The springs on your 2006 Ford F-150 react to bumps, ruts and other road irregularities, cushioning the impact. Struts and shocks control spring movement, isolating the cabin from vibration, preventing excessive body movement and keeping the tire tread in contact with the road, for optimal traction and control. Your OE shocks and struts are fine for cruising, but don’t have the damping calibration to provide the stability necessary for performance driving. Our performance shocks and struts control suspension motion at speed so you have the traction and control you need to go faster and corner harder.
Shocks and struts, collectively called dampers, have pistons that move up and down inside hydraulic fluid cylinders. As the pistons move up and down in response to suspension movement, the hydraulic fluid is forced through small passages and valves in the pistons that resist oil flow, thereby damping spring oscillation and controlling suspension movement. The energy of the spring is turned into heat by the damper. Compression damping affects the spring when the vehicle hits a bump and it compresses, rebound damping controls the spring when it expands and forces the tire back down, after the bump.
Properly designed shocks and struts have valving for all stages of piston movement, from short and gentle travel as would be encountered with minor road irregularities to rapid and lengthy travel caused by potholes. However, OE and ordinary replacement shocks and struts are compromises, with damping that is usually biased toward a smooth ride. When a vehicle is driven hard with such components, the rapid movement of the pistons within the dampers causes the hydraulic fluid to foam and overheat, drastically reducing their ability to control suspension movement. This can result in excessive body roll and dive, unequal tire grip, and poor vehicle control. In contrast, our performance shocks and struts are designed for spirited driving, especially when paired with higher rate performance coil springs.
