What are the negatives of lowering springs?
Lowering springs are a popular modification among car enthusiasts looking to enhance their vehicle's aesthetics and handling. While they can provide a sportier look and improved cornering, it's important to understand the potential downsides before making the switch. In this article, we’ll explore the negatives of lowering springs to help you make an informed decision.
1. Reduced Ride Comfort
One of the most noticeable drawbacks of lowering springs is the reduction in ride comfort. Lowering springs are typically stiffer than stock springs, which means they absorb less of the impact from bumps and potholes. This can result in a harsher ride, especially on uneven or poorly maintained roads.
2. Increased Wear on Suspension Components
Lowering your car changes the geometry of the suspension system, which can lead to increased wear and tear on components such as shocks, struts, and bushings. These parts may need to be replaced more frequently, adding to your maintenance costs over time.
3. Limited Ground Clearance
Lowering springs reduce the distance between your car's undercarriage and the road. While this can improve aerodynamics, it also increases the risk of scraping the bottom of your car on speed bumps, driveways, and other obstacles. This can cause damage to the undercarriage and exhaust system.
4. Potential Alignment Issues
When you lower your car, the suspension geometry changes, which can affect the alignment of your wheels. Improper alignment can lead to uneven tire wear, reduced handling performance, and the need for frequent realignments.
5. Compatibility Concerns
Lowering springs are not always compatible with stock shocks and struts. Using them together can lead to premature failure of these components. In many cases, you may need to invest in aftermarket shocks and struts designed to work with lowering springs, which can increase the overall cost of the modification.
6. Insurance and Warranty Implications
Modifying your car with lowering springs can sometimes void your vehicle's warranty or increase your insurance premiums. It's important to check with your manufacturer and insurance provider before making any modifications to ensure you’re aware of the potential implications.
7. Reduced Towing and Load Capacity
Lowering springs can reduce your vehicle's ability to carry heavy loads or tow trailers. The stiffer springs and reduced suspension travel may not be able to handle the additional weight, which could lead to safety concerns or damage to your vehicle.
Conclusion
While lowering springs can enhance the look and handling of your car, they come with several potential downsides, including reduced ride comfort, increased wear on suspension components, and limited ground clearance. Before making the decision to lower your car, consider these factors carefully and consult with a professional to ensure the modification aligns with your driving needs and lifestyle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it bad to cut your springs to lower your car?
You also shouldn't cut progressive springs or springs with square ends. Said another way, you shouldn't cut your springs unless they are perfectly helical. 3) If you cut your springs excessively without changing the shocks, you will have poor handling dynamics. The system will become underdamped.
How low is too low for lowering springs?
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."
Which is better, coilovers or lowering spring?
Generally speaking, a set of coilovers will give you a better and adjustable ride quality compared to a set of lowering springs. This is because coilovers allow you to lower your vehicle and center of gravity while still giving you the feeling and handling that you are used to with your car.
What to replace with lowering springs?
Lowering springs replace your stock coil springs in the stock location. Pull one spring out, put the other spring in. This will lower your car a fixed distance. You'll usually see a number tied to it, such as “2 inch lowering springs.” That means they're designed to drop your car by 2 inches.
Are lowering springs a good option?
Lowering springs are a great option for those on a tight budget, while coilovers offer more tuning options and adjustability. It's important to consider your driving preferences and budget before making any suspension modifications to your car.
Will lowering springs affect ride quality?
Domestic cars can be lowered by around 40mm, normally without issues. However, lowering a suspension even further is likely to affect drive quality and how quickly tyres wear out. Not only that, you're also likely to scratch or damage the underside of your car, especially on uneven ground or when driving over potholes.
Do lowering springs ruin shocks?
While this can be a cost-effective approach, it's essential to be aware of potential drawbacks. Stock shocks may not be optimized for the different dynamics introduced by lowering springs, leading to suboptimal performance and increased wear over time.
What are the cons of lowering springs?
Pluses and Minuses of Lowering Suspension
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| More road feel | Reduced ride comfort |
| Stiffer ride | Impractical for rough roads |
| Less roll when cornering | Accelerated or uneven tire wear |
| Better handling | Chance of bottoming out |
Will lowering springs reduce body roll?
That's why we would see more body roll in a lowered. Car even though the center of gravity is lower it's a paradox I know but I hope this helps to explain it a little thank you for watching.
Can you lower your car with just lowering springs?
Lowering your car by simply shortening the springs is not only illegal, but also represents an extreme safety risk for the driver and other road users. For this reason, you should never shorten your springs on your own, but always use lowering springs.
