Lowering Springs A Problem?
04-24-2013, 09:26 AM
#11
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You can rent a spring compressor from any standard auto store. I wouldn't tackle the job alone without it. Two people certainly can though.
Overall the job is not difficult, and definitely "worth it". Should only take a couple hours.
Preloading is for the bushings, not the springs or shocks. You want to preload the corner to a height at, or slightly above, where the suspension will sit once on the ground. I preload with the other 3 corners on the ground to mimic the correct load. I try to jack up the one corner to slightly above where it would sit while on the ground. You can make a reference mark on your body (with tape) before jacking the car up to ensure you preload to at least that height. When installing lowering springs, you need to preload even higher since again, you want the preload height to mimic what the ride height WILL be when it sits on the ground.
The best method would be to lower the car to the ground, then tighten everything, but it can be difficult to get your hands in there.
Overall the job is not difficult, and definitely "worth it". Should only take a couple hours.
Preloading is for the bushings, not the springs or shocks. You want to preload the corner to a height at, or slightly above, where the suspension will sit once on the ground. I preload with the other 3 corners on the ground to mimic the correct load. I try to jack up the one corner to slightly above where it would sit while on the ground. You can make a reference mark on your body (with tape) before jacking the car up to ensure you preload to at least that height. When installing lowering springs, you need to preload even higher since again, you want the preload height to mimic what the ride height WILL be when it sits on the ground.
The best method would be to lower the car to the ground, then tighten everything, but it can be difficult to get your hands in there.
04-25-2013, 05:52 AM
#15
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I honestly wouldnt even do it, but it depends on your "wants" for your car. Dont take my post to heart its your car and you should do what you want. Springs were my worst mod ever. Screw springs and go straight to coils if your planning on getting coil overs. Coils are 100% easier to install. Its basically the same process but you just take off the strut and then replace it with the coil and no taking off a spring and loading it. But yes do be careful taking off the lower control arm bolt. Mine cross threaded due to some jack off over tightening it. That bolts 15 bucks.. lol
Inexpensive, easy to install, looks good, and perfectly fine handling characteristics for a street car.. I've been lowered on springs for 130k+ of my cars 177k life, and original shocks are still kicking.
04-25-2013, 06:52 AM
#16
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It definitely depends on the spring. I recently installed Swift Sport springs and couldn't be happier. Basically rides like stock, isn't too low, but I can definitely tell they are progressive rate under load. We'll see how they compare to stock when I get it back out on the track, but I'm pretty happy with them.
04-25-2013, 06:54 AM
#17
It definitely depends on the spring. I recently installed Swift Sport springs and couldn't be happier. Basically rides like stock, isn't too low, but I can definitely tell they are progressive rate under load. We'll see how they compare to stock when I get it back out on the track, but I'm pretty happy with them.
This.
Same setup, breeze to install.
04-25-2013, 07:21 AM
#18
Have the Spoon springs on order. A local shop is quoting me $155 to install, is it worth just taking it to them? Haven't dived in to the car per se yet, and the last thing I need is a bolt stripping etc. Only thing holding me back is that I don't know if they will pre-load etc. or just slap them on...
04-25-2013, 01:25 PM
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Just slap them on. It can be done in 2-3 hours if you've never done it, even less with an experienced set of hands to help. As far as pre-load, don't fret over it...just jack it up until it just starts to come off the jack stand, then torque the bolts. Easy as pie.
04-26-2013, 05:40 PM
#20
Originally Posted by s2cho' timestamp='1366824070' post='22496325
I honestly wouldnt even do it, but it depends on your "wants" for your car. Dont take my post to heart its your car and you should do what you want. Springs were my worst mod ever. Screw springs and go straight to coils if your planning on getting coil overs. Coils are 100% easier to install. Its basically the same process but you just take off the strut and then replace it with the coil and no taking off a spring and loading it. But yes do be careful taking off the lower control arm bolt. Mine cross threaded due to some jack off over tightening it. That bolts 15 bucks.. lol
Inexpensive, easy to install, looks good, and perfectly fine handling characteristics for a street car.. I've been lowered on springs for 130k+ of my cars 177k life, and original shocks are still kicking.
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