Lowