Cheap Way To Lower Car? The 80 Detailed Answer

Lowering: advantages and disadvantages

Lowering your car or truck so it is closer to the ground is a popular way to customize your ride. Done right, it’s a great look that also boosts driving performance. Done incorrectly, it can affect handling, drivability and traction, shorten tire tread life and even damage parts.

Pros and cons of lowering

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES Better road feel Reduced ride comfort Stiffer handling Impractical for rough roads Less roll when cornering Accelerated or uneven tire wear Better handling Possibility of bottoming out Improved aerodynamics Possible rubbing against parts or tires Improved traction Cannot use a standard jack Reduced risk of rollover Cost Great looks Warranty issues

advantages

More street feeling

A lowered suspension helps the driver to optimally adjust to how his vehicle behaves on different road surfaces, as more vibrations from bumps in the road surface pass through the steering wheel.

Stiffer ride

With this setup, you need to have stiffer springs to keep the front or rear of your vehicle from bottoming out on bumps or dips. This is the driving experience that many prefer, as opposed to a more comfortable ride from, say, a luxury sedan.

Less slim in curves

A vehicle’s pitch around a sharp turn is greatly reduced as there is less weight transfer due to the lower center of gravity. The part of the vehicle on the outside of a curve stays level with the inside. This allows a car to level off into a corner more quickly and be more responsive.

Better handling

Another effect of being close to the ground is improved responsiveness, more stability and grip at speed. Because lowering means stiffer springs, less weight is transferred when you accelerate or brake hard. That means you’ll enjoy faster acceleration and quicker stops.

Less air resistance

Lowered vehicles are more aerodynamic. Less air hits the wheels and tires (which aren’t streamlined shapes). That makes these cars faster. Some owners of low-level vehicles also notice improved gas mileage. BUT, lowering a car too low actually increases drag.

Less rollover risk

Lowered vehicles have a lower center of gravity, which reduces the risk of rollovers when cornering.

Improved traction

Lowering generally means adding an oversized tire and wheel package to the vehicle. Such tires have shorter sidewalls, a larger footprint (keeping more rubber in contact with the road), and roll less around corners.

Good look

Lowered cars and trucks with custom wheels are eye-catchers. It’s a more aggressive and performance-oriented look that stands out from the crowd.

Disadvantages

Less driving comfort

If you and your passengers are used to a softer suspension that absorbs impacts like bumps and potholes, you might think less of the ride comfort of a lower suspension. You may also notice increased street noise as you are closer to the sidewalk.

Don’t walk on rough roads

The lower ride height won’t be your friend on rutted, rocky, washboard, and potholed roads.

Uneven or accelerated tire wear

Lowering changes the geometry of your wheel and tire assembly. If done improperly, your car may have an alignment problem that will result in premature or extreme wear patterns.

bottoming out

Even dropping the suspension by an inch and a half can cause problems in corners, over bumps or on bumps. If you drive over the edge of a parking garage or drive up a driveway or ramp, the front of your vehicle may hit the sidewalk. Contact with the ground can cause serious damage to components under the car, e.g. B. on the exhaust system and the oil pan.

If you ever need a tow truck, you might need a flatbed. Otherwise, there could be a problem with the rear body of the vehicle dragging on the ground.

Possible rubbing on parts or tires

Improper or extreme lowering can result in suspension and steering components contacting each other, the wheels, or the tires. It could also cause tires to rub against the bodywork when cornering or driving over bumps.

Cannot use standard socket

When you have a flat tire, you may find at the worst time that there is not enough room to get the unit under the vehicle frame.

Costs

Quality components and maintaining proper alignment can get expensive. The deeper you go, the more likely you will need additional parts. For example, if coilovers (i.e. coil spring over shocks) are part of your new setup, you’re probably looking at an expense of $1,000 or more.

warranty issues

You should check both your owner’s manual and any manufacturer or aftermarket warranties to determine whether 1) the manufacturer advises against lowering your car, or 2) whether lowering your car will void or affect your current warranty.

Consider this before changing your suspension

Here’s what you should know before you dig deep.

If you’re looking for more power, you may need to drop a lot less than you think. It’s easy to miss the mark and actually aggravate your suspension. To ensure that components like struts and springs can do the job of keeping the tires at the right angle, get professional help.

