Suspension Parts

No matter what you drive, Tire Rack has done the homework necessary to ensure a proper fit for your vehicle when it comes to our Tire & Wheel Packages. 

While some vehicles have many aftermarket wheel and tire options, others are a bit more challenging and require the use of specially selected wheels to clear brake calipers, avoid suspension components and offer a factory style stance. One such vehicle that comes to mind is BMW's X5. This vehicle, especially when equipped with the optional 20" sport package, is notoriously difficult to outfit with all-season or dedicated winter / snow tires. 

Although manufacturers are stepping up to the plate and beginning to offer non-summer X5 tires in the 275/40-20 front and massive 315/35-20 rear sizes, the most popular solution for those looking for the best traction in foul weather is a downsized Winter / Snow Tire & Wheel Package.

A few wheels, such as the Rial Oslo (pictured) offer enough brake clearance in an 18" size to allow for proper fitment. With wheels such as this, we prefer drivers run a 255/55-18 tire on all four corners. This tire size allows for a wide variety of cost-effective options, maintains the factory rolling diameter and has a better cutting effect on ice and in snow compared to the factory staggered setup. Most often, a Tire & Wheel Package for this SUV in the 18" size costs approximately the same or less than the factory sized tires by themselves.

How do we know which wheels will fit your vehicle? We measure your vehicle's critical components with sophisticated electronic tools that allows our engineers to create extremely accurate drawings of each part. For more information, read "How We Know What Fits."

In a global economy, shoppers have more options than ever at their fingertips. From toasters to tires, products can be manufactured and shipped all over the world at a competitive price. And, when it comes to tires, how can you choose the most reliable and cost-effective brands? Let us help. 

Over our 32-year history, Tire Rack has developed close relationships with well over a dozen different tire manufacturers, including globally-respected brands like Michelin and Bridgestone to high quality but smaller companies such as Kumho and Yokohama. With every delivery to our warehouse and all shipments to our customers, tires are closely inspected for potential issues. Also, if an issue develops after the sale, we can work with you to get the issue resolved over the phone with the help of one of our friendly customer service representatives, via email or with the help of one of our independent Recommended Installers.

Regardless if you're looking for a new set of performance SUV tires, suspension parts, ceramic disc brake pads or more, we are sure to have what you want at the price you desire.

If you're shopping for a family member, friend or loved one this holiday season, consider a gift certificate from Tire Rack. With 17 different tire brands, approximately 40 unique wheel manufacturers, brand name suspension components, brake parts and more, we have a little something for everyone.

Not sure of a tire size, bolt pattern or desired product? Give the gift of unlimited choice for the person on your list. Once the certificate is purchased, the recipient will be able to purchase directly on our website or by simply calling one of our knowledgeable sales specialists.

Tire Rack Gift Certificates are available in dollar amounts ranging between $25-$5,000 and can be sent via email or paper form. For more information, please review the terms and conditions outlined below:

Gift Certificate Terms and Conditions

• Gift Certificate is valid on future retail purchases from Tire Rack only.
• Gift Certificates cannot be used to purchase additional Gift Certificates.
• Gift Certificates are not redeemable for cash and cannot be returned for a cash refund.
• Any unused balance will be credited to the recipient's Gift Certificate account.
• Tire Rack reserves the right to change these terms and conditions from time to time at its discretion.
• Gift Certificates and unused portions of Gift Certificates expire five years from the date of issue, subject to any applicable state law prohibiting any, or requiring a later, expiration date.
• Tire Rack is not responsible for lost or stolen Gift Certificates.
• The recipient's email address will be used once only for the purpose of sending the electronic Gift Certificate being purchased and will not be used for any other marketing purposes.
• Gift Certificate cash value is 1/10 of one cent.

If you're looking to spice up your Mustang with a little bit of factory induced flair, take a look at the new Boss 302S wheel from Ford Racing.

The new Boss 302 has been heralded by many as the baddest Mustang ever built. With 444 horsepower on tap, a track-tuned suspension, aggressive Mustang rims (wheels) and tires and monstrous brakes, it's hard to find fault with these claims. Unfortunately, while the new Boss 302 may turn blazing fast lap times and turn heads while doing it, the cost for such pleasure is a staggering $45,000. No doubt still a tremendous performance bargain, but this price tag sadly puts it out of range for the large majority of buyers considering the purchase of America's iconic pony car.

