression, it increases the pressure in the damper chamber, affecting how the suspension responds to bumps and road conditions. The damping case is designed to provide a sensitive response to suspension movements, and rebound refers to the return movement after compression—an important adjustable parameter for tuning ride quality and handling. Some coilover designs also allow for more travel, which helps absorb larger bumps and improves comfort or performance.

• Coil Spring: Supports the vehicle’s weight while absorbing impacts from road surfaces. In some coilover systems, increased travel in the spring and damper assembly further enhances ride comfort and performance.

• Threaded Body & Collars: Allow for ride-height adjustment and preload settings for the springs.

• Upper/Lower Mounts & Bushings: These attach the unit securely to the vehicle’s chassis and wheel knuckle.

• Bump Stop: Prevents the suspension from compressing excessively, protecting against bottoming out.

• Inner Cylinder & Outer Cylinder (Twin-Tube Shocks): In twin-tube coilover designs, the inner cylinder moves up and down inside the outer cylinder, which acts as a hydraulic fluid reserve. This setup allows for increased suspension stroke (more travel) and helps manage hydraulic fluid, enhancing both ride quality and handling.

Benefits of Using Coilovers

The advantages of installing coilovers on your vehicle are numerous:

• Adjustable Ride Height: Tailor your vehicle’s stance for a more aggressive look or improved aerodynamics.

• Enhanced Handling: Coilovers provide improved suspension dynamics, resulting in better cornering performance and reduced body roll. They also help improve grip and stability during cornering, especially at higher speeds, making them ideal for sporty driving or racing conditions.

• Corner-Weighting Accuracy: By allowing for precise tuning, coilovers can enhance weight distribution, especially important for track enthusiasts.

• Compact Design: The integrated systems often take up less space and can weigh less compared to traditional setups with separate shocks and springs.

Types of Coilovers Available

Coilovers come in various designs, and it's important to select a specific type of coilover kit tailored to your vehicle's make, model, and driving requirements. For example, if you drive an Acura, choosing a kit engineered specifically for your Acura’s suspension geometry ensures optimal compatibility, handling, and performance for your intended application.

• Full (True) Coilovers: These are matched spring and damper pairs sold as a complete unit, providing optimum performance and adjustability.

• Sleeve/Slip-On Coilovers: These involve adjustable spring sleeves fitted on existing dampers, allowing for some degree of tuning.

• Non-Adjustable, Height-Adjustable, and Fully Adjustable Kits: Options vary from basic height adjustments to comprehensive systems allowing for both height and damping adjustments.

Spring Rates and Suspension Explained

When upgrading to coilover suspension kits, understanding spring rates and how they interact with your complete suspension system is key to unlocking the best ride quality and handling for your vehicle. At the heart of every coilover kit is the partnership between the coil spring and the shock absorber—two components that work together to control suspension movement, absorb bumps, and keep your car stable through corners.

The spring rate of a coilover spring refers to how much force is needed to compress the spring by a certain amount. Stiffer (higher) spring rates mean the spring resists compression more, which can lead to sharper, more responsive handling and less body roll—ideal for racing or spirited driving. Softer (lower) spring rates, on the other hand, allow for more compression, resulting in a smoother ride that’s better suited for daily driving or rougher roads. The right spring rate for your setup depends on your vehicle’s weight, intended use, and personal preference for ride comfort versus performance.

Coilover shocks, especially those with adjustable dampers, let you fine-tune how quickly the shock absorber responds to suspension movement. This is achieved by controlling the flow of hydraulic fluid inside the shock’s inner and outer cylinders. Twin tube shocks, a popular design in many coilover suspensions, use this dual-cylinder setup to provide a more sensitive response to small suspension movements, improving both comfort and control.

For those looking to adjust their vehicle’s ride height without a full overhaul, slip fit coilovers offer a practical solution. These systems allow you to lower or raise your car by adjusting the position of the coilover springs on the existing shock absorber. While slip fit coilovers provide some height adjustability, full bodied coilovers deliver a complete package—offering not just ride height changes, but also customizable damping and spring rates for a truly tailored suspension system.

