November 4, 2008 - ROUSH® Ford Mustang Trak Pak Suspension System:

Roush has released a new Ford Mustang Trak Pak Suspension System for the 2005-2009 Ford Mustangs.

This system has been developed in part with thousands of hours of testing on the track and the street. The springs and dampers have been specially tuned for race track use, featuring high tensile strength linear rate springs with tender coils.

The package is also adjustable, in terms of rebound, camber plate angle (up to 3 degrees of negative camber), and ride height, allowing you to change your suspension settings when going between track and street use. The kit includes front and rear adjustable dampers, matching elastomer jounce bumpers, front and rear springs, front and rear jounce bumpers, and camber plates.

September, 2008 - Dodge Police Charger ESP PDF Brochure:

The new Dodge Police Chargers will be using Chrysler's ESP Technology for better control and handling, which includes all-speed traction control.

For maximum vehicle control, the Dodge Charger Police Vehicle is equipped with an exclusive electronic Stability Program (ESP). (3) Specially calibrated for police use, ESP electronically detects and automatically assists drivers in critical driving situations, including adverse conditions. ESP works by constantly comparing the driver’s intended course with the vehicle’s actual course, detecting differences, applying the brakes to individual wheels, and controlling engine power to help keep the vehicle on its intended path.

ESP components include:

• anti lock Brake System (ABS)
• all-speed traction control
• Yaw Sensor
• Steering angle Sensor

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September, 2008 - Bilstein BTS Suspension Kit for 2005-2008 Mustangs:

Bilstein will be releasing sometime in the next few months a new BTS Suspension kit for the new 2005-2008 Ford Mustangs.

The kit includes front struts, rear shocks, and a Bilstein spring set. Notice the massive 36mm piston on the front units !

Bilstein's are OE Equipment on everything from Ferraris to Ford Lightning F150s, so you can just imagine how well they will work on a Mustang.

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September, 2008 - SPICER, McQuay-Norris Bolster Lines with 246 New Part Numbers:

"SPICER Chassis products (the official chassis provider to Joe Gibbs Racing) and McQuay-Norris have done the research and given their customers what they want – more coverage in two of the fastest growing categories in the chassis market today.

SPICER Professional Grade® chassis parts and McQuay-Norris chassis parts are manufactured by Affinia Global Brake & Chassis of McHenry, Ill., a global supplier of top quality automotive components for under vehicle applications. The SPICER Chassis and McQuay-Norris product lines are the most extensive on the market and include tie rod ends, ball joints, idler arms and alignment products for both domestic and foreign vehicles.

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September, 2008 - Steeda Full-Length Sub frame Connectors - 1979-2004s:

"Steeda's Full length sub frame connectors have been improved with a new one-piece reinforced cross brace. Some subframe cross braces have 8 individual gussets which must be carefully positioned and welded on. Still other kits use no reinforcements at all. Steeda cross braces now have reinforcing gussets built-in, for greater strength with less welding.

These true full-length connectors run the entire length of the floor pan for increased chassis rigidity, better handling and improved ride. The beefy 1.25 by 2 inch connectors are perfect for serious cars with high horsepower, sticky tires or competition suspension. They are reinforced at each bend and include Steeda’s exclusive torque box reinforcing plate for a stronger attachment to the rear subframe..."

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September, 2008 - Tenneco Acquires Gruppo Marzocchi's Suspension Business:

"Tenneco (Monroe Shocks & Struts, Rancho, DNX) has completed its acquisition of the suspension business of Gruppo Marzocchi, an Italian-based worldwide leader in supplying suspension technology and products in the two-wheeler market.

The Marzocchi brand is one of the leading names in the two-wheeler market with a strong customer base that includes a number of manufacturers like BMW, Ducati, Harley Davidson, MV Agusta, the Piaggio Group and others. Tenneco also supplies ride and emission control components to this market, providing exhaust systems to Harley Davidson and BMW.."

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August, 2008 - Steeda Adjustable Suspension System - Ford Mustangs 2005-2009:

"The front coil over system is designed to use Steeda's exclusive upper strut mount kit which eliminates the weak factory upper spring perch which is prone to “popping” with increased spring rates and provides +/- 1 degree of camber adjustment not available with the factory mount. The rear system features ride height adjusters for the rear of the vehicle which accept a coil over style spring, and Tokico D-spec shocks.

Two complete kits are available depending on whether you have our current strut mount kit, which only requires replacing the upper spring cup, or you have the factory strut mount which requires Steeda's complete new upper strut mount kit..."

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August, 2008 - Tenneco (Monroe) to Supply CES Shock Absorbers on New Volvo XC60s:

"Tenneco (Monroe Shocks & Struts, Rancho, DNX) has been awarded new ride control business from Volvo. The company will supply its Continuously Controlled Electronic Suspension (CES) shock absorbers as optional components of the Interactive Vehicle Dynamic Control Four-C Chassis on the new Volvo XC60.."