Fear not, as parts exist to freshen up the pony already in your stable. Whether you own a 2005-2010 4.0L V6, 2005-2010 4.6L V8, 2011+ 3.7L V6 or a 2011+ 5.0, the new Boss 302S wheels are designed to fit all members of the S197 chassis team. Designed for use with Brembo brakes, these wheels will even fit the 2011+ 5.0L GTs equipped with the optional Brembo package and any 2007+ GT500. This truly is a versatile wheel that can be used with a large range of applications. What's more is these wheels can be used in a 19x9 at all four corners or with a 19x9 front and 19x10 rear stagger. 

So if you're in need of new Mustang wheels, search by vehicle to find the set that works best with this American legend. 

With summer time here, it's time to get your Corvette out and go! Of all the cool sport cars that we get to work with, the Corvette is among my favorites because so many Corvette drivers drive their cars daily. What's the point of having a great car if you're not going to drive it? 

For C6 Z06 drivers that drive on the street and the track, rear 18" lightweight wheel availability has been limited until now. O.Z. Racing has introduced an 18x12 57mm offset Alleggerita HLT that's ideal for track use.

The anthracite painted (pictured above) and black painted finishes are currently available, while other painted finishes can be special ordered for delivery in approximately 60 days include blue, gold, orange, red and white.

Since the C6 Z06 typically comes with 18" front and 19" rear Original Equipment sizes, it's not possible to display the 18" wheels on our Upgrade Garage, so contact a sales specialist for assistance.

Combined with the 18x10 40mm offset front size ($399* Anthracite, $414* Black and $429* other finishes) you can run the following custom fit track fitments of 345/35-18 Hoosier R6 or A6 in the rear and either 295/30-18 or 315/30-18 in the front.  These custom fit track fitments are aggressive fitments where the edge of the tire will be further out towards the fender. Suspension modification may be required to clear the fender lips.

This 18" combination weighs 3.8 lbs. less per rear wheel compared to the 345/30-19 Hoosier R6 on 19x12" O.Z. Racing Ultraleggera HLTs. 3.8 lbs. Less rotational weight will significantly improve braking and accelerating at the track. Read "Road Wheel Weights Can Affect Your Vehicle's Show...and Go" to see how lighter wheels can affect a vehicle's ability to accelerate, brake and corner.

Keep in mind that the above tire sizes are custom fit options, so whether or not you rub depends on a number of factors:

As we look through our comments in the log book, one that stands out is rear wheel spin as we try to accelerate to the next corner. We’ve worked on the KW coil-over suspension to try and increase rear end grip, and even tried different tires, settling on the Hankook Ventus R-S3. And while this has helped, at most event sites we can still slide the rear exiting medium to high speed corners, resulting in sideways motion without forward progress. A look at the data stream from our onboard Race Technology data logger shows the OE Mazda diff still allows some single wheel spin, and we’re getting inside wheelspin and not just sliding both rears.

So we turned to the guys at OS Giken, makers of some tricky driveline parts and the OS Super Lock LSD. This tunable limited slip diff allows the rear end to lock smoothly with power application, and can be tuned to have different lock rates during acceleration and deceleration.

To simplify our installation and allow us the opportunity to try some back to back testing, we sourced a separate diff carrier to install the Giken unit in. This allowed us to simply swap out the pre-loaded diff housing in about 2.5 hours, with the help of a co-worker’s lift. Some things shouldn’t be done on the garage floor.



















After a few break in miles, Project STR driver Chris Harvey joined the fun with the Windy City Miata Club to get an initial read on how the freshly installed OS Giken limited slip differential works. The competitors enjoyed great courses and lots of runs as they battled to reduce time throughout the day. Chris piloted the Project STR MX5 to the quickest time of the day for all Mazda's entered and 2nd overall for the event, just a few tenths behind a well prepped and driven BMW M3 running on ultra-grippy Hoosier autocross tires.