Don’t skimp on shock absorbers, struts or other components. You make changes to the structure and balance of your vehicle. You don’t want to risk defective parts.

If you modify your vehicle in a way that is not road legal, your insurer may not pay a claim. Before you adjust your ride, speak to your agent and ask if your premiums will increase or insurance terms will change.

Installing extreme aftermarket wheel/tire setups or suspension modifications can result in steering, suspension, or drivetrain issues that are not covered by your vehicle warranty. BEFORE installation, check whether the modifications you are planning will result in warranty claims being denied.

Perform an alignment after lowering for best handling and tire life.

Be careful while you get used to the performance of your new setup. With the much stiffer suspension, your vehicle may steer slightly differently and also not absorb road shock. Sudden full braking or a tight turn on a bumpy road can result in loss of traction.

Any time you change your vehicle’s OE (Original Equipment) suspension, you should be certain that you are not creating a setup that is either unsafe or will cause problems with other vehicle functions. As with many aftermarket customizations, it’s all about finding the right balance between safety, performance, looks, cost and drivability. Stop by your local Les Schwab for help.

Should you invest the time and money it takes to lower your vehicle? A question that many drivers do not even think about. Before making the decision to lower your vehicle’s suspension, you should consider the options and understand the pros and cons of lowering the suspension.

Why a lowering?

Lowering your suspension is an afterthought that will make your vehicle sit a little lower off the ground. This has several implications, including a number of performance and security benefits.

Here are some of the key benefits of lowering your suspension:

Improved aerodynamics: Having the vehicle sit closer to the ground means less air flows under the vehicle, which in turn means less drag on the car.

Improved Handling and Traction: Generally speaking, lowering the vehicle to the ground improves tire grip on the road, resulting in improved handling. However, this does not apply across the board, since a lowering can even impair the driving behavior of some vehicles.

Reduced risk of rollover: A high center of gravity is a burden on any vehicle, giving it a higher risk of rollover. Lowering the suspension lowers the center of gravity and reduces the risk of a rollover.

More Comfort: This is somewhat subjective, but some drivers say lowering the ride height simply makes their vehicle more comfortable and less prone to chatter.

Are there any disadvantages to lowering the suspension?

The benefits of lowering the suspension are significant, but it’s also important to be aware of some of the potential disadvantages of lowering a vehicle’s suspension. Here are some of the main disadvantages:

Elevated Bottoming: When you lower the suspension, you increase the risk of the vehicle skidding on the ground below, especially when impacting. Speed ​​bumps can be particularly difficult here. Contact with the ground can make many components of your vehicle vulnerable.

Tire Wear Irregularities: In some cases, lowering the suspension can have a negative impact on tire wear patterns. This is definitely something to ask about before dropping the suspension.

Conflict with other systems and components: When you lower the suspension, you sometimes bring it into closer contact with other parts of the car. This can be a problem, especially if you get the suspension too close to the anti-lock brakes, tire sidewalls, etc.

Make changes to your suspension

The bottom line is that changing your suspension will have both positive and negative effects on your vehicle. It’s best to speak to a trained mechanic about this process, who can help you think through all the ramifications. Do not make any suspension modifications until you are certain of their effect.

Lowering your car will no doubt change the way it looks and drives, and there are a few different ways to get the job done. A cost-effective way is to install a set of lowering springs and sports shock absorbers, another way to install a coilover kit. Both methods can get a little expensive so best for your budget might be option C and using a set of lowering springs with the car’s factory shocks. But is that really a good idea?

What are lowering springs?

Eibach Pro Kit lowering springs | Eibach.com

Lowering springs are aftermarket replacement parts that are shorter and stiffer than a car’s factory springs. Their shorter height lowers the car’s suspension geometry and they should ideally be paired with an aftermarket shock absorber to compensate for the reduced travel. Also, an aftermarket sport shock absorber is usually better designed to absorb the stiffer ride that the aftermarket springs offer both when cruising and cornering.

Can I lower my car with standard shock absorbers?

A popular method of lowering a car, which is the choice of most budget enthusiasts, is to use lowering springs with the car’s OEM shock absorbers. While this is a very inexpensive way to lower the car’s ride height, it doesn’t help much in terms of the car’s ride quality.

