Affordable way to lower your vehicle

[Cd]

Well, I'm actually waiting to get an answer to my question about spring gaps ( post # 18 )
Clamping the rear springs will definately lower the back of the car around an inch, but the springs at the front are really close together.
The last thing that I want is to have a car that sits higher in the front. This would actually hurt the cars aero.
As for an A-B-A-B test, I doubt I'll have time ( I'm visiting relatives. ) As of right now, I'm wondering if my car can be lowered at all. ( Still waiting on that answer )

[Frank Lee]

What about spring gaps? Clamp em as far as you deem necessary. If you can only go so far in front, then only go that far in back.

[Cd]

Thanks Frank. I guess I should have been more specific as to the main thing I was wondering.
And that is : Can I put multiple pairs of these things on the same spring.

To lower the front of the car 2", Im going to need to clamp it four times. ( since the springs are so close together.
I'm not even sure this project is possible now.

I'm going to do some research now, but in case any of you guys know the answer. please chime in .

[Frank Lee]

As you might guess, you can put as many of those things on there as you want. With each additional clamp and each additional portion of disabled spring, however, comes another increment of ride quality degradation. You may find that looking good is NOT better than feeling good!

[Cd]

I keep reading the same thing over and over - and I am assuming that none of these guys have ever used these things before.
Mostly comments that they are unsafe.
Here is one example : Help! Spring "clamp" issues - Focus Fanatics

( I'm begining to think that a 1" drop is not even woth it . )

[Frank Lee]

Can you say "alarmistathon"?

Sheese. I think they are plumb full of ****.

[Cd]

I'm concerned about what will happen when the clamps get smacked as I hit a pot hole.
Also, according to these 'experts'. the car will not pass inspection.
BTW, The parts store that sold these to me warned me that they would destroy my suspension.

Who do I believe ?

[Frank Lee]

Do you have inspections? If so do you have access to their guidelines?

Do you hit potholes hard enough to bottom out? If so I'd say lowering by any means is not for you. If not then I wouldn't worry about it.

What we need is for someone to explain WHY these would destroy a suspension.

Of course there can be effects from excess lowering no matter what method you choose.

Frinstance, really slamming it but not re-adjusting camber will cause at a minimum faster tire wear I'd think.

And slamming it and then slamming into potholes will of course jar everything.

It is possible for one of those bolts to break I spose if they aren't good bolts.

It is possible for the clamp to cut into or nick the spring I suppose? Maybe? Maybe not? We don't want any substantial nicks on springs. I've seen some pansies go ape over nicked paint. Well the paint on all my vehicles springs is hanging there in shards due to being in the rust belt and maybe 50 years from now I'll notice a bad effect from it.

[Christ]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

Do you hit potholes hard enough to bottom out? If so I'd say lowering by any means is not for you. If not then I wouldn't worry about it.

If the coils are close enough together, any kind of suspension bound might make contact w/ the clamps. I wouldn't worry too much about it, they'll just wear out over time.

What we need is for someone to explain WHY these would destroy a suspension.

Because when you use stock shocks with lowered springs, the shocks are constantly under pressure, and never reach their seat point. It blows the seals out of them. Also, compressing a spring increases it's spring rate. Heavier springs on stock shocks will also destroy the shocks, apparently. Not sure why, though.

Of course there can be effects from excess lowering no matter what method you choose.

Frinstance, really slamming it but not re-adjusting camber will cause at a minimum faster tire wear I'd think.

Actually, it's usually a toe mis-adjustment that stems from lowering that causes the faster wear, due to scrub angle on the tires. Camber won't cause faster wear, but it will cause uneven wear. If you're lowering, make damn sure you adjust your toe angle. Lowering also changes all three alignment specs, toe, caster, and camber. Caster changes the steering feel/angle if altered too much.

And slamming it and then slamming into potholes will of course jar everything.

Of course.

It is possible for one of those bolts to break I spose if they aren't good bolts.

It is possible for the clamp to cut into or nick the spring I suppose? Maybe? Maybe not? We don't want any substantial nicks on springs. I've seen some pansies go ape over nicked paint. Well the paint on all my vehicles springs is hanging there in shards due to being in the rust belt and maybe 50 years from now I'll notice a bad effect from it.

This is less than likely, since springs are cold steel, and treated. The clamps are probably just normal mild steel, unlikely they're even graded bolts.

<(---- Agreed.

Answers in red.

[Frank Lee]

Jah the ?s were for Cd.

I have had cut springs with stock struts for oh 6 years now. Nothing is blown. ~2" drop.

Uneven wear = faster wear.