Lowering a vehicle’s suspension is the most popular type of modification done today. It is done to increase the capability in handling performance and to possibly increase the visual appeal of the vehicle. Manipulating the vehicle’s suspension is required to get that urban sporty look. If you do not know how to lower a car suspension, then you are in the right article.
Let us begin!
Table of Contents
Why Lower A Car Suspension?
The main reason for lowering a car is as follows:
- Performance gain increases in terms of cornering
- Improves Comfort
- Enhances Aerodynamics
- Less Rollover Risk
- Looks Good
How To Lower A Car Suspension?
Every method has its pros and cons but lowering your car suspension differs from person to person according to one’s what are looking for.
- Lowering Link Kit
- Coil-Overs or Coil Springs
- Air Suspension
- Leaf Springs
- Hydraulic Cylinders
- Lower the Torsion Bar
So let us get into each of them in detail, and figure out how to lower a car suspension at home for free.
Lowering links
So buying a kit called “Lowering Links”, allows us to lower the vehicle straight from the factory but this is only exclusive to vehicles that have automatic OEM air suspension. It gives a fitment look that you want and has a similar sense of style as Air Lift or Accuair, except you only spend a few hundred bucks.
They are simple to install and affordable in the case in the future you’re looking forward to selling you can uninstall them easily. Lowering Links are just a sort of aesthetic pieces, they don’t increase any sort of performance. OEM has a limited scope or freedom of action in what it can and can’t do.
If you are looking for a quick solution by spending a few hundred dollars then lowering links is the easiest one. Lowering Links or springs are the free beta versions of a video game. This kit costs $400 to $ 500.
Coil-overs Or Coil Springs
Coil Springs are attached toA-frames or the axles they can be found on a car’s front or rear suspension. While lowering in car or vehicle suspension is probably still the most common modification that a lot of people do to their car. Coil-overs allow us to adjust the ride height and quality, it even allows us to adjust dampening indeed these are insanely versatile.
Coil-overs contain shock absorbers, which are surrounded by a coil spring that’s pretty much all it is and they usually come already installed. If they aren’t installed you can install them by customizing them by yourself, this allows you a lot of availability to dive into your car and understand how all this works.
If you’re planning on launching the car using drag or drift or autocross you need to set up your coil overs precisely for how you plan to drive the car to make them work effectively and efficiently. These springs cost an average of $300 to $400.
Steps for lowering suspension via Coil Springs:
1. You can replace these coil springs with shorter coil springs or you can your former coil springs to a mechanic shop and soften or shorten them a bit.
2. By using a cutting-wheel start cutting the coil slowly and steadily from the initial quarter and start incrementing the cuts as this is an everlasting action
Air Suspension
Air Suspension is the most popular style of suspension in the coming years. Air Suspension has prevailed for some time now. AMG, Audi A8 models had this for quite a long time. They have slipped into the aftermarket customization stuff because that’s how this automobile industry works. More options and tailored things are required in this industry.
Air Suspension does everything with the click of a button and allows you to get that look of being slammed on the road, it permits you to drive through speed bumps, and potholes. Air Suspension compromises a compressor, springs, pneumatic solenoid valves, height sensors, electronic control unit, air reservoir, airlines, and pressure sensor. This whole system allows you to put air pressure into bags that are in your front or rear struts.
The higher the car lifts, the more the air in the bag. When you get rid of that air your car loses pressure, it grants the car to come back down onto the ground. This air suspension kit is around $200 to $300
Leaf Springs
$95 to $170 is the cost of installation of leaf springs while replacing them costs $ 450 to $790 if you hire a professional. Steps for lowering suspension via Leaf Springs:
- Modify the vehicle’s leaf springs: Leaf Springs consist of each plate of steel strips combined, they need to tighten or strengthen more.