For example, if you install lowering springs that give the car an inch reduction in ride height, the shocks will now sit at that lower height, reducing suspension travel. According to Shock Surplus, this “travel area is typically firmer than the initial portion of travel in order to slow the suspension’s movement, so the ride over bumps is smoother and the vehicle is less likely to bottom out under normal conditions.”

The part of the shock absorber that is reduced by the lowering spring is the part that is used to smooth out minor bumps and dips in the road. By eliminating this part of the shock absorber, the car’s ride quality becomes harsher. Also, because the shock absorber sits at a lower height, your car has a greater potential to bottom out over larger bumps.

Using stock shocks can make the ride bouncy

A range of lowered Honda S2000 | Joe Santos

When using lowering springs in conjunction with the OEM shocks, the car’s ride quality can also become springy. Because the factory shocks are not valved to match the increased spring rate of the aftermarket spring, they cannot properly dampen the spring’s movement. Installing a set of lowering springs on standard shock absorbers can also lead to premature wear.

Is it worth buying lowering springs?

Yes, but consider combining them with a suitable set of sport shock absorbers. There are many brands in the aftermarket such as Eibach, Bilstein, Koni and even KYB that sell matching spring and shock kits for a variety of applications. Although fitting a set of lowering springs with your car’s stock shocks may sound tempting because it’s cheap, it could cost you a new set of shocks in the long run. So you can get it right the first time.

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Air suspension is one of the most sought-after modifications by car enthusiasts who want to adjust their suspension at the touch of a button. With air spring systems that offer on-the-fly height adjustments, these kits offer more functionality compared to coilover or spring suspension setups. They also contain more components, which means you can pay a lot more for an air suspension system. How much does an air suspension cost? Today we break down the cost of an AccuAir suspension kit to give you a better idea of ​​what to expect.

Average price of an airbag suspension kit

The average price of an airbag mounting kit can range from $1,000 to over $5,000 depending on the kit. Many factors affect the overall cost of your system, such as:

vehicle type

Complete kit vs. kit pieced together

part quality

DIY Installation vs. Professional Installation

When pricing your air suspension kit, there are ways to lower the cost versus buying a complete kit. You can also save money by installing the kit yourself if you feel comfortable installing it.

How much do air suspension parts cost?

Now that we’ve looked at how much a complete air suspension kit can cost, let’s look at how much each component costs.

Additional upgrade costs

When building an air suspension system, you can add a few additional upgrades to make your air suspension stand out and make it more user-friendly. While these aren’t needed for a basic air spring, they’re great for upgrading your system later.

ECU upgrades –

Water filters/traps –

Height Sensors –

pressure sensor –

installation costs

The biggest expense of an air suspension system can be the cost of installation if you choose professional installation. While many car enthusiasts can do the job themselves, it is highly recommended that you have your air suspension professionally installed.

The average cost of an air suspension system can range from $500 to over $2,000 depending on the vehicle and location. For those who have simply installed auxiliary air suspension springs on their trucks, you can assume that you are on the lower end of the cost spectrum. For those who need a complete retrofit, front and rear, you can expect to pay upwards of $1,000 to $3,000 for your installation.

AccuAir Air Spring Kits

AccuAir is an industry leading manufacturer of air springs and the quality of our products shows it. We invest heavily in research and development to offer you the best possible product for your vehicle. Our team can help you find the perfect kit or put together an air suspension kit to help you pack up your vehicle.

If you would like more information on the cost of air suspension, give us a call or fill out our contact form. Our team will be happy to help you.

Choosing the right aftermarket suspension for your car is a difficult decision. Should a set of lowering springs or a spring for a complete coilover kit be used? The choice really comes down to a few things, including your budget, your intentions with the car, and how you want to drive and handle it.

Lowering springs simply replace your car’s stock springs and fit directly onto the factory shock absorbers. They lower the car and have a fixed spring rate. Coilovers, on the other hand, have adjustable springs and shock absorbers that allow you to adjust the ride height and handling characteristics of the vehicle.

Let’s take a closer look and see which route might be better for you.

