Key Questions to Ask When Ordering custom lowering springs

Author: Justin

Jun. 09, 2025

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Tags: Automobiles & Motorcycles

Things to Consider When Lowering Your Vehicle - Shock Surplus

Another characteristic of solid axle suspension is that of the pinion or drive shaft angle to change throughout the suspension, meaning once lowered, the driveline angle will no longer be ideal at the new ride height. Incorrect driveline angle can lead to bind, axle wrap and wheel hop, as well as increased drivetrain vibration and wear. To correct this most people install adjustable upper and lower control arms to properly set their pinion angle. To correct roll center, and effectively tune the vehicles tendency to squat or jack under load, you would use a traction bracket, or dropped lower control arm mount to effectively raise the axle relative to the control arm height. This will also work to help correct some driveline angle and do away with a lot of wheel hop.

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Lowered Car - Navigating the Drop: Things to Consider When Lowering Your Car

Lowering your car is a popular trend among automotive enthusiasts, providing a sleek and stylish appearance while enhancing performance. However, the process involves more than just installing a set of lowering springs or coilovers. Whether you're a seasoned car aficionado or a newcomer to the world of vehicle customization, understanding the intricacies of lowering your car is crucial. In this article, we'll delve into the key considerations when embarking on the journey of lowering your car, using high-quality components from Shock Surplus.

Choosing the Right Suspension Components for Car Lowering

The foundation of any successful car lowering project lies in selecting the right suspension components. Shock Surplus offers a wide range of options, including lowering springs and coilovers. Lowering springs are a cost-effective solution, but if you seek adjustable ride height and performance, coilovers might be the better choice. Consider the driving conditions and your vehicle's intended use to make an informed decision.

Lowered Cars: Understanding the Impact on Alignment

Lowering a car can significantly affect its alignment. Improper alignment not only compromises handling and safety but also leads to uneven tire wear. When using Shock Surplus components for lowering, it's essential to invest in a professional alignment service. This ensures that the wheels are correctly positioned, optimizing performance and tire longevity.

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Unleash unmatched performance and style with Shock Surplus! Elevate your ride with car lowered suspension, precision-engineered for optimal handling. Discover the art of the lower car, transforming your driving experience. Trust Shock Surplus for quality and expertise in achieving the perfect stance.

Lower Suspension

Lowering your car involves adjusting the suspension to achieve the desired ride height. Shock Surplus provides components that allow you to fine-tune the suspension for optimal performance. Understanding the intricacies of lower suspension is crucial to achieving the perfect balance between aesthetics and functionality. Research and consult with experts to determine the ideal setup for your specific vehicle and driving preferences.

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How to Lower Suspension: A Step-by-Step Guide

For those eager to take on the challenge of lowering their car at home, Shock Surplus recommends following a step-by-step guide. This involves safely lifting the vehicle, removing the existing suspension components, and carefully installing the new ones. Attention to detail is crucial to ensure a seamless and reliable lowering process.

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Effects of Lowering on Car Suspension

Lowering a car doesn't just change its appearance; it also has a profound impact on the suspension system. Shock Surplus emphasizes the importance of considering how the alteration affects ride quality, handling, and overall driving experience. Lowering the suspension too much can lead to a harsh ride, while a moderate drop can enhance both aesthetics and performance.

Performance Enhancement: How to Lower a Car

Many car enthusiasts lower their vehicles with the goal of improving performance. Lowering the center of gravity enhances stability and reduces body roll during cornering. Shock Surplus offers components designed to maximize these performance benefits. However, it's crucial to strike a balance between aesthetics and functionality to ensure a well-rounded driving experience. Discover the art of lowering a car with precision using Dobinsons Suspension. Unlock the perfect balance of style and performance effortlessly. Revolutionize your automotive experience with cutting-edge Industry 4.0 technology, seamlessly integrated for optimal efficiency. Our innovative solutions redefine lowering vehicle dynamics, ensuring a harmonious blend of performance and sustainability. Embrace the future of driving with precision and eco-consciousness at the forefront.