- Detach leaf springs from the rear suspension of your vehicle: Take your vehicle to a garage and tilt or bend the leaf springs like a curve or a trajectory
- By using a flip kit and placing blocks beneath the leaf springs the curve or drop can be made to a greater extent. With these kits, the vehicles drop extremely low this task needs to be done by a mechanic
Hydraulic Cylinders
Hydraulic Cylinders can be installed on all 4 suspensions corners of your car. Installing these hydraulic cylinders is not sufficient there is an additional burden of installing batteries, hydraulic pumps, and an internal control system to manage these pumps. The large bulk or amount of battery power is required for each of these hydraulic pumps is the major disadvantage of these cylinders
Lowering The Torsion Bar
Using Torsion Bar keys adjust the torsion bars of your car, this will sink your vehicle to the ground.$209 and $229 is the average cost of replacement of torsion bars.
Frequently Asked Questions-
So, here are some of the frequently asked questions about what is the cost, how you can lower a car on stock suspension, cheapest way to lower a car –
1. Can You Lower A Car On Stock Suspension?
: You can lower a car on stock suspension by using lowering springs which have the car’s OEM shock absorbers and this very cost-effective way of lowering a car.
2. How Much Does It Cost To Lower A Suspension?
: Cost to lower a suspension is between $300 and $1500.
3. Do I Need To Change My Shocks If I Lower My Car?
Yes, it is important or we can recommend changing shocks if you use lowering springs.
4. What Do Drop Shocks Do?
Drop shocks are made so that when it is paired with a lowering spring then it will have a full range of travel for the suspension.
5. How Do I Make My Car Look Lower Without Lowering It?
You can make your car look lower without lowering it by ” The Razor Lip ” which can give your vehicle a lower look without any cost of an arm and a leg.
6. Can Lower Car Cause Problems?
Yes, lowering a car could cause problems as it can put more stress on various steering system parts which can lead to more wear and premature failure.
7. What Is Lowered Suspension?
Lowered Suspension makes the car sit closer to the ground and increases stability during emergency manoeuvres.
8 . How Do You Reduce Drag On A Car?
1. Lifting It — “an inch of increased ride height decreases the coefficient of drag by almost 10 drag counts.
2. Then you should add wider tires.
9.Can You Install Lowering Springs Yourself?
You can install lowering springs yourself which are designed to work with your existing factory suspension and can simply replace your coil springs.
Conclusion
Now that you know how to lower a car suspension, you need to see the pros and cons of whether or not you want to lower your car. Depending on the area you live you should think of lowering your car suspension as you also spend a hundred bucks over all these methods. Suppose I live in a locality with potholes or speed bumps, I won’t go for driving a low car daily.
FAQs
How do I lower my car suspension? ›
A set of lowering springs is the most common method for lowering the ride height on your car. With a shorter height than your vehicle's factory-equipped springs, lowering springs will drop the height of your vehicle. Most off-the-shelf springs will lower a car between 1 and 2.5 inches.
How can I make my car look lower without lowering it? ›A Good Alternative: The Razor Lip
The Razor Lip is a cutting-edge RimBlades product that gives your vehicle that lowered look without costing an arm and a leg. It's basically a high-quality rubber protection strip. It mounts to your vehicle's front lower valance with extremely strong adhesive.
A good rule of thumb is that most cars can be lowered about 1.5 inches without complications. Beyond that, changes in a severely lowered car's suspension may negatively affect ride quality, tire wear and increase the risk of "bottoming."
Does a lowered car go faster? ›Lowered vehicles are more aerodynamic. There's less air hitting the wheels and tires (that are not streamlined shapes). This makes these cars faster. Some owners of low-stance vehicles also notice improved gas mileage.
How much is a suspension lowering? ›Another option to lower your vehicle's ride height is to replace the stock springs in the suspension with lowering springs. These are shorter springs that lower your car by one to three inches. Lowering spring kits go for anywhere between $100 and $700. A professional installation may cost an additional $200 to $800.
What is a lowering kit? ›Lowering springs and kits are designed to replace OEM coil springs with a spring designed to lower the front or rear stance of the vehicle. Typical lowering springs lower between 0.5-3.0″ when installed on a vehicle.