Next up for Project STR will be the SCCA Great Lakes Division Championship event held at Grissom AFB in Peru, IN, August 6th and 7th.  

A complete coil over system is one solution to improve your vehicle’s performance.

The system combines springs, shocks and bump stop into one assembly. The coil-over set-up is similar to a race set-up in that it allows tuning of the vehicle through ride height adjustment. Coil overs often use an adjustable spring perch that allows for different vehicle ride heights without changing the springs.

Springs encompass the shock and bump stop, working to minimize bounce that occurs during driving. Shocks help control suspension movement while bump stops keep your vehicle suspension parts from coming in contact with the vehicle’s frame.

More information on suspension terminology can be found here:

“Understanding Basic Suspension Terminology” 

My dad called last night and said, "your mom's car is shaking again..." He immediately thought that the Goodyear Assurance TripleTread tires that were approaching 50,000 miles must be getting old.

Back Story: She just had suspension work done. She had her struts and shocks replaced, a front half shaft, front wheel bearing and THEN an alignment. I, of course, first thought the mechanic's work may be the culprit, because that has been the case before. But then I thought about it, she's got the new parts on her car and the vehicle did drive smoothly for about three days before the steering wheel started to shake. So I ran out to the garage and got my torque wrench and off I went to try and torque her lug nuts. Every single lug needed to be torqued. I set my wrench around 90-100 lbs., and all of them had at least 25-40 degrees of rotation, with one so loose that it would have surely fallen off today. Took it out for a ride and smooth as silk.

Always check your lug nuts a day or two after a tire has been removed, and re-torque them. It is very important. If I wouldn't have done that, she would have lost a wheel and sheared off most of her lug bolts on the front passenger side within a few days and most likely wrecked her car.

Tire Rack and Grassroots Motorsports are excited to announce our drivers/test team will be returning in the 2010 Mazda MX-5 for another season of SCCA Solo competition and STR vehicle development. 2010’s competition success exceeded our expectations as the car and drivers scored:

• Three divisional championships
• Two ProSolo class wins
• Second place overall in the year-end ProSolo class standings
• Two Tire Rack SCCA National Championship trophy positions (6th and 9th of 51)
• STRL Tire Rack SCCA National Championship

The results were accomplished by resisting the temptation to throw all the go-fast parts at the car at the beginning of the season. Instead, we followed a systematic approach of installing and testing the major component changes so we could share the real world gains with readers along the way.

Plans are already in place for more car development and product testing -- a wet and dry extreme performance tire shootout, a brake pad comparison, further suspension changes and by popular demand, a heavy versus light weight wheel track test.

Do you have additional SCCA Solo-related comparisons you would like to see tested? Myths to bust or confirm? Give us your ideas below.

Michelin, Bridgestone, and Goodyear have recently started producing low rolling resistance tires to help improve fuel economy. Many think that rolling resistance is a simple thing to evaluate and to place some form of numeric rating on. Regrettably, it is not that easy. There are many things that can affect the rolling resistance of a tire: tire tread compound, rotational mass, weight of the vehicle and the passengers in it, even ambient air temperature. But there are other areas that also affect the efficiency of the vehicle: proper engine maintenance, correct alignment, properly functioning suspension components, and of course the type of driver you are. Many people tend to ignore the overall vehicle, even with the hybrids, and try to follow the hype about tires being the great robber of a vehicle's efficiency. If you take the exact same tires and place them on the same exact cars but the cars are driven by two different types of drivers then you will find the efficiency rating will always be different.

     
Goodyear Assurance
featuring Fuel Max Technology     Bridgestone Ecopia EP422         Michelin Energy Saver A/S

When we tested the low rolling resistance tires, I thought the ride quality tended to feel stiffer than a standard tire and the traction level nowhere near as good. In my own opinion, the wet traction was seriously lacking in all of the low rolling resistance tires compared to standard tires. So when it comes to the tires that my family drives on, I will always looks for traction and safety above all else, and would rather give up on efficiency to achieve a higher level of traction.