Unlock the secrets of vehicle customization with Shock Surplus! Learn how to lower a vehicle effortlessly. Lower your car with precision using our expert guidance. Elevate style and handling as you discover the art of how to lower car - your key to a personalized driving experience. Trust Shock Surplus to lower my car, delivering unmatched expertise and quality.

Alignment on Lowered Car

Aligning a lowered car is a critical step that is often overlooked. Shock Surplus recommends seeking the expertise of a professional alignment shop familiar with modified suspensions. This ensures that the alignment settings are within optimal specifications, preventing premature tire wear and maintaining consistent handling characteristics.

Lowering Cars

Elevate your ride with a lowering car by Shock Surplus! Ensure precision with lowered car alignment, offering optimal handling. Explore top-notch components for expert lowering, transforming your vehicle into a sleek, well-balanced masterpiece. Lower cars with confidence, experiencing the perfect blend of style and performance. Trust Shock Surplus for a smoother, customized journey on the road. Upgrade your ride with Rancho shocks for smooth handling and enhanced performance. Experience the perfect blend of style and comfort with lowering cars.

What Does Lowering a Car Do?

Lowering a car improves its aesthetics and lowers the center of gravity, enhancing stability and cornering performance. It also contributes to a sportier appearance.

Does Lowering a Car Make It Faster?

While lowering a car doesn't directly increase speed, the improved aerodynamics and enhanced stability can contribute to better overall performance.

After Lowering a Vehicle, What Do You Need to Do?

After lowering a vehicle, it's crucial to get a professional alignment, ensuring that the suspension and wheels are properly configured. Regularly check for any signs of uneven tire wear and address them promptly.

How Much Does Lowering Your Car Cost?

The cost of lowering your car depends on the chosen components and whether you opt for professional installation. Shock Surplus provides quality components at competitive prices, allowing enthusiasts to customize their vehicles without breaking the bank.

How to Lower Suspension On the Car?

Unlock the potential of your ride with our comprehensive guide on how to lower the suspension on your car. Elevate both aesthetics and performance by delving into the step-by-step process. Learn the intricacies of adjusting ride height, selecting the right components, and ensuring proper alignment. From choosing the ideal lowering springs or coilovers to understanding the impact on handling, our guide empowers you to transform your vehicle with confidence. Experience a sleeker profile and improved road-hugging capabilities as you navigate the journey of lowering your car's suspension. Unleash a new level of driving satisfaction with our expert tips and achieve the perfect stance for your automotive masterpiece. Achieve optimal road-hugging prowess with lower suspension paired with Skyjacker shocks. Elevate your driving experience with unmatched comfort and control.

How Much to Lower a Car?

The cost to lower a car can vary widely based on factors such as the type of lowering method (e.g., lowering springs, coilovers), the brand and quality of the components, and whether you're opting for professional installation. On average, the price range for lowering a car in USD can be anywhere from $200 to $1,500 or more. It's essential to consider the quality of the components and the complexity of the installation process. Researching reputable brands and consulting with automotive professionals can help you determine the best options for your budget and customization goals.

Maintaining a Lowered Vehicle

Lowering your car is not a one-time project; it requires ongoing maintenance to ensure optimal performance and longevity. Regularly inspect the suspension components, check for any signs of wear or damage, and address issues promptly. This proactive approach will keep your lowered car in top condition for years to come.

Vehicle Lowering: Optimal Drop Mastering

Lowering Springs - Metroplex Wheels & Tires

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Lowering Springs

Lowering Springs are one of the cheapest and simplest ways to lower your car. We often talk about them as being the first step when you’re looking at the handling of your vehicle. This is because you can fit most lowering springs as a standalone upgrade, touching nothing else on the car.

They can also be just one part of an upgrade package too. For a reasonable outlay you can unlock a whole lot of handling improvements.

Q: Why do I want to lower my car anyway?

As we talked about in our beginners guide to car handling, when you lower your car you’re lowering it’s centre of gravity. Lowering your cars centre of gravity makes it roll less when you corner. This means there’s less weight transfer onto the outside tyres and off the inside tyres. That means you enjoy more grip from all four tyres, which means a better connection with the road surface.

If you’re changing directions quickly (as in an S-bend for example), the car needs less time to settle back between direction changes.

It also improves the looks. Arch gaps are rarely a good look. If you drop your car a bit, you reduce the arch gaps. This makes your wheels look bigger and gives your car a sporty, aggressive stance.

Q: How do Lowering Springs ride?

A common question when considering lowering a car or van is how it’s going to ride afterwards. It’s a very difficult question to answer exactly, because unless you have ridden in that specific model of vehicle with the specific lowering product in question fitted there’s always a bit of guesswork involved. Unlike some of the cheaper “ebay special” springs you might see on sale, all the lowering springs we sell are very well engineered for the specific vehicle they are getting fitted to. This will reflect in the ride quality, with some approaching standard suspension like levels of comfort. We’d expect you to notice that you have lowering springs fitted (otherwise, what is the point of fitting them?) but we wouldn’t expect the car to become crashy or uncomfortable. Eibach’s Pro-Kit Lowering Springs for example are very notable for riding almost like the original springs. Sportier lowering springs like Eibach Sportline are probably going to tip that balance a bit more towards the side of being firm. Fitting stiffer springs can have a more noticeable impact on the secondary ride of the car too. This is how the car rides over small bumps and rough road surface. This does depend to a certain extent on what condition the rest of the suspension is. Your vehicle comes with shock absorbers and rubber bushes designed to help buffer you from the road surface you are driving on. If those other components are worn, then you are going to notice stiffer springs more than you would otherwise.

Q: How low can I go with springs?

There are limits to what you can achieve if you’re using a spring that must pair up to a standard shock absorber. Generally mild lowering springs offer around 30mm lowering. Sportier springs tend to offer between 45mm and 60mm. This does depend a bit on the car. Newer cars tend to have less travel to begin with in the suspension, so the lowering on offer will be less.

Q: What if my car already has sports suspension?

If you drive a hot-model (a GTi, S3, RS, AMG) or the sports suspension box (S-Line, R-Line, AMG-Line, M-Sport, M-Technic etc.) was ticked when the car was first ordered it may well already be lowered.

A lot of lowering springs fit both standard and sports suspension and the lowering amount they provide will be for a car with standard suspension. If your car is already lowered, you will need to subtract the amount the car is already lowered from what the new springs will do. In some cases, optional sports suspension can lower the car so much that some aftermarket springs don’t lower it. S-Line on some recent Audis lowers the car by 30mm which means many aftermarket springs don’t lower by much or at all.

Q: Do I need to replace anything else?

Many of the lowering springs we sell are TUV approved. TUV approval means that part can be fitted to an otherwise standard car. This means in most cases you don’t need to replace anything.

It’s worth bearing in mind that lowering springs are going to give your shock absorbers a bit more of a workout, so if they were on their way out anyway, they will hasten their demise. It’s worth considering replacing anything that seems worn on the suspension while you’re taking it to bits to fit springs.

We also tend to recommend fitting sports dampers when fitting lower and stiffer lowering springs. When you’re looking at the 45-60mm lowering spring, they certainly work better when paired with a sports damper. As the spring is going to be stiffer than stock, a stiffer damper will do a better job of controlling it and can help avoid the car feeling “busy” over rough road surface.

What upgrades go well with lowering springs?

Lowering Springs are like cheese. Great on their own, but even better when combined with other things.

Sports Dampers

As we mentioned above, an uprated sports damper pairs very nicely with lowering springs. The lowering spring will be somewhat stiffer than the original spring, which means that while they will work fine with your original dampers, they will work better with a firmer sports damper controlling them.

Some manufacturers offer kits of spring and damper, or you can choose dampers separately.

Anti-Roll Bars and Wheel Spacers

You could also look at complementary upgrades like anti-roll bars and wheel spacers. These upgrades both help control body roll (albeit they achieve this through slightly different means). Fitting either or both alongside springs which are already reducing body-roll is going to magnify the benefits.

An anti-roll bar (or sway-bar) is a popular suspension upgrade in it’s own right. On front wheel drive cars, fitting an uprated rear bar will help to tame understeer.

Wheel spacers help both looks and handling, by spacing the wheels out. Making the track of the car wider also lowers its centre of gravity.