How do you make a car note lower? ›- Renegotiate your loan terms. Lenders often allow you to defer a payment when you're facing financial hardship. ...
- Refinance your car loan. There are two ways refinancing your car loan can help lower your monthly payment. ...
- Sell or trade in your car. ...
- Make extra payments when possible.
On average most cars gain about -0.75 degrees of camber with every inch it is lowered, which adds up very quickly.
What do I need to stance my car? ›The term "stance" or "stanced" is often used to describe a car customization style. The term "stance" is often used in conjunction with "slammed" or "lowered". Key elements of the stance style are: lowered suspension (lowering springs, coilovers or air suspension), stretched tires and negative camber.
Do coilovers lower your car? ›While lowering springs and coilovers will both serve to make your car lower, they achieve this in different ways and provide noticeably distinct handling characteristics. With Coilovers offering additional benefits.
What do coilovers do? ›
The purpose of coilover springs is to prevent the chassis from bottoming out, support each individual wheel on the vehicle, and mitigate or reduce body roll when taking turns and cornering, particularly at higher speeds. The springs also help to reduce squatting when accelerating and diving when decelerating.
How do you get rid of a car that is too expensive? ›Consider Selling the Car
By selling it, you can be in control of the process, and you may be able to get enough cash in the sale for a down payment on a less expensive car. Alternatively, you can visit a dealership and see if you can trade in your car to cover part of the purchase price for a cheaper vehicle.
A road car usually has a ride height around 16–17 cm (6.3–6.7 in), while an SUV usually lies around 19–22 cm (7.5–8.7 in). Two well-known extremes are the Ferrari F40 with a 12.5 cm (4.9 in) ride height and the Hummer H2 with a 25 cm (9.8 in) ride height.
How low should you sit in a car? ›Firstly, push the seat all the way back, then lower it as far as possible. Next, recline the back of the seat to about 30-40 degrees and move the steering wheel (if it adjusts) all the way up and in towards the dashboard. Adjust the seat height up until your hips are at least as high as your knees.
Do lowering springs ruin shocks? ›Yes, if you install lowering springs then you need new shocks.
Is lowering your car easy? ›Lowering a vehicle's suspension is one of the most common modifications done today, and doing so can not only add visual appeal, but may even have performance benefits, if done correctly. While lowering a vehicle is a pretty straightforward job, it may require the use of special tools.
Is a lowered car safe? ›Lowering the vehicle usually reduces aerodynamic drag, which increases fuel economy, and sometimes reduces high speed lift, this making the vehicle safer.
Can a lowered car be comfortable? ›Lowering the suspension lowers the center of gravity and reduces the risk of a rollover. Enhanced comfort: This is somewhat subjective, but some drivers say that lowering the suspension simply makes their vehicle more comfortable and less prone to rattling around.
How many coils should I cut to lower my car? ›A safe place to start is by measuring how much you want to lower the vehicle. Then cut 1/2 that measurement off the length of the springs and reinstall them.
Can you DIY lowering springs? ›The process is not difficult, so anyone with garage access and a little know-how can accomplish this modification. Since lowering springs are designed to work with your existing factory suspension, they can simply replace your coil springs.
How do I lower my springs? ›
- Jack up the rear of the car and put it on car stands.
- Remove the rear wheels.
- Remove the shock nuts and bolts. (You can locate them by referring to the owner's manual.) ...
- Remove the springs.
- Install the new lowering springs.
- Replace the shock nuts and bolts.
- Replace the rear tires [source: Do It Yourself].
If your car is already highly modified, an improved braking system may reduce your premium as much as 10-15%. However, most cars are factory-fitted with suitable brakes already. If your car isn't modified, or only has a few modifications like alloy wheels or suspension, your premium is unlikely to be affected.
Can I lower car with stock suspension? ›One popular method for lowering a car that most budget-minded enthusiasts opt for is using lowering springs with the car's OEM (stock) shock absorbers. While this is indeed a very cost-effective way of lowering the car's ride height, it doesn't help much in terms of the car's ride quality.
