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You may not have heard of French car marker Citroën, but they pioneered an unusual and pretty amazing dynamic suspension system that offered sublime ride quality. The company created 'Hydropneumatic' suspension in 1954 and the principles behind it are still in use today on automobiles, plane landing gear and even tanks.  What is it? Citroën completely re-invented the concept of traditional spring based suspension. A hydropneumatic suspension system doesn't have a spring of any sort. Instead, the shock absorbing spring is replaced with a sphere that has an internal diaphragm creating 2 halves. On one side, you have hydraulic fluid, on the other, a gas such as Nitrogen. The sphere is connected to a...

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The suspension is a safety critical system on any car, but when it comes to a track car or one that has been modified for improved performance, it is even more crucial. When the suspension gives way, it is often with dramatic and catastrophic results. These videos underline the importance of buying your shocks from a trusted company and regularly maintaining them.  Click on the title to view the video! BMW 325 IS Suspension Failure at Road America Tim Schreyer's BMW 325 is running well and sounds amazing at Road America. He accelerates down the straight between turns 7 and 8 and brakes hard for...

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The shock absorber, or more correctly, damper, is a hydraulic or pneumatic device that operates up to 1900 times per mile to stabilize a vehicle's handling and generate as much contact between the road and tires as possible.  Without a shock absorber fitted, your springs would contract and expand continually till the energy stored in them is dissipated. This would make for one hell of a bouncy ride, with handling that is completely unpredictable.  A brief history of the Shock Absorber  Early cars were fitted with friction disc dampers, which were incredibly basic and shook passengers to the core. These were made up of interconnected arms that...

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A road going car's suspension will operate several dozens if not hundred times per minute depending on the road surface. The demands placed on track car suspension is even greater, with movements performed at higher speeds and with more force.  The difference between good and bad suspension could be a noticeable drop in lap times or handling. As the suspension is the only thing pressing your wheels into contact with the road, you want to make sure you choose wisely when purchasing. When selecting suspension for your track car, you should determine whether the company includes a warranty, find out if you can source...

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The SEMA Auto show is the place for custom car builders to show off what they've been working on. Here's a look at some of the more unusual builds and the suspension that underpins them. Rad Rides 1929 Ford Model A Tudor This restored Ford Model A has a bespoke suspension set up, giving it that low-rider look. The suspension was machined in-house at Rad Rides. Radius arms operate hidden torsion bars that are concealed within the chassis frame. The result is a super clean appearance and adjustable ride height.  Torsion bars are extremely compact and take up minimal space. Using them also allows...

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