You can read more about rolling resistance in the tech articles below:

Tire Rolling Resistance Part 1: Understanding Corporate Average Fuel Economy

Tire Rolling Resistance Part 2: Defining Rolling Resistance

Tire Rolling Resistance Part 3: Changes to Expect When Switching from Worn-Out to New Tires

When it comes to picking out new tires, you can't venture a guess. The purchase must be educated, and it must make sense. Your safety on the road, after all, depends on it. So at Tire Rack, we offer a few different ways to reach a purchase decision. The easiest of which is to shop by vehicle.

When you enter your vehicle's make, model and year into our search tool, we will generate a list of tires that perfectly match your vehicle. It's a list that will offer Original Equipment and performance upgrade options, and it can be slimmed down by simply selecting your ideal performance categories. Every tire on your final list is accompanied by links to complete product descriptions, test results, tire reviews, specifications and warranty information.

We think it's the most complete way to search for a tire, especially if you don't know what you're looking for. But if you do know exactly what you want, you just need to find it in a size that fits your vehicle, you can search by tire size. The resulting list will match the tire size you selected, though it won't be specific to any particular vehicle. In this case, always check with a sales specialist if there's any doubt. We want your new tires to fit perfectly!

And finally, if you're in the market for more than just tires, we recommend you use our Upgrade Garage. Not only will we recommend vehicle-specific tires, we'll take it a few steps further. You can see everything we have that would fit on your vehicle. Think wheels, brakes, suspension, wiper blades and more. And the best part—the Upgrade Garage also creates a virtual representation of your vehicle, which allows you to actually see what certain wheels would look like. (Also read "Why Shop for Wheels by First Selecting a Vehicle?")

So really, the search method is up to you. Determine your needs, then search accordingly.

And as always, our sales specialists are on-hand and ready to help should you need it.

As our 2010 Mazda MX-5 autocross project continues to evolve, we’ve been hard at work on Project STR, installing and testing suspension components and adding some go-fast graphics.

We’ve also tried to answer the question about what tire and wheel size produces the quickest lap times. One thing we did confirm is that what feels good isn’t always fast, and what’s fast doesn’t always feel good.  The MX-5 has been a great test bed to find out what fits, and what works. A full report will appear in the next issue of Grassroots Motorsports magazine.

Meanwhile, the battle for the top positions in the SCCA’s Street Touring Roadster class are turning out to be intense, with just a few tenths of a second separating the trophy positions at most SCCA National level events this season. The Toledo ProSolo was no exception with the margin of victory for Project STR driver Chris Harvey coming in at a scant .087 seconds over runner-up Jason Wong in his well-prepped Honda S2000. Just .389 seconds back was David Corsaro, piloting his Honda S2000 CR to third place.

Along with finding ways to make the car go faster, another fundamental part of this project is keeping the car streetable. To that end, our driver, Chris Harvey, drove 250 miles to and from the event on the same Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec tires and Kosei K1TS wheels he raced on—just like we did for the Peru National Tour two weeks earlier. No tire change at the event was needed. The rest of our gear for the weekend was packed into the car. Chris’s only complaint: what to do with all of his spare time at the event. Could going fast get any easier?

Tire Rack not only sells tires, but has a large selection of suspension parts for your vehicles.

We carry Eibach Springs, H&R Springs, Bilstein Shocks and Koni Shock Absorbers just to mention a few.

Eibach lowering springs give your vehicle a great look and maintain good ride quality while enhancing cornering performance. So if you are looking to give your vehicle a more sporty look and at the same time improve its handling, you should consider Eibach.

Please check out all of our suspension products.

Worn chassis parts are often-overlooked ¬causes of tire wear, steering and handling problems, and even road noise. It may not always be apparent, but as your vehicle ages and your mileage increases, strut mounts will deteriorate.

When struts are being replaced (especially on high mileage vehicles), you should also replace the strut mounts to help restore the vehicle’s ride quality. In most cases, if the struts are worn out, the mounts will probably be worn out, too. In some cases, the mounts will actually come apart when the struts are removed!

KYB Strut Mounts are not just a simple mounting point for the top end of the strut. They act as a pivot for the steering mechanism to provide smooth steering response. Worn mounts can hurt ride control and safety as well as produce squeaks, rattles and vibration noise. Mount wear depends on the type of driving you do and the vehicle you drive.