The pros and cons of lowering springs

The lowered suspension of a modified vehicle is on display at The Fast Show performance car event. | OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images

RELATED: What Does a Wheel Alignment Exactly Do?

There are many reputable companies in the aftermarket that make a range of lowering springs for many different applications. The best-known brands include Eibach, H&R, Sprint and Tein. Here are some of the benefits of buying a set of lowering springs for your car, according to Low Offset:

Price: The main advantage of a set of lowering springs is that they cost less than coilovers. Many sets can be purchased for around $100-$300, which is a fraction of what Coilver’s cost.

The main advantage of a set of lowering springs is that they cost less than coilovers. Many sets can be purchased for around $100-$300, which is a fraction of what Coilver’s cost. Simplicity: Installing a set of lowering springs is easy for most applications. You’ll need a spring compressor to do this safely, but all you have to do is replace the spring and reinstall the assembly.

Installing a set of lowering springs is easy for most applications. You’ll need a spring compressor to do this safely, but all you have to do is replace the spring and reinstall the assembly. A Smooth Ride: Lowering springs typically have stiffer rates than the stock units they replace, but are usually fairly comfortable for the road. In fact, many Eibach spring testers report that their car feels “just like stock” despite the one to two inch drop.

Here are some of the disadvantages of using lowering springs:

Lack of Adjustability: As previously mentioned, there is no such thing as adjustability with lowering springs. If they lower your car an inch, that’s it. If you want to go lower, you’ll need to replace them with another set.

As previously mentioned, there is no adjustability with lowering springs. If they lower your car an inch, that’s it. If you want to go lower, you’ll need to replace them with another set. Spring rates do not match OEM shocks: If you plan to use a set of lowering springs with your car’s OEM shocks, the spring rates and shock absorption will not match. This could result in a bouncy ride in some cases.

If you plan to use a set of lowering springs with your car’s OEM shocks, the spring rates and shock absorption will not match. This could result in a bouncy ride in some cases. Causes premature wear of factory shocks: Because the lowering springs and shock may not be a match, the lower ride height and stiffer spring rate can cause premature wear of the shocks.

It’s worth noting that some lowering spring kits come with a set of aftermarket shocks designed to handle the changed height and ride quality. That would be an ideal situation if you want to lower the car without affecting the car’s ride quality, but this may not be possible in some vehicle applications.

The pros and cons of coilovers

If you’re willing to spend a little more money on a set of coilovers, you can tune your car’s ride height, quality, and in some cases camber to your liking. Most coilovers cost around $700 to $3,000 depending on the brand, application, and adjustability. So be prepared to spend a pretty penny.

Here are some of the benefits of coilovers:

Adjustable height

Adjustable shock compression and rebound

Camber and caster angles can be adjusted on some coilovers

This type of adjustability is great if you plan to race your car occasionally and need to change the settings for optimal results. But even if you don’t drive the car on the track, you can at least make the adjustments on the coilovers to get the perfect ground clearance and characteristics you are looking for in your tram. Not to mention that if the camber and caster angles are adjustable, it will be easier for an alignment shop to adjust the alignment of the vehicle.

The main disadvantage of some coilovers is that the spring rates are typically stiffer than lowering springs. But softening the shock absorption can make up for that. Also, the added expense can make coilovers inaccessible to buyers on a budget.

Are lowering springs or coilovers right for you?

Blitz Suspension coilovers will be exhibited at the Tokyo Auto Salon 2017. | Christopher Jue/Getty Images

There is no definitive answer as it really depends on your budget, application and purposes. Lowering springs are a cheaper and easier way to lower your car’s center of gravity and improve handling. Coilovers, on the other hand, can lower the car and make it ride much better with more adjustability. However, they cost more. Ultimately, any option is good, but if you want the best of all worlds, then a good set of coilovers is the way to go.

RELATED: How much does it cost to jack up your truck?

Every do-it-yourselfer knows that high-quality lowering kits are quite expensive. There are cheap lowering kits available for those on a budget, but these kits actually do more harm than good.