Is stiff or soft suspension better for racing? ›A softer suspension will offer more mechanical grip as it will do a better job of keeping the tires on the ground vs a stiff suspension when it comes to depressions, bumps, and surface irregularities in the road.
Does lowering a car add horsepower? ›Pros of lowering a car
However, lowering a car does not make it faster as far as it's horsepower or torque output. Although, there are other benefits to modifying a car's suspension. For starters, a lowered car will typically handle better than it does when it's at stock ride height and lean less in the corners.
Lowering blocks work great, but you can run into problems if you're using them to lower the car more than a couple of inches. For example, if you're still employing the stock, soft leaf springs, your car will tend to bottom out on the bumpstops or the frame if the axle housing is raised too much.
Why do people drive low cars? ›There are two primary reasons. Some cars in, some driving conditions, will see better handling, higher speeds, or more stability with a low ride height. This is especially true with high performance exotics such as McLaren, Lamborghini, and Ferrari.
What happens if I pay an extra $100 a month on my car loan? ›Your car payment won't go down if you pay extra, but you'll pay the loan off faster. Paying extra can also save you money on interest depending on how soon you pay the loan off and how high your interest rate is.
What makes a car note high? ›According to experts, a car payment is too high if the car payment is more than 30% of your total income. Remember, the car payment isn't your only car expense! Make sure to consider fuel and maintenance expenses. Make sure your car payment does not exceed 15%-20% of your total income.
Do I need a camber kit when lowering my car? ›When you lower the car, the camber will go out and you need a camber kit to fix it. However, I find it is not necessary to correct the camber in most cases. Most people think they need a camber kit because of a tire-wear concern. The reality is, TOE ANGLE kills tires WAY faster than camber ever will.
What will negative camber do? ›
Negative camber lets the drivers get a more fantastic grip on the road, minimize tire vibration, and enhance vehicle handling by keeping the car's tire perpendicular to the road as the vehicle goes along. Continue reading to learn about the benefits and drawbacks of having a negative chamber.
How bad is a camber? ›How Much Negative Camber Is Bad? Generally, anything over two degrees is not good for street use. Anything over one degree will result in handling issues for the average vehicle. Three degrees and higher can cause serious problems quickly.
Can Stanced cars drift? ›Within the drift scene, we believe that stance has earned its place with the 'low style' community, where style is pretty much everything, with the ability to consistently drift your car, forming the icing on the cake.
What is considered a Donk car? ›Specifically, “donk” is the nickname for a customized 1971-76 Chevrolet Caprice or Impala. Many folks erroneously use it to describe any custom car with big wheels. To be clear, flashy wheels aren't required, but if you want a showstopper, they certainly help. No one is certain where the term came from.
What is Hella flush? ›What is hellaflush? Hellaflush involves: significantly lowering a vehicle's suspension. installing oversized and offset rims (offset is greater than that of the stock rims) installing tires that are too narrow for the rim (tire stretching)
Do coilovers lower suspension? ›A coilover suspension is installed when you want to lower your car and/or achieve sportier handling. In addition to flexible lowering, most coilover suspensions also have other adjustment options. In addition to the hardness, the driver can often also adjust the rebound or compression damping.
Is it easier to install coilovers or lowering springs? ›Coilovers often come together as a single assembly. That can make installation easier. Coil springs must be compressed prior to removal. Compressing the spring can be both difficult and dangerous, especially in a MacPherson strut-style suspension.
Are lowering springs better than stock? ›Your factory shocks' overall ride quality is tuned to be most effective at the stock ride height. Lowering springs are shorter in length (most of the time) compared to factory springs, your shocks will be riding lower in their travel than they were designed to be at while sitting at normal ride height.
Do coilovers add horsepower? ›Coilovers can affect a car's performance by lowering its center of gravity and stiffening up the suspension. This results in better performance, response, and handling of the car. However, while a good coilover design can improve the performance it can require a lot of time and money.