The symptoms of a worn or damaged strut mount are:
• Noise when steering such as snapping, popping, creaking or groaning sounds.
• Suspension noise such as clunking or rattling on uneven roads.
• Increased steering effort brought on by binding in the mount bearing.
• Steering snaps back, caused by a frozen upper strut bearing assembly and spring wind up.
• Poor steering return where the car doesn’t straighten after ­turning due to binding in the upper mount.

Strut Boots:
As with strut mounts, it’s a good idea to replace strut boots whenever the struts are replaced. Strut boots protect the strut by keeping leak-causing dirt and debris away from polished strut shafts. In addition, the built-in travel-limiting bumper in the boot prevents the strut from bottoming out.

KYB Strut Boots feature a "bellows" type boot that provides protection from dirt and moisture by covering the piston rod. They include an integral compression bumper that is bonded to the bellows to act as a "bump stop" that helps prevent metal-to-metal contact of the suspension during severe impacts.

New KYB Strut Boots and Bumpers are easy to install and provide a low cost insurance that protects the struts from dirt, moisture and severe impacts.

Superlift Suspension Systems literally take you to the next level with exceptional, high quality suspension parts built specifically to lift trucks a little higher off the ground. At Tire Rack, we offer the Superlift Level-It Kit that works with Original Equipment suspension components to achieve modest ride height gains. And by modest, we mean 1.5 to 3.5 inches of additional height.

All components of the kit are engineered to provide a precise fit, and you'll use one of three methods depending on your vehicle's existing suspension system: strut extensions, torsion keys or coil spacers. All install in a relatively short amount of time. too. Of course, you'll want to shop by vehicle to make sure this kit is right for you.

See a tire or wheel package you would like to put on your truck or SUV but you do not have enough clearance for them to fit properly? Superlift and Traxda makes suspension lift kit or sometime it's called a leveling kit that will give you a little more clearance that you are looking for. These kits are designed to lift the front suspension to level the vehicle. On most trucks or SUV the clearance problem is the front, the rear usually have plenty of clearance. The kits work with factory suspension components to achieve modest ride height gains. Installation is straight forward and normally inexpensive. If you only need 1"-3' of clearance these kit will do the job. The Superlift and Traxda lift systems utilize one of three methods to achieve increased ride height depending on the vehicle’s suspension design. With the Coil Spacers system it allowed me to be able to put 33" tires on my Toyota 4Runner and I was able to install the kit in my own garage. Note that some special tools are required and this should only be attempted by a qualified person with experience.

 

 

Strut Extension - Most late-model 1/2-ton trucks and SUVs utilize a coilover strut for the front suspension; the shock and coil spring are together in one compact unit. A simple strut extension is utilized on these applications. This involves adding an application-specific spacer to the top of the factory strut assembly. This method does not preload the factory coil spring (which would degrade ride quality) or over-extend the factory shock. No modifications to factory-installed parts are required and no time-consuming dis-assembly of the factory strut is needed. The strut extension is easily removable should the vehicle need to be returned to stock, and some applications include modified extension stops if needed. Level-It strut extensions are the most cost-effective and efficient way to level the stance of your late-model truck.

  

 

 

STRUT EXTENSION FEATURES

Mounts on top of the factory strut assembly Allows the use of plus-size wheels / tires Easy installation and removal – no strut dis-assembly required Ideal for restoring height lost from heavy front bumper / winch combos Enhances appearance by leveling the stance of the vehicle 10.9 grade metric hardware included Limited Lifetime Warranty

   

Torsion Keys - Vehicles equipped with torsion bars have a certain amount of adjustment built into the factory system. This suspension height adjustment takes place via a bolt that indexes on a torsion key attached to each torsion bar. Simply “cranking up” the factory system is not the right way to go about gaining minor amounts of lift due to a number of factors. Level-It torsion keys are direct replacements for the factory pieces but feature different torsion bar indexing. The forged-steel keys are 25% stronger than the cast factory pieces, and when necessary new metric hardware is supplied to prevent “over-cranking” the bars. Shock extension and mounting tool adapters are also included with some applications.