Q: Do Lowering Springs work with adaptive damping?

One of the nice things about lowering springs as an upgrade, is they leave your dampers completely untouched. If your dampers contain fancy electronic valveing and the like, you get to retain all the benefits of this system, whilst gaining the benefits of a lowering spring.

Q: Do I need a TUV certificate?

TUV approval is a German safety standard. Many of the lowering springs we offer are TUV approved. This basically means they have passed testing and been proven to fit and work safely with the original equipment on the car. This is certainly good for your peace of mind and speaks well for the quality of the springs.

Either supplied with the suspension, or available to download, will be a copy of a TUV testing certificate. This will mention the specific product in combination with the car it is supposed to fit.

Whether you need the certificate or not probably depends on where the car is going to be driven. In some countries in Europe, it’s very important to have paperwork for your modifications. This is particularly true of Germany. On the other hand, you may drive in a country where the paperwork is not needed.

It’s also worth bearing in mind that we sell brands of suspension aimed at countries where TUV is not required. Tein are Japanese and will have been put through equally stringent testing in Japan, but as they don’t primarily sell in Europe, they have not been TUV tested.

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Want more information on custom lowering springs? Feel free to contact us.

Do I want linear or progressive springs?

One question we do get asked often is if the springs we offer are linear or progressive rate. This is a difference in how the springs are wound. A linear-rate spring has it’s coils an equal distance apart and offers the same amount of resistance as it gets compressed.

A progressive-rate spring is wound differently, with visibly larger gaps between some coils. As the spring compresses, it will offer more resistance. The idea is generally that the initial travel of the spring is quite soft, but as the car leans over more on it, it becomes firmer.

Progressive rate springs are widely used by manufacturers when designing suspension for road use. A bit of softer initial travel helps keep the car in contact with the road over bumps and the like and helps the secondary ride of the car. The firmer travel at the end of the spring helps avoid bottoming out the suspension and gives firmer handling during harsher cornering when you need it.

This lack of a constant spring rate can make a car less predictable compared to linear rate springs. This is normally the sort of thing you’d consider when setting up a track car, where it is going to spend more of its time cornering hard. On a daily driver you’re probably not going to be cornering fast enough for the slight variances in spring rate to bother you.

You do not normally get a choice when buying a suspension kit, particularly lowering springs. The engineers designing the product will have chosen the best spring for each corner of the car. We’d anticipate that most lowering spring kits we sell for road use will use progressive rate springs somewhere.

Lowering springs vs Coilovers?

We sometimes get asked how these upgrades compare. This is a tricky question.

A good coilover is always going to offer better handling than a good lowering spring. Anything that you can fit to the car as a separate upgrade (so lowering springs and sports dampers) must work with the rest of the OE suspension which limits it somewhat.

A coilover on the other hand is a matched pairing of uprated damper and spring. Because it’s been developed as a total package and neither component must match the factory parts, more can be achieved with a good coilover.

We did say a good coilover though. We’ve seen some very cheap coilovers on the market, which might look tempting price-wise when compared to a premium lowering spring and damper combo. We think you often get what you pay for

though. Many of these cheap coilovers will just not have been engineered to the same degree as premium brands. It’s not uncommon for these to not ride well at all. We’d have concerns about driving a car very hard on them too.

Lowering a car whilst still leaving it riding well is a bit of an art form and if ride quality is a priority we’d probably steering clear of budget coilovers in favour of higher quality lowering springs, and possibly shock absorbers.

Pluses and Minuses of Lowering Suspension

PROS

CONS

More Road Feel.

Reduced ride comfort.

Stuffer Ride.

Impractical for rough roads

Less roll when cornering

Accelerated or uneven tire wear

Better Handling

Chance of bottoming out

Improved aerodynamics

Potential rubbing on parts or tires

Improved traction

Can’t use a standard jack

Less rollover risk

Cost

Great looks

Warranty Issues

Benefits

More Road Feel

A lowered suspension helps a driver be highly attuned to how their vehicle acts on different pavement as more of the vibrations from imperfections in the road surface come through the steering wheel.