CES is a semi-active suspension system that changes the feel of a vehicle’s ride by continuously adjusting the shock absorber damping levels to driver inputs, road conditions and vehicle dynamics like speed and cornering. Tenneco developed the system together with Ohlins Racing. Tenneco manufactures the CES shock absorbers at its Ermua, Spain, facility.

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August, 2008 - Raybestos to Offer 'Rookie Racing School's:

"Raybestos - Pro race drivers - whether it’s in NASCAR® or on the IndyCar® circuit - rely on Raybestos® brand brakes, the simple choice. That’s why Raybestos®, in partnership with WIX® filters, has decided to reward loyal customers with the Raybestos Rookie Racing School so they can find out first hand why Raybestos® is the Best in Brakes.

“The events are designed to show the durability of Raybestos® quality parts that are now being used in NASCAR® and IndyCar® events,” said Wally Marciniak, Affinia’s Director of Technical Services. “We outfitted the cars with the exact same parts customers order and install every day – no ‘one offs.’”

The Raybestos Rookie Racing School kicks off the inaugural season at the Waterford Hills Road Course in Clarkston, Mich. on Aug. 18. This road racing venue provides the perfect workout for both the attendees and the special race-prepped Ford Mustang GT's. Upcoming classes will be held in Chicago (Sept. 4), New Jersey (Sept. 18), Las Vegas (Sept. 22), Talladega (Oct. 6) and Charlotte (Oct. 13).

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August, 2008 - Deeza Chassis Parts to Add More Than 560 New Part Numbers:

"Deeza Chassis Parts, a subsidiary of European chassis parts maker Disa Automotive, will add more than 560 new enhanced-design parts to its product offering for North America..."

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August, 2008 - Jack ROUSH Stage 3™ Ford Mustang Suspension Kit:

"Give your Mustang the ultimate in road-ready suspension with the ROUSH Stage 3™ Suspension Kit. Previously, this vaunted suspension package was only available as part of a ROUSH Stage 3 vehicle build, but now anyone with a 2005 to 2009 Ford Mustang can feel what a 1G lateral skid pad rating can give you on the daily drive..."

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August, 2008 - KYB Launches Annual "Feeling is Believing" Promotion:

"This August and September, KYB is once again launching its annual 'Feeling is Believing' promotion. Participating service providers will receive certificates for discounts off future KYB purchases when they purchase and install KYB shocks or struts between Aug. 1 and Sept. 30. Service providers participating in “Feeling is Believing” will also receive a variety of new point of sale items to assist them in selling more shocks and struts.."

See your nearest KYB installer for details.

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July 2008 - AMN - ArvinMeritor Reports $340 Million Increase in Third Quarter Sales:

"ArvinMeritor has reported financial results for its third quarter ended June 30. The company has reported sales of $2 billion - approximately $340 million higher than the same period last year. Net income was $44 million, or 60 cents per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $70 million, or 99 cents per diluted share, in the third quarter of fiscal year 2007..."

Among other components, Arvinmeritor manufacturers aftermarket suspension parts, including Gabriel Shocks and Struts, OE Steel Wheels, and Active, Electronic, and Adaptive Suspension Systems.

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July 2008 - Tenneco Announces $12 Million in New Annual North America Aftermarket Business:

"Tenneco Inc. announced that it has won new aftermarket business in North America that is expected to generate approximately $12 million in revenue annually.
The new business – which includes ride control (Monroe Shocks & Struts, Rancho, DNX) , exhaust (Walker, Thrush) and Monroe Brake Products – generated initial orders worth $6 million of revenue in the second quarter 2008. Tenneco expects to record approximately a $7 million charge associated with changing over new customers in the second quarter..."

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November 2007 - Super Street Article:

I find a lot of car magazines don't publish much on suspensions. Fortunately, in this day and age, there are a (very) few who do. And I don't mean putting air shocks on a POS 1950's chevy.

Over the last few years I have found that the "Tuner" magazines (the term "Tuner" is getting outdated, I know, but to give you an idea of what I am talking about, let's use it here) typically always write at least one article on a suspension subject.

The November issue of Super Street has one that just plain catches my attention and really brings some ideas to the top. The "project car" is a Nissan 240SX. Granted, it's a race car (Those that know me know I find street setups more of my favorite passion and challenge), but that aside, let's get down to the suspension.

This article is about a Tanabe product, Sustec Pro DDs. A coil-over. (again, remember, it's a race car). Yes, the product has the normal height adjustability, a (new) 16-scale adjustment ability, common for CO's. But what is really hot is the TEAS (Tanabe Electric Active Suspension) controller.

This little work of art let's you dial in the dampening from inside the car. While "electronic" suspensions have been around for decades, this controller is digital and PROGRAMMABLE. Cool stuff. See their site.

The article goes over the various settings and because it's being tested (thrashed?) on a real car, it's reliable, good tech information.

Check it out if you come across the magazine.