Suspension System Vital to Handling and Ride
Each Suspension Component Effects Comfort, Handling and Performance
What is the car suspension?
An auto suspension system has many parts, and it affects how the vehicle rides and performs. Components such as springs, shocks, control arms, bushings, and linkages work together in the suspension system to maximize rider comfort, handling, and performance.
The suspension system balances the need to keep the wheels on the road with the desire to minimize the impact of uneven surfaces, potholes, and bumps encountered by every driver. In short, car suspension determines how the vehicle handles and the quality of the ride.
What types of suspension are there?
In general, there are two main types of suspension—dependent and independent. These terms refer to the ability of opposite wheels to move separately from each other.
- Dependent Suspension uses a simple axle or driven axle, also known as a live axle, to keep the wheels parallel to the axle and perpendicular to the vehicle.
- Independent Suspension lets the wheels fall and rise on their own with no effect on the opposite wheel.
Also, cars and trucks have both front and rear suspension, and the type of suspension used can differ.
What does each suspension component do?
Springs are what hold the vehicle up and help absorb the terrain's impact.
Shocks work with the springs to absorb the impact and help reduce that impact.
Bushings absorb the shock of the terrain and reduce noise in the vehicle. They help control the pivot points in the suspension.
Anti-sway bars reduce body roll when taking a turn and help stiffen the suspension.
Control arms directly connect to the vehicle's frame and the front wheels. Control Arms are essential to steering the automobile and are core to guiding the wheels up and down with the contours of the terrain.
Why would you replace your suspension parts?
There are many reasons to replace suspension components. Over time bushings, shocks, and springs wear out or break. In addition, replacing the parts improves performance, so road racers, drag racers, off-roaders, and performance enthusiasts often replace their suspension systems.
Signs of wear
Wear and tear cause these suspension parts to fail. When that happens, you will notice the change in ride quality. For street-driven applications, signs of wear include
- Clunking sounds
- Excessive ride bounce
- Spring sag (vehicle no longer sits level)
Suspension components cost
Pricing on these parts fall within an extensive range. The cost depends on what parts of the suspension system you are replacing. For example, shocks range from $20 a shock absorber for a stock OEM application to $1000 a shock absorber for an off-road race truck. The application and the quality of the parts typically determine the price range.
Can I replace my suspension parts myself?
Most DIY mechanics can replace suspension parts themselves. However, replacing springs can be very dangerous in some applications and should be handled by a professional.
Remember that whenever a front-end suspension part is replaced, an alignment must also be done. If the alignment is not done professionally, tires and the parts wear out prematurely.
G Force Performance Products Suspension Components
At G Force, we supply parts for a few control arm applications ranging from a Jeep Wrangler to a Chevrolet Chevelle. For newer Mustangs, we have vertical link bars. And we recently came out with sway bars for the Mazda Miata. We engineered all these products to increase suspension control and better handling of these vehicles.
Newest Suspension Components from G Force
Engineered for the 1997-2006 Jeep Wrangler TJ/LJ with a lift kit installed. The left- and right-hand threaded components make adjusting them more efficient because the control arms remain bolted to the vehicle. Plus, the forged steel Johnny Joint style threaded rod ends provide more than enough room for misalignment and suspension travel movement.
2016-2022 Mazda Miata Sway Bars | GF-MSB15
Our new sway bars minimize lean so that your tires stay on the ground. Decreased lean means better traction, faster cornering, and improved driver control. New polyurethane bushings also are included.
Improve track performance, responsiveness, and overall handling of your 2008-2016 Camaro, SS, or G8 with new Rear Trailing Arms from G Force. These trailing arms feature a solid steel body with high-density polyurethane bushings. Our trailing arms help eliminate excessive flex under track conditions and at higher speeds, and the factory length makes installation easier.
The new 2015-2022 Ford Mustang Vertical Links from G Force combine a high-strength spherical bushing design with a billet aluminum housing to provide more predictable and stable handling. They also minimize driveline shudder and improve acceleration while eliminating unwanted wheel hop.
No welding is required to install these tubular subframe connectors that tie the front and back frames of a 1979-2004 Mustang together. These subframe connectors firmly attach from the K Member area back to the rear lower torque box on both sides of the car. The connection improves traction and weight transfer to enhance drag, road racing, and autocross performance.
For older cars, G Force has lower and upper control arms for select vehicles. See our Suspension Components line of products for details on all of our suspension components.
1978-1987 All GM G-Body Rear Lower Control Arms | SSM 1313
Replace soft factory rubber bushings with Delrin bushings that resist compression, flex, smashing, and twisting on a hard launch. Our boxed steel tubing is heavy-duty and eliminates bending and flexing in the rear suspension.
This rear upper control arm for 1100 Series RWD cars significantly reduces bend and flex in the rear suspension. Easily reachable grease fittings help keep your control arms lubricated, preventing bushing bind and squeaking.
1964-1967 GM Chevelle Upper Control Arm | SSM-1103E
Rear Upper Control Arm for early model A-Body 1100 Series RWD car with Delrin bushing replacing the soft OEM bushings. Delrin bushings eliminate the tendency of factory bushings to twist, compress and flex on a hard launch.
1978-1987 GM Monte Carlo Upper Control Arm | SSM-1102
Flexing and bending of the rear suspension are eliminated with our heavy-duty boxed steel tubing. As an added feature, the easy-to-reach grease fitting helps you keep your control arm greased to prevent binding and squeaking. The control arms also include Delrin bushings as a replacement for soft OEM rubber bushings.
1978-1983 Ford Fairmont, Maverick Rear Upper Control Arm | SSM-1101
Grease fittings that are easier to reach help prevent binding and squeaking by making it more straightforward for you to keep your control arm greased. Plus, heavy-duty boxed steel tubing means bind and flex usually found in the rear suspension is no longer an issue. And bushing compression, twisting, and flexing are a thing of the past with the solid Delrin bushings replacements.
Why G Force
From the beginning, we've focused our energies on producing quality parts for performance enthusiasts to reach their goals with quality parts that are easier to install while preserving their strength and durability.
Today, our engineers continue to produce groundbreaking designs that maintain our reputation for manufacturing top-of-the-line parts, making us well known in the industry.
We carefully engineer and test each part for fitment and strength. At G Force, our innovations mark us as leaders in suspension and transmission markets. The G Force Crew is ready to assist you.