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There are several methods to use when lowering a car. Whether you prefer the sporty look of a slightly lower stance, or a more dramatic drop in height, learning how to lower a car is a straight-forward process which requires manipulating the vehicle's suspension. We'll show you what it's all about.
Steps
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Alter your vehicle's leaf springs. Leaf springs consists of thin strips of spring steel banded and bolted together.
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Remove the leaf springs from the rear suspension of the vehicle. Take them to a spring shop and have them de-arched, or use a reverse shackle.
- Another option is reversing the set up by placing the axle on top of the leaf spring, which is called a flip kit. This can be done by a home mechanic with common hand tools.
- To get even greater or increased drop, couple the flip kit with lowering blocks. These are available online or from your local auto parts store. They come in differing heights and will enable the vehicle to drop extremely low. They can be installed by a home mechanic. Depending on how low you go, you may have to install a C-notch above your real axle. The purpose of the notch is to give you a greater clearance between your frame and axle.
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Manipulate your car's coil springs. Coil springs can be found on a car's front and/or back suspension, and are attached onto the A-frame or the axles.
- You can remove the stock coil springs and replace them with shorter springs, or take your springs to a spring shop and have the coils softened and shortened. [1] X Research source
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You can also cut the coils yourself. [2] X Research source
- Use a grinder, cutting wheel, or torch to cut them.
- Start with cutting in quarter- or half-coil-turn increments, because cutting a coil is a permanent action. You may have to install shorter bump stops or cut your stock ones to fit.
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Community Q&A
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QuestionHow can I lower a Polo classic?Community AnswerYou should follow the instructions listed above.
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QuestionI would like to lower a 2013 Nissan Quest a couple of inches. Can this be done without going broke and wrecking the van?Community AnswerYes, just get coilovers. That way you can adjust the height to your liking.
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QuestionWhich of these methods are considered dangerous for the car?Community AnswerCutting the springs on a vehicle will put too much stress on the shocks, which can cause the shocks to break. Spring compressors will lower your vehicle, but if the spring compresses too much, the compressors will fall off. If you're going to lower your vehicle, do it right, and buy a new set of springs and struts.
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Tips
- If using the flip kit method, make sure to buy a flip kit that compensates for the pinion angle change when lowering your vehicle.Thanks
- An advantage to installing the airbag system is that the vehicle can be raised and lowered while moving or sitting still. This enables the vehicle to appear almost sitting on the ground while still being able to be raised to clear speed bumps and other obstacles that could potentially damage the undercarriage.Thanks
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Warnings
- If you don't have a basic understanding on how suspension works, do not lower a vehicle yourself.Thanks
- In some locations, it may be illegal to adjust the stance of your vehicle while in motion.Thanks
- Changing suspension elements may void some vehicle warranties. If in doubt, check with your dealership, insurance agent or finance company before proceeding.Thanks
- Make sure to look, observe, and move any line or electrical wires that may get crushed when your lowered ride hits a gnarly bump.Thanks
- Lowering a vehicle exposes it to road hazards which unaltered vehicles are typically positioned high enough to avoid.Thanks
- Replacing your springs with an airbag system requires a lot of fabrication, from removing the existing springs to plumbing the new air system and its components. Air bags also provide a rougher ride.Thanks
- After lowering your vehicle many factors change and if you don't compensate for the changes, parts will break. Ex- if you don't compensate for pinion angle, then you will go through universal joints like no other.Thanks
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References
- ↑ https://www.chevyhardcore.com/news/the-correct-ways-to-lower-your-coil-spring-front-end/
- ↑ https://www.eatondetroitspring.com/cutting-coil-springs/
- ↑ https://www.carid.com/articles/how-low-can-you-go.html
- ↑ https://www.carid.com/articles/how-low-can-you-go.html
- ↑ https://www.motortrend.com/how-to/79-lincoln-continental-mark-v-hydraulics-install79-lincoln-continental-mark-v-hydraulics-install/
About This Article
Article Summary
X
To lower your car, remove the leaf springs from the back and place the axel on top of the springs instead of below them. If you want to reduce the height even more, purchase lowering blocks online and install them on top of the axel. Alternatively, remove your car's 4 coil springs from the front or back suspension and take them to an auto shop to have them shortened, or cut them yourself with a grinder. Another option you can try is to adjust your vehicle's torsion bars with a torsion key. For tips on how to replace your springs with hydraulics to lower your car, read on!
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Reader Success Stories
- "The coil-lowering steps worked perfectly for my 2015 Camry."
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"The coil-lowering steps worked perfectly for my 2015 Camry."