Stiffer Ride

With this setup, you have to have more rigid springs so the front or back of your vehicle won’t bottom out over bumps or depressions. This is the driving experience many prefer, versus a cushier ride from, say, a luxury sedan.

Less Lean in Corners

The lean of a vehicle around a sharp turn is greatly reduced because the shift of weight is less due to the lower center of gravity. The part of the vehicle on the outside of a turn stays more level with the inside. This lets a car settle more quickly into a turn and act more responsively.

Better Handling

Another effect of being closer to the ground is improved responsiveness, more stability, and grip at speed. Because lowering means getting stiffer springs, there is less weight transfer when you hit the gas or brake hard. This means you’ll enjoy faster acceleration and quicker stops.

Less Air Drag

Lowered vehicles are more aerodynamic. There’s less air hitting the wheels and tires (that are not streamlined shapes). This makes these cars faster. Some owners of low-stance vehicles also notice improved gas mileage. BUT, lowering a car too much will actually increase wind drag.

Less Rollover Risk

Lowered vehicles have a lower center of gravity, which decreases rollover risk when cornering.

Improved Traction

Lowering generally means you’ll put a plus-sized tire and wheel package on the vehicle. Such tires have shorter sidewalls, a larger contact patch (that keeps more rubber in contact with the road) and less roll around corners.

Good Looks

Cars and trucks that have been lowered with custom wheels are attention-getters. It’s a more aggressive and performance-oriented look that stands out in a crowd.

Drawbacks

Less Ride Comfort

If you and your passengers are accustomed to a softer suspension that cushions impacts like bumps and potholes, you may think less of the ride comfort of a lower suspension. You may also notice increased road noise since you’re closer to the pavement.

No Go on Rough Roads

Uneven or Accelerated Tire Wear

Bottoming Out

Even an inch-and-a-half lower suspension can cause problems around corners, with slight potholes or on speed bumps. Traveling over the lip of a parking garage or starting up a driveway or ramp could cause the front of your vehicle to hit the pavement. Contact with the ground can cause serious damage to components underneath the car, like the exhaust system and oil pan.

If you ever need a tow truck, you may require a flat bed. Otherwise, there could be a problem with the back body of the vehicle dragging on the ground.

Potential Rubbing on Parts or Tires

Poorly done or extreme lowering can cause suspension and steering parts to contact each other, the wheels or the tires. It could also cause tires to rub the body during turns or going over bumps.

Can’t Use a Standard Jack

If you get a flat tire, you may find out at an inconvenient time that there’s not enough clearance to get the unit under the vehicle’s frame.

Cost

Quality components and keeping correct alignment can get pricey. The lower you go, the more chance you’ll need additional parts. For example, if coilovers (meaning coil spring over shock) are part of your new setup, you’re likely looking at an outlay of $1,000 or more.

Warranty Issues

You should check both your owner’s manual and any manufacturer’s or aftermarket warranty to determine if 1) the manufacturer advises against lowering your car, or 2) if lowering your car will void or adversely affect any warranty coverage you currently have.

Know This Before You Modify Your Suspension

Here’s what to know before you go low.
  1. If it’s higher performance you’re after, you may need to lower a lot less than you think. It’s easy to miss the mark and actually make your suspension worse. To be sure that components like struts and springs can do the work of keeping tires at the right angles, get expert help.
  2. Don’t cut corners when it comes to shocks, struts or other components. You’re making changes to the structure and balance of your vehicle. You don’t want to risk failing parts.
  3. If you modify your vehicle in ways that aren’t road legal, your insurer may not pay a claim for damage. Talk to your agent before you customize your ride and ask if your premiums will go up or policy terms change.
  4. Installing extreme aftermarket wheel-tire setups or suspension changes can result in steering, suspension or drivetrain problems that won’t be covered by your vehicle warranty. Check to see if the modifications you’re planning will result in denied warranty claims BEFORE installation.
  5. Get an alignment after you lower to ensure the best handling and tire life.
  6. Take care while you get accustomed to how your new setup performs. With the much stiffer suspension, your vehicle may steer a little differently and won’t absorb road shocks as well. A sudden hard brake or tight turn on a bumpy road could cause a loss of traction.

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