ISC Suspension offers some insight into the most common coilover myths and concerns, and offers some of their own solutions for those who need it.
1. Like OEM struts, I do not have to maintain my adjustable coilovers.
False. It is recommended to service or check your coilover set annually. Unlike OEM struts, the shock bodies on coilovers are threaded and have many more moving parts than your standard strut. The use of anti-seize and corrosion protective lubricants on threaded areas such as locking collars, shock bodies, and lower mounts is key to a lifetime of easy adjustment. It is not uncommon for untreated or ill maintained coilovers to seize, never able to be adjusted again. ISC offers neoprene coilover covers to protect your investment from the harsh elements of snow, salt, mud, dust, and road debris. If you need your ISC coilovers serviced, or want an overall inspection of your coilovers, ISC offers rebuild and part replacement services. Head over to ISCSuspension-na.com to learn more.
2. My coilovers came out of the box and are much shorter than my OEM struts. No way these are for my car!
Good news; the coilovers you have are more than likely for your car! Your vehicle’s original equipment suspension is designed much differently than the construction of an adjustable coilover. Traditionally, factory-like coil on spring construction is made for comfort over performance. Your original struts will come with long, soft, usually multi-rate springs that provide more droop (down travel) and compression (up travel). This ultimately creates a comfortable ride, at the expense of having body roll, and an unstable vehicle in performance applications. Coilovers, unlike factory struts, have a shorter overall footprint, with a stiffer (and often linear rate) spring that does not provide as much droop or up travel. This may sound bad initially, but this creates a suspension that better supports the vehicle, keeps the car more planted to the ground, and eliminates body roll, resulting in a more positive input to the driver's seat. ISC offers monotube shock body constriction with a larger piston that creates a more responsive and more reliable ride that fits into a smaller package over a “cheaper” twin tube damper with a smaller piston.
3. Coilovers will make my ride softer than OEM, giving me a “cloud like” ride.
Coilovers, while giving you better performance in some areas, may not yield what some people often look for when purchasing suspension. Coilovers are a great upgrade for people looking to make their car handle around corners, drop their ride height, better the looks of their vehicle, and achieve sporty handling characteristics. Coilovers may not be the best option if you often smash through potholes and want a suspension that will make those hits a bit more supple. ISC offers a line of OEM style lowering springs to pair with OEM style struts to bridge this gap. These provide a fixed subtle drop, while still maintaining a ride that echoes the personality of a stock setup.
4. Coilovers will give me a harsh ride.
While coilovers may not absorb big pot holes as dynamic as stock suspension, you may still experience a better overall ride quality. Coilovers will provide supportive and firm traits, while still maintaining a level of comfort that is suitable for daily driving. Coilovers will give you a sense of firm confidence on the road, eliminating the relaxed, loose, sponge-like characteristics exemplified by original equipment. While some coilovers do not have adjustable damping, ISC Suspension offers track and a Sport Series that each feature 32 clicks of adjustability to fine tune your ride. No matter if you prefer a sporty and aggressive track feel or a more tame street style, ISC provides options to fit every need.
While some coilovers rely on changing the preload on the spring to change height, ISC coilovers have the ability to adjust ride height without adjusting the spring, which gives you the ability to be at whatever ride height you want without changing the ride quality.
5. I have to take my coilovers off every time I want to adjust ride height, what a pain!
False. Many coilovers, including those from ISC Suspension, can be adjusted right on your vehicle! To make these adjustments, you will simply need to have your vehicle either on a lift, or supported on jack stands with the wheels removed. From here, the suspension will be accessible to adjust with the tools that were included with your suspension kit. To adjust an ISC type coilover, simply loosen the bottom collar with the small spanner tool and then use the small or large spanner on the top collars to turn the whole assembly in or out of the bottom mount. Lock the lower collar, and repeat on all corners. For more information on how to adjust a divorced rear ISC coilover, head on over to ISCSuspension-na.com or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
6. My coilovers are good, but how can I make them better?
If you are rocking the standard steel springs your coilovers came with, try upgrading them to a better performing, lighter weight, and longer lasting spring. ISC Triple S upgraded coilover springs are a fantastic option to replace the coil springs on your aftermarket coilovers. One benefit of these lighter weight springs is the reduction of unsprung weight of the vehicle. This means it keeps the car more planted and in race applications, translates into more traction around corners. In everyday application, this also means the car can react to bumps and dips in the road more effectively. The upgraded Triple S springs also have a bigger pitch (distance between coils) that allow for more usable stroke vs. a standard coil spring of the same length and rate. This also aids in making the stroke of the suspension a bit smoother. Another advantage of having an increased pitch is you are able to run a shorter spring, while still maintaining the available spring stroke of a longer standard coil which further reduces the overall unsprung weight and also may permit more clearance for wider tires and wheels in some applications.
Photography courtesy of ISC Suspension
For more information, visit https://iscsuspension-na.com.
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