The cons of using a cheap lowering kit

Photo credit: TestingAutos

There are many reasons to lower your car (or give it a lower look – like here). And there are many reasons to avoid installing cheap lowering on your car. Here are the most common:

Poor Ride Quality: In a typical cheap lowering kit you will find inexpensive generic springs. These are intended to replace carefully calibrated OE springs. While this saves you (and the kit maker) money, using generic springs often ruins a vehicle’s ride quality. That’s because springs should be designed for a specific vehicle. Engineers consider vehicle weight, intended use, suspension geometry, and so on.

In a typical cheap lowering kit you will find inexpensive generic springs. These are intended to replace carefully calibrated OE springs. While this saves you (and the kit maker) money, using generic springs often ruins a vehicle’s ride quality. That’s because springs should be designed for a specific vehicle. Engineers consider vehicle weight, intended use, suspension geometry, and so on. Difficult Alignment: Vehicles with cheap lowering kits can be difficult (or impossible) to align to specification. The workshop will do their best to align your vehicle correctly, but the result will not be perfect. As a result, your vehicle will become misaligned, resulting in… Premature and Uneven Tire Wear: Poor alignment will cause premature tire wear. This will cost you hundreds of dollars or more depending on how quickly the tires wear out. Your tires also wear out unevenly, increasing the likelihood of a flat tire. Poor Handling: This is also caused by poor alignment. Your car will not ride as well as it does with stock springs.

Vehicles with cheap lowering kits can be difficult (or impossible) to align to spec. The workshop will do their best to align your vehicle correctly, but the result will not be perfect. As a result, your vehicle will not align properly, leading to…

In short, don’t mess with your OEM springs unless you have a quality lowering kit. Would you love that lowered look but just don’t have the funds for a good kit? We have good news: there is a way to make your car look lowered without breaking the bank or changing your OEM springs.

A good alternative: The Razor Lip

The Razor Lip is a state of the art RimBlades product that gives your vehicle that deeper look without costing an arm and a leg. It is basically a high quality rubber protective strip. It attaches to your vehicle’s front lower fascia with extremely strong adhesive.

The benefits of using a razor lip

Improving the appearance of your vehicle with a Razor Lip has many benefits:

Affordability: A cheap lowering kit costs about $500 and leaves some expensive problems behind. A Razor Lip is only $35-$50 and leaves your suspension system and alignment intact.

A cheap lowering kit costs about $500 and leaves some expensive problems. A Razor Lip is only $35-$50 and leaves your suspension system and alignment intact. EASY ASSEMBLY: All you have to do is: Wipe clean the back of the lower valance. Peel off the adhesive backing a few inches at a time. Position the Razor Lip on the back of the lower valance.

All you have to do is:

No need to jack up your vehicle or disassemble your suspension system. There are no risks associated with installing a Razor Lip on your vehicle.

Protection From Damage: A Razor Lip not only improves the appearance of your vehicle, but also acts as a “buffer” from damage. Because of its position between the valance and obstacles, you can feel the obstacle before your valance actually hits it.

To learn more about the Razor Lip (and see more pictures of it), check it out here.

Lowering your car will no doubt change the way it looks and drives, and there are a few different ways to get the job done. A cost-effective way is to install a set of lowering springs and sports shock absorbers, another way to install a coilover kit. Both methods can get a little expensive so best for your budget might be option C and using a set of lowering springs with the car’s factory shocks. But is that really a good idea?

What are lowering springs?

Eibach Pro Kit lowering springs | Eibach.com

Lowering springs are aftermarket replacement parts that are shorter and stiffer than a car’s factory springs. Their shorter height lowers the car’s suspension geometry and they should ideally be paired with an aftermarket shock absorber to compensate for the reduced travel. Also, an aftermarket sport shock absorber is usually better designed to absorb the stiffer ride that the aftermarket springs offer both when cruising and cornering.

Can I lower my car with standard shock absorbers?

A popular method of lowering a car, which is the choice of most budget enthusiasts, is to use lowering springs with the car’s OEM shock absorbers. While this is a very inexpensive way to lower the car’s ride height, it doesn’t help much in terms of the car’s ride quality.

For example, if you install lowering springs that give the car an inch reduction in ride height, the shocks will now sit at that lower height, reducing suspension travel. According to Shock Surplus, this “travel area is typically firmer than the initial portion of travel in order to slow the suspension’s movement, so the ride over bumps is smoother and the vehicle is less likely to bottom out under normal conditions.”