Do coilovers make a rough ride? ›It's true, coil-overs can result in a rough ride. If not set up properly you too could have a rough ride.
What brings down the value of a car? ›
The condition of your car's exterior can be a major factor in its value — the overall appearance and presence of your car matters. Scratches, a worn out exterior, rust, cracked windows or dings will lower your car's resale value, according to AutoGuide.com.
What to do with a car that won't sell? ›- Trade-In at a dealership. Both new and used car dealerships buy used vehicles. ...
- Sell it independently. ...
- Find online buyers or traders. ...
- Consult mechanics and repair shops. ...
- Consider junkyards and scrap yards. ...
- Donate your car to charity.
- Recycle it. Maybe your old car is a clunker and doesn't drive anymore. ...
- Call a junk removal service. Calling a junk removal service might be an efficient way to get that old car off your hands since they come to you. ...
- Donate it to charity. Good news! ...
- Trade it in.
Lowering Springs Installation
These are shorter springs that lower your car by one to three inches. Lowering spring kits go for anywhere between $100 and $700. A professional installation may cost an additional $200 to $800.
Leaf Springs and Shackles
This is a very budget friendly way to lower the rear of most trucks. Lowered leaf springs and shackles are a great way to shave a few inches off. Installation is pretty straight forward as you simply replace the old gear with new parts.
It is generally recommended that you change the shocks/struts when you use lowering springs. Your stock shocks and struts are designed to operate up and down in the range the stock springs provide.
Will coilovers lower my car? ›While lowering springs rely on spring rate and height to alter your ride height, coilovers use the spring seat's location on the shock to raise or lower your vehicle. That means you could swap in a heavier or lighter spring and easily get back to your desired ride height.
Do smaller tires make your car lower? ›Smaller tires can make your vehicle ride lower, causing the vehicle to scrape, collide with, or bottom out on items that it should otherwise clear — think speed bumps, entrances into parking lots, rough intersections, and roadway debris.
How much is it to camber a car? ›In each case, expect to pay about $100 or less. A reputable shop will discuss which option is best for you and the estimated cost.
How do you lower a truck easily? ›An aftermarket set of coil springs is a great way to lower your truck's suspension as much as two inches. Some trucks use coils at the rear, so look for a complete kit from the same manufacturer. The best choice is to use progressive-rate springs made from high-quality steel, to avoid spring sag over time.
Can you cut stock springs to lower your car? ›
You can lower your car by cutting the coil springs that are compressed in the strut above the car's tires. A professional mechanic often carries out the process of cutting a car's coil springs and lowering the vehicle. With a few tools, such as a coil compressor and angle grinder, you can cut the coil springs yourself.
Do leaf springs affect ride height? ›Springs can wear out and affect ride height.
What do I need for lowering springs? ›- Basic hand tools, including screwdrivers, pry bars, metric and fractional wrenches, metric and fractional sockets, ratchets, and extensions.
- Impact wrench, either electric or pneumatic.
- Floor jack and jack stands.
- Spring compressors.
Lowered springs are physically shorter than OEM springs when installed, so the ride height of the vehicle is lower. Now since spring rate is measured in Kg per mm, a spring that's shorter than stock will have a higher spring rate which means a firmer ride. For performance driving, this is considered a benefit.
Do I need anything else with lowering springs? ›Yes, if you install lowering springs then you need new shocks.
Why do people lower their cars? ›Lowering the suspension lowers the center of gravity and reduces the risk of a rollover. Enhanced comfort: This is somewhat subjective, but some drivers say that lowering the suspension simply makes their vehicle more comfortable and less prone to rattling around.
Why are lowering springs bad? ›Lowering springs also change the geometry of your wheel/tire fitment. If it's not done right, you can expect both accelerated and uneven tire wear. Your car could also bottom out over speed bumps and be even tougher to get up inclines, like your driveway, without scraping your bumper.