  

TORSION KEY FEATURES

Heavy-duty forged steel construction is 25% stronger than OEM keys Provided 1.5” to 2.5” of adjustable lift height Designed to grab the “flat” of the torsion bar for a tighter fit High-gloss powder coated finish Shock extensions included with some applications 10.9 grade metric hardware included Limited Lifetime Warranty

 
 

 

Coil Spring Spacers / Block Kits - Applications that utilize a coil spring front suspension utilize a coil-spring spacer to achieve lift. In most 4WD applications, this spacer is constructed from laser-cut steel and mounts on top of the factory coil. Most 2WD vehicles utilize a steel-encased urethane spacer that will not deteriorate or decrease ride height over time. Both designs ensure silent operation as the suspension cycles. When necessary, shock extensions are also included. With some of the taller lift heights (3" to 3-1/2"), the amount of lift exceeds the factory rake. This results in a slightly rear-low stance that is popular in some areas. However, for those that want to maintain a level stance, or the traditional rear-high stance, a variety of different block kits are available to suit every taste or preference. All block kits are sold separately.

  

 

COIL SPACER / BLOCK KIT FEATURES

Steel-encased urethane spacer construction will not deteriorate or decrease ride height over time Urethane provides a smooth and quiet ride Some spacer kits include shock extensions Lift blocks include OEM features for proper spring pad engagement and bump stop function Block kits include U-bolts and hardware Limited Lifetime Warranty

   

Now you may use your PayPal account to Buy Tires Online at Tire Rack. All you have to do is go to Tire Rack and let us know what you want and we'll send it your way.

Get your Performance Tires, Wheels, Brakes, Suspension Parts, Windshield Wiper Blades and much more at Tire Rack using your Pay Pal account.

Tire Rack now accepts PayPal for all your tire and wheel needs. Buy tires and pay your preferred way!

And since we're talking tires, check out our summer tire selection and our current special offers for discounts on tires, wheels and Suspension Parts!

One of the most over-driven parts on a modern vehicle is the shocks. In most cases, you can feel the difference from a used and new shock with only 40,000 miles on the vehicle. In many cases, people will go more than 100k without changing their shocks and struts. So if you are looking for a smoother ride or better constitution through the corners, replacing the dampers may be for you!

When looking to replace your dampers (generic name for shock absorber) there are a few things you need to keep in mind. First, are you planning on using the stock springs or lowering the vehicle? It is vitally important that you match the spring's ride height with a proper damper. 

The next thing to consider is the mounts. If you have struts, many times there are bearings in the mounts because a strut is a damper that handles some of the duties of the suspension (more than just controlling shock... they may be part of the actual steering mechanism or camber adjustment).  It is always recommended to change the mount if you can on the front of your vehicle, and often recommended on the rear as well, especially if you are in the snow belt (rust issues).

So go ahead and get started. Enter your vehicle info and get moving along. A smooth ride awaits!

Hi! I have worked at Tire Rack for over 13 years. Part of my job is to test the tires we sell on both the highway and on our test track where I push the tires to their limits in both dry and wet conditions. I test all kinds of tires from Standard Touring All-Season tires, High Performance All-Season tires to Extreme Performance Summer tires. Some of my favorites are the Bridgestone and Firestone performance tires that handle great even in wet. By testing tires I am able to inform customers about the differences in handling as well as noise and comfort levels. I have even tested snow and ice tires in an ice rink!

If you drive a BMW, Porsche, Acura, Ford Mustang, Chevy Camaro, SUV, mini-van, pick-up truck or anything in between, I can put you into the best tire and price for you and your vehicle.

Tire Rack also carries a large selection of aftermarket wheels that will enhance the appearance and handling of your vehicle in addition to brake pads and rotors as well as suspension parts.

So why ask Henry about tires? The answer is his over 13 years of tire testing experience. During those 13 years I have seen great improvements in all brands of the tires we sell. Visit our website and if you have any questions please contact me at 800-461-5527 ext. 351 and I will be happy to discuss your tire needs.