Other important components, such as polyurethane bushings and bump stops, play a supporting role in the overall performance of your coilover kit. Polyurethane bushings help reduce unwanted flex and improve steering response, while bump stops prevent the suspension from bottoming out during aggressive driving or over large bumps.

When selecting the right coilover kit, consider your goals: higher spring rates and adjustable dampers are great for track days and high-speed cornering, while softer springs and a focus on ride quality may be better for daily commuting. Don’t overlook the importance of proper installation and setup—getting the spring rates, damping, and ride height dialed in can make a dramatic difference in how your car feels and performs.

Ultimately, a well-chosen and properly adjusted coilover suspension system can transform your vehicle, offering improved handling, greater control, and the flexibility to adapt to different driving conditions. Whether you’re chasing lap times or just want a more comfortable and capable ride, understanding spring rates and suspension dynamics is the first step to making your coilovers truly worth upgrading.

Choosing the Right Coilovers for Your Vehicle

When selecting coilovers, consider the following factors to ensure you make the right choice:

• Vehicle Use: Are you using your car for daily driving, spirited street use, or track days? Coilovers are available for a wide range of vehicles, including trucks, and each use case will influence your choice.

• Spring Rates and Damping Range: Ensure they are suitable for your vehicle’s weight and tire specifications: this is critical for performance.

• Adjustability Needs: Decide if you need height adjustment only or height plus damping offers.

• Build Quality and Compatibility: Look for materials that resist corrosion and are compatible with your suspension layout, like MacPherson struts or double wishbone setups.

Coilovers are considered an upgrade over the standard equipment (factory suspension) that comes with most vehicles, offering enhanced adjustability and performance.

It's important to consider who will install the coilovers, as proper installation is crucial for safety and optimal function. Some enthusiasts choose to install coilovers themselves, while others prefer to have a professional mechanic handle the installation.

Installation and Maintenance Tips

Proper installation and maintenance are crucial for maximizing the performance of your coilovers:

• Professional Alignment: Always perform a professional alignment after installation to ensure optimal performance and tire longevity.

• Proper Torque Settings: Torque all fasteners according to specifications and set the initial ride height evenly across all corners. Adjusting preload and damper settings at this stage can make the suspension stiffer or softer, allowing you to fine-tune ride comfort and handling to your preference.

• Regular Inspections: Periodically check for leaks, damaged boots, or seized collars. Regular cleaning of threads can prevent corrosion and ensure smooth adjustments. Maintenance and setup should also take into account the typical road conditions the vehicle will be driven on, as different surfaces may require different suspension settings for optimal performance.

Conclusion

Coilovers represent an excellent investment for anyone looking to improve their vehicle's performance and aesthetics. From their adjustable design to the tangible benefits they offer on the road and track, they're a sought-after enhancement for many car enthusiasts. At Coilovers.com, we provide a wealth of options tailored for various makes and models, alongside expert guidance to help you find the right setup. Don't hesitate to reach out and enhance your driving experience today.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are coilovers and how do they work?

Coilovers are suspension systems that combine a coil spring and a shock absorber within a single unit, allowing for adjustments in ride height and damping to enhance comfort and performance.

What are the benefits of installing coilovers on my vehicle?

Installing coilovers offers adjustable ride height, improved handling, enhanced corner-weighting accuracy, and a compact design that takes up less space compared to traditional suspensions.

How do I choose the right coilovers for my vehicle?

Consider factors like your vehicle's use (daily driving or track days), desired adjustability, and the appropriate spring rates. Ensuring compatibility with your suspension type is also crucial.

What are the different types of coilovers available?

Coilovers come in various types, including full coilovers, sleeve/slip-on coilovers, and kits that are non-adjustable but height-adjustable, allowing for different levels of customization.

How often should I maintain my coilovers?

Regular inspections are essential. Check for leaks, damage, and maintain clean threads. Professional alignment is also recommended after installation to ensure optimal performance.

Can coilovers improve handling on the track?

Yes, coilovers enhance handling by providing better suspension dynamics, allowing for precise tuning and improved cornering performance, making them ideal for track enthusiasts.