This section provides an overview for suspensions as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 7 suspension manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked suspension companies as of November, 2024: 1.Skyjacker Suspensions, 2.BMR Suspension, Inc., 3.Öhlins USA.
Table of Contents
A suspension is a crucial component in vehicles that connects the tires to the car body. It significantly influences ride quality by reducing the impact from road surfaces and maintaining the vehicle’s stability. The balance between driving stability and ride comfort can be adjusted based on the suspension settings. While commonly associated with cars and motorcycles, the term suspension also applies to vibration-absorbing mechanisms in various machines and equipment.
All automobiles and motorcycles are equipped with suspensions, as they connect the body and tires. Suspensions are also used in trains, tanks, bicycles, furniture, buildings, and wherever there is a need to soften and absorb impacts.
Suspensions typically consist of springs, shock absorbers, suspension arms, bushings, and upper mounts. Springs cushion tire impacts, while shock absorbers dampen the springs’ vertical movement, reducing impact transmission to the vehicle body. The hardness and dimensions of suspension components can be adjusted to modulate shock mitigation.
Suspensions are categorized into fixed-axle and independent types.
This suspension type connects the wheels on both sides with an axle. It is known for its simplicity, durability, easy maintenance, and low cost. However, it has the drawback of transmitting shocks from one wheel to the other. Fixed-axle suspensions are mainly used in commercial vehicles such as trucks and SUVs.
In this system, each wheel is connected to separate axles, reducing cross-wheel impact transmission and improving ride comfort. Independent suspensions are prevalent in front wheels of most cars and in high-end sports and racing cars.
Subcategories of independent suspensions include strut, multi-link, double wishbone, and swing arm.
A simpler, cost-effective type where trailing arms from both wheels are connected by a crossbeam. It offers intermediate shock absorption between rigid and independent types and is commonly used in compact cars and front-wheel-drive vehicles.
“Stiff” suspensions, characterized by rigid springs and high damper force, are preferred for racing cars where minimal body sway is desired. Conversely, “soft” suspensions with softer springs and lower damper force enhance ride comfort but may not be suitable for high-performance driving. The ideal suspension setup varies based on the vehicle’s purpose and required performance.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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BMR Suspension, Inc.,founded in 1998 and headquartered in Seffner, Florida, is a manufacturer of performance suspension and chassis parts. The company offers a diverse range of premium products, including control arms, subframe connectors, sway bars, and chassis bushings. The parts are designed to enhance vehicle performance, handling, and stability, making them ideal for automotive enthusiasts and racers. Whether on the track or the street, their products provide improved control, reduced wheel hop, and enhanced traction. It caters to various industries, primarily focusing on automotive, motorsports, and aftermarket vehicle modification for improved vehicle dynamics.
Skyjacker Suspensions, established in 197 by Lonnie and Nell McCurry and headquartered in West Monroe, is a manufacturer of suspension systems for the automotive industry. The company specializes in lift kits and suspension systems and manufactures leveling kits, steering stabilizers, brake lines, pitman arms, coil springs, and other accessories for trucks, SUVs, and Jeeps. Operating from an 80,000-square-foot manufacturing facility, the company features Rock Ready, Softride, and Flex Series products and shock lines, including Hydro, Nitro, Black MAX, and M95 Monotubes.
Öhlins USA, founded in 1997 and located in Hendersonville, North Carolina, is a motor vehicle parts manufacturer. It offers cartridge kits, front forks, and shock absorbers, as well as fork lowering kits and steering dampers. The company's products serve the automotive sectors and are also used in motorcycles, mountain bikes, and motorsports. The company distributes its products across the North and South America regions. It also provides suspension services, such as changing oil seals, dynamic seals, and O-rings.
ContiTech, established in 1871 with operations in more than 40 countries, is a manufacturer of rubber and plastic products serving the machine and plant engineering, mining, agriculture, and automotive markets. The company has numerous products, including air spring systems, anti-vibration systems, coated fabrics, compensators and connecting pipes, and conveyor belt systems. ContiTech, with over a century of experience, provides custom aggregate solutions to clients, including asset inventory management, assembly and installation tools, conveyor belt system consulting, and custom production.
HKS CO. LTD. is a Japanese manufacturer and distributor of aftermarket automotive parts as well as components established in 1973 and based in Fujinomiya, Shizuoka. The company offers a wide selection of aftermarket tuning products including exhaust manifolds and systems, electronic components such as boost controllers and turbo timers, vehicle-specific supercharger kits, and intercooler systems. It also offers carbon engine covers, fuel injectors, tool sets, blow-off valves, and body kits. The company's products are primarily used by tuning shops and car enthusiasts, with additional applications in major motorsports events such as Formula Drift Japan and Super GT.
Legend Suspensions, headquartered in Sturgis, South Dakota, has been a manufacturer of suspension systems since its establishment in 1998 by Jesse Jurrens. The product lineup includes air suspension lines, coil suspension lines, front-end suspension lines, and offroad UTV air suspension systems designed to suit a wide range of applications, spanning Harley-Davidson models, Yamaha Rhino, V-Twin, V-8 bikes, and trikes. The company products are utilized throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia, reaching customers via a network of dealers.
TEIN Inc., founded in 1985 and located in Yokohama, Japan, is a manufacturer and supplier of high-performance suspension systems for vehicle protection, lowering vehicle stance, increasing vehicle cycle, and enhancing track stability used by professional racing teams, tuners, and everyday drivers. The company offers various products, such as coil-overs, lowering springs, shock absorbers, and electronic damping systems. The company has earned certifications such as ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, and OHSAS 18001:2007.
Ranking as of November 2024
Derivation MethodRank | Company | Click Share |
---|---|---|
1 | Skyjacker Suspensions |
29.6%
|
2 | BMR Suspension, Inc. |
19.5%
|
3 | Öhlins USA |
15.9%
|
4 | HKS CO.,LTD |
10.8%
|
5 | TEIN inc. |
8.3%
|
6 | ContiTech Deutschland GmbH |
8.1%
|
7 | Legend Suspensions |
7.8%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the suspension page as of November 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
---|---|---|
United States of America | 3 | 50.0% |
Japan | 2 | 33.3% |
Germany | 1 | 16.7% |