want my car just a touch lower

[Cakky]

already got kyb/30mm low kings in my corolla, I wouldn't mind it a touch lower, am I better off getting new springs, or is it cheaper to pay someone to compress the ones I have and shorten the shocks? Whats involved in this and how will it affect my vehicle

Sorry for stupid questions haha.

oR shuD i juz gT the anglez grindaah out bae?

[Akane]

Doing it right: Height adjustable coilovers
Donig it kinda right: New springs and shorten shocks
Doing it not so right: compress the springs
Doing it wrong: Lowered by Makita performance au bro!

It's probably cheaper to get them compressed if you take the springs out yourself.

Or you can just get lower profile tyres?

[YeMs]

shorten the shocks the amount that u want to lower it? (as long as its not a huge amount so as to not create to much pre-load)

[Truenotch]

Cut off a couple of inactive coils from the bottom of the spring, make sure they seat right in the groove, shorten shock to suit - done.

[wde_bdy]

shorten the shocks the amount that u want to lower it? (as long as its not a huge amount so as to not create to much pre-load)

You can't preload a shock to lower your car, you would be left with no droop at all and end up lifting wheels off the ground and destroying the shocks very very quickly.

Callum

[sik_gt_starly]

get some fat friends, problem solved and wont have to spend a cent

[1I1]

get some fat friends, problem solved and wont have to spend a cent

Or bags of cement

[Malcolm]

these give quite a subtle drop
http://kalecoauto.com/index.php?main_pa ... ucts_id=11

[1I1]

Getting OT but that site is A+

[touge_ae101]

problem solved:



enough said

[rollaholic]

pies

[Looonie]

Cutting springs is better than compressing them IMO.

I recommend cutting at the top of the spring rather than the bottom as usually the bottom coils taper to meet the lower spring seat, but your suspension may be different.

So long as the shocks are shortened to keep the springs captive, IMO cut springs are the third best option after height and rate specified lowering springs with matched shocks or coilovers...

Most generic lowering springs don't do much with the spring rate to cater, and are often progressive so as to keep a nice comfy ride until you work through the corners.

[rx7guy]

If you cut the springs make sure its a real tidy job and dont heat the spring up much. I've used a dremel cutoff wheel and wof guys havent given it a second look

[gmacrae]

Cutting springs is better than compressing them IMO.

I recommend cutting at the top of the spring rather than the bottom as usually the bottom coils taper to meet the lower spring seat, but your suspension may be different.

So long as the shocks are shortened to keep the springs captive, IMO cut springs are the third best option after height and rate specified lowering springs with matched shocks or coilovers...

Most generic lowering springs don't do much with the spring rate to cater, and are often progressive so as to keep a nice comfy ride until you work through the corners.

Ditto!

[tsoob]

I can't believe you guys answer a 'tech question' with cutting springs. The spring has a load rate that it has been designed to take using all of its coils.

If you are unhappy with the ride height AND you don't have the cash for coilovers (which are soooo cheap these days)

Best option is to have the springs compressed by a professional I'd reccomend Snell springs in Onehunga or Cobra in the south island, and then shorten the shock to suit.

[VR-4Squid]

I can't believe you guys answer a 'tech question' with cutting springs. The spring has a load rate that it has been designed to take using all of its coils.

If you are unhappy with the ride height AND you don't have the cash for coilovers (which are soooo cheap these days)

Best option is to have the springs compressed by a professional I'd reccomend Snell springs in Onehunga or Cobra in the south island, and then shorten the shock to suit.

Load rate?

If you want a small drop in ride height, and a small increase in spring rate, cutting half or one coil off the spring is fine provided it's still captive.

You can quite easily work out how much difference it will make to the spring rate also.
http://speedhero.wordpress.com/2010/10/23/cutting-springs-the-guide/

[Heylin]

If you want a small drop in ride height, and a small increase in spring rate, cutting half or one coil off the spring is fine provided it's still captive.

do the LTSA agree with that ?

[gmacrae]

$&#$% here we go again, lets all jump on the goodie too shoes bandwagon

[gmacrae]

You can quite easily work out how much difference it will make to the spring rate also.
http://speedhero.wordpress.com/2010/10/23/cutting-springs-the-guide/

Great article. I expect it'll be wasted among many around here tho

[RobertC]

If you want a small drop in ride height, and a small increase in spring rate, cutting half or one coil off the spring is fine provided it's still captive.

do the LTSA agree with that ?

They would know how...? Providing you do it properly and put a bit of paint where you cut it.


When cutting its crucial not to cut too far and put a nick in the next coil creating a weak spot which will eventually crack/ break.