By Daren Foertsch

When you crack open that box of coilovers, shocks or a lift kit, it’s easy to let excitement take over—but rushing through installation is a recipe for crooked ride height, premature wear and handling you can’t trust.

Start off first with a quick visual and hands-on inspection of every pivot point. It doesn’t matter how nice your new suspension is, worn tie-rod ends or collapsed control-arm bushings will leave you chasing steering vagueness and uneven tire wear. Swap out any crusty looking joints or bushings before you unbox the rest of your kit, and you’ll be building on a rock-solid foundation.

Once you've got your new shocks and springs are snugly torqued, the temptation is to pin it down the road—but every inch of lift or drop you add changes camber and toe angles. Even if your vehicle looks like it sits perfectly in your driveway, incorrect geometry will eat through tires, sap straight-line stability and undermine any gains in cornering. Investing in a professional alignment is the way to go here; buy once, cry once.

A 2-inch leveling kit paired with factory shocks might look harmless on paper, but mismatched valving will reward you with floaty rebound or harsh bottom-outs. Our suspension packages take the guesswork out of it by matching springs; when you bolt on a matched coil/spring setup or air-ride setup with the right air-management accessories, you’re guaranteed predictable response from the first mile.

Not torquing everything down enough is asking for rattles and play; over-torquing risks stripped threads and warped mounting points. Check your vehicle’s service manual for torque specifications. Trust the wrench, not your gut—precision here pays off in quiet, safe and secure operation.

Adjustable coilovers and helper-bag springs offer incredible versatility, but the magic is in the details. Start with zero preload collars or air-bag pressures, then measure corner-to-corner ride heights. Tiny adjustments—measured in millimeters or a few PSI—add up to perfectly balanced stance and consistent handling. Take your time, break for lunch between rounds of tweaking and re-measuring, and you’ll lock in the look and performance you envisioned.

With everything torqued, aligned and adjusted, resist the urge to head straight for your favorite canyon road. Instead, take a ride around the block; roll over small bumps, then firmer potholes, apply gentle acceleration and braking, and ease through a few low-speed turns. After 2 or 3 miles, check every fastener and inspect air-line fittings for leaks if you’re on air. This methodical shake-down is the final safety net before pushing your suspension to its limits.

Taking a few extra minutes at each stage; inspection, alignment, component matching, torque control, preload dialing and shakedown—transforms suspension installation from a gamble into a precision project. Legends Auto Parts has the right parts, and the expertise to ensure your ride isnt just dialed, but Legendary.