What To Consider Before Buying Coilovers

A coilover kit is a popular choice for an array of different cars, not just sports vehicles. They are a frequently purchased item because they enhance performance and they add a cool appearance too.

All coilovers essentially do the same thing. They allow you to adjust the ride height through adjusting collars. These either raise or lower where the springs sit. This can also have an impact on suspension travel. A higher ride is beneficial for those who are looking to have more travel and a better ride in terms of comfort. On the other hand, a lower ride height results in a rougher rid because it has less suspension travel.

Nonetheless, despite the general function being the same for all coilovers, you still need to put a lot of thought and consideration into your purchase when you upgrade to coilovers. This blog post will give you a helping hand by revealing the points you need to take into account before you buy your coilover kit.

Fully threaded or partially threaded coilovers

In general, there are two main types of coilovers for you to choose between, these are; fully threaded and partially threaded. Most people tend to recommend going for the former option. The main difference between both types of coilovers is the way in which the height is adjusted. When it comes to fully threaded models you adjust the height through using the lower bracket, however, with a partially threaded (or traditional coilover) you adjust the height at the spring lower seat rings. This difference has resulted in knock-on effects. The main resulting dissimilarity is in relation to the damper stroke. The reason why full threaded coilovers are preferred is that they do not affect the damper’s stroke. However, with a partially threaded coilover if you lower the height below a certain amount then the spring will be loose. In turn, you will start to lose the damper strokes – they may even hit the bottom too.

Adjustable damping rate

When you purchase a coilover kit for your car, nine times out of ten they will come with a recommended and pre-set rate for damping. Nevertheless, it is always advisable to purchase a kit whereby the damping rate is adjustable. There are many reasons why you may want to change the rate, for instance; you may want to change the rate in accordance with various driving stages. If you did not buy a coilover kit with an adjustable damping rate you need to purchase a new shock absorber boasting the desired rate for the certain stage of vehicle specification or for whatever other reason you need to change it. All in all, by going for the adjustable option you save time, hassle and money.

Ease of height adjustment

A lot of people opt to buy used coilovers because they are cheaper in price. However, this is something you need to be particularly wary of. Why? Well, used coilovers are more susceptible to rust. If your coilover is rusty then you will find it difficult to adjust the height and this consequently diminishes the entire use of the kit – after all, height adjustment is the main reason for purchasing a coilover. You should always assess the adjusting threads when purchasing a coilover kit. You need to make sure they are good against rust. This is the only way to ensure that your coilover will last you for a long time to come, and consequently ensure you get value for money out of your product.  

Cost of the coilover kit

And last but not least, you also need to consider how much the coilover kit in question is going to cost. When contemplating price you need to see the bigger picture. Don’t just go for the cheapest kit you can find; you will undoubtedly lose out on quality and this will cost you more in the long run. You need to consider the purchase cost and you need to think about running costs too. If you use the previous points mentioned then you will ensure you benefit from a quality coilover. Only once you have made sure this is the case, should you then begin to narrow down your search in terms of price. Have a look online and see the general prices being charged. If something seems too good to be true then it probably is.

If you carefully consider the four points that have been mentioned in this article then you should have no issue making the best purchase for you out of all the coilovers available. Remember; coilover type, height adjustment, damping adjustment, and overall costs are imperative.

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