For the 2008 model year, Nissan’s Frontier pickup returns with some changes which include new Nissan shocks.

The Frontier shares platforms with the Xterra and Pathfinder sport-utility vehicles, which essentially ride on a modified version of the fully boxed, ladder frame used on the full-size Armada SUV and Titan pickup. The truck comes in either rear- or four-wheel drive and in four-door King Cab and Crew Cab versions. The former configuration includes front-hinged rear access doors and flip-up back seats, while the latter comes with conventional rear-hinged doors and a full-sized bench seat.

Two engines are now being offered. The optionally available 4.0-liter V-6 puts out 261 horsepower, while the standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder develops 152 horsepower. Five or six-speed manual transmissions are available, as is a five-speed automatic transmission.

A “high-utility” pickup bed includes both a factory-applied spray-in bedliner and a “Utili-track” cargo tie-down system. Hill Start Assist and Hill Descent Control testify to the Frontier’s off-roading credentials and serious enthusiasts will want to check out the NISMO off-road package, which adds skid plates, an upgraded suspension with Bilstein shocks, electronic locking rear differential and knobby-style tires.

Standard Frontier features include four-wheel disc anti-lock brakes and tire pressure monitors. A limited-slip differential, leather seats, a high-powered Rockford Fosgate audio system, and a choice of either XM or Sirius satellite radio can be ordered optionally.

For 2008, the four-cylinder models can be ordered in ritzier SE trim; they had only been available in lesser XE trim last year. A Technology Package with Bluetooth and XM is available on NISMO and LE trims. And LE models now get a power cloth driver seat.

One recent article considers Eibach Springs as one of the best in suspension parts replacements. It is true that suspension plays an important role in a vehicle, and looking for the right replacement should not be taken lightly. Suspensions are crucial to a car if one would take into consideration that not all roads are of perfect quality; some are really in bad shape and only with the best suspensions will anyone reduce as much as possible the damage that the bumps will do to your car.

With Eibach Springs’ very long history in suspension development, they offer the best car springs on the market; that is way more and more people are buying their products. They offer springs not only for cars but also for motorcycles, ATV’s, snowmobiles and others as well.

For cars, they offer lots of types of performance suspension kits that will improve your car’s behavior on the road and will make your long trips more comfortable. Their range of products is very large as they have parts for almost every car you could think of. Besides springs they also offer : anti-roll kits, dampers, alignment kits, wheel spacers, shocks and other products as well.

The market also offer other suspension components such as Tokico shocks and Bilstein shocks. There are also some that specifically targets a certain vehicle like Ford shocks and Audi shocks.

Acquiring some lowering springs will give your car a very special look that will certainly make a statement in traffic. Eibach Springs offer lots of such products which are more and more popular due to the fact that lowering your car surely makes your ride special. All of their products are ultra-lightweight so that the car’s weight won’t have to suffer, on the contrary, it will be lighter once you will install some of their high-performance springs. Quality is guaranteed thanks to the fact that each spring is tested individually, not to mention that their products are recognized to be some of the most durable products available.

Installing some Pro-Spacers your car will handle a lot better and it will look more attractive. The Pro-Spacers are made from high-strength aircraft-aluminum alloy and are strength-tested for all applications. Also, installing an anti-roll kit it will increase your car’s handling even more and also the cornering grip in any performance driving situation you could think of. Installing some dampers will improve the overall performance of the car without excessive stiffness or ride harshness .

A recent online column discussed some of the essential shocks repair and maintenance. One topic is if a 1997 Ford T-bird that is running fine would need new struts in the front and rear Ford shocks. A strut is just a single part that combines a shock absorber with a coil spring to save space. According to the article, only a mechanic would have the answer to that. A sure sign of replacement is when one of the shocks is leaking. The other sign of worn-out shocks is unusual tire wear. If the tires are cupping or scalloping, or have high and low spots on the tread surface, would often mean a sign of bad shocks.

The authors also suggested the reliable shock test. This is when the driver pushes down hard on one corner of the bumper and the car should come back up once and stop, and not bounce. If it goes up and down even a little bit, the shocks are worn out.

Shocks are highly important not only do they affect ride comfortability but also the safety of the driver and his/her passengers. Replacement shocks are widely available nowadays, like Bilstein shocks, Koni shocks and Tokico shocks.

The vehicle’s suspension system gives a comfortable ride in the vehicle, helping to keep the wheels in contact with the road. Many people put less consideration to shock absorbers because they are seldom seen. However, vehicle’s shock absorbers have a significant role in maintaining car control. Bilstein shocks ensure a comfortable ride and prolong the life of other components.

There are two usual types of automotive shock absorbers. It can be a gas-charged or conventional absorber. The movement of a piston within a cylinder is damped by the passing of oil through one or more orifices. In gas-charged shocks, pressurized nitrogen inside the shock helps prevent the formation of tiny air bubbles that reduce the effectiveness of the damping oil. This formation is called cavitation. The purpose of the shock absorber is to manage the movement of the suspension, while the action of the spring in particular, is to maintain stability of the chassis and body even while road irregularities have the wheels pumping up and down madly. As with the serious function of the shock absorber, it is one car component that really helps much in the car’s performance.

Bilstein shocks are intended to provide a specific amount of resistance whenever the wheels on the vehicle bounce up and down, or when the vehicle’s chassis leans while turning. Shocks can wear out in as little as 25,000 to 30,000 miles due to the constant motion of the car, truck or SUV. It is a very good idea to have shocks checked about once a year or so for the owner’s safety and ease.

If the ride is not so comfortable anymore, it is time to personally check the suspension system out or by some expert technicians. When checking the system alone, get on by using the hands and knees then look at the shocks. If there is any oil seeping, either on the outer tube or on the piston rod, then there is a need to replace the shocks. If the outer tube was dented, that shock is toast. One approach to investigate the effectiveness of the shock absorbers is to drive to a safe area like an empty parking lot, get up to about 10 mph, and then hit the brakes hard. When the vehicle comes to a stop and the front end keep bobbing like one of those sipping birds on the side of a glass, fresh shocks must be at hand. Stand at one corner of the vehicle and rapidly push down on it and let it go to compress and release the spring.

Other signs of bad shocks or struts or worn springs include a bouncy or uncomfortable ride, bottoming out and diving the front end of the vehicle. Additionally, there is a loss of control while making a sudden stop; the vehicle swerves more than normal while changing lanes, and vehicle sags in the front or in the rear.

It is better to use a high quality suspension system and avoid using cheap out old shocks because it will just literally increase the risk of driving the wheels off. Worn shocks increase braking distances, build up prematurely wear tires, and can hasten aquaplaning in the rain. There are other good quality replacements parts like Mercury shocks and these are all available online. It will be better to keep every part of the vehicle functions as it should be.