The part of the shock absorber that is reduced by the lowering spring is the part that is used to smooth out minor bumps and dips in the road. By eliminating this part of the shock absorber, the car’s ride quality becomes harsher. Also, because the shock absorber sits at a lower height, your car has a greater potential to bottom out over larger bumps.

Using stock shocks can make the ride bouncy

A range of lowered Honda S2000 | Joe Santos

When using lowering springs in conjunction with the OEM shocks, the car’s ride quality can also become springy. Because the factory shocks are not valved to match the increased spring rate of the aftermarket spring, they cannot properly dampen the spring’s movement. Installing a set of lowering springs on standard shock absorbers can also lead to premature wear.

Is it worth buying lowering springs?

Yes, but consider combining them with a suitable set of sport shock absorbers. There are many brands in the aftermarket such as Eibach, Bilstein, Koni and even KYB that sell matching spring and shock kits for a variety of applications. Although fitting a set of lowering springs with your car’s stock shocks may sound tempting because it’s cheap, it could cost you a new set of shocks in the long run. So you can get it right the first time.

RELATED: Slammed culture is the coolest trend ruining your car

Every once in a while a customer calls and asks if cutting coils is a good idea.

Cutting certain coils can be a great way to lower your vehicle, but there are a few rules you must follow to avoid permanently destroying your springs.

Lower your ride height by properly cutting the coils

Only cut feathers with tangential ends

The design of the spring end will determine if it can be safely cut. If it has the right end, it’s okay to trim it.

Coil springs have 3 basic types of ends

Tangential – where the end of the coil twists further into space. A spring with a tangential end would fall over if you tried to stand it on its end.

– where the end of the coil twists further into space. A spring with a tangential end would fall over if you tried to stand it on its end. Square – the last coil bends back down to touch the coil below. This style end allows the feather to stand up when placed on this end

– The last coil bends back down to touch the coil below. This style end allows the feather to stand up when placed on this end. Pigtail – the final coil of the spring is square but much smaller in diameter than the coils in the body of the spring.

The style of the ends of a coil spring is determined by how the springs are mounted in the suspension. A coil spring can have 2 equal ends or 2 different ends.

The only coil springs that are safe to cut are coil springs with tangential ends.

Because square ends and pigtail ends are designed to make full contact with their attachment points, they would need to be reshaped after cutting. But to form them, the steel would have to be heated, and heat is a source’s worst enemy.

Therefore coil springs with square or pigtail ends cannot be safely cut.

Never use heat when cutting your feathers

It only takes 400 degrees F to start annealing spring steel. When springs glow, their steel begins to soften and a soft spring cannot hold your vehicle. There is nothing you, the feather owner, can do to make a soft feather hard again. A hot spring is a destroyed spring.

You will need safety goggles and a hacksaw or cutting wheel to cut your coil. (We may receive a commission if you purchase the right tools through our links.)

OK your feathers have tangent ends, you found a hacksaw and goggles. Now the fun part.

how much do you want to cut off

First cut in half, then drive in firmly

The first thing you need to know is that cutting a coil spring not only lowers the vehicle, but also makes the spring stiffer, which makes the ride and handling a bit firmer. But that’s a good thing, because lowering reduces the suspension travel. A stiffer spring helps reduce bottoming out.

A safe place to start is measuring how far you want to lower the vehicle. Then cut 1/2 of that measurement from the length of the springs and reinstall. Then take them for a ride and ride them like you stole them so the springs work well and are seated properly.

Now check your ride height. If it’s still too high, repeat step 1 until you get the look you want.

Remember, you can always lose more weight, but you can never make them longer.

Lower your vehicle a maximum of two inches

Why do you ask?

As a vehicle is lowered, the amount of travel remaining in the suspension before impact, metal-to-metal contact, occurs also decreases.

Lowering too much can cause other parts of the vehicle to bump into each other, and that would be a bad thing.

So let’s say, and only do 2 inches, so this problem doesn’t arise.

In conclusion: PLEASE don’t do this

And one last word of advice, don’t perpetuate the old myth of touching her with a torch until she sinks to where you want her.

Not only do you end up with feathers that are about as effective as marshmallows, they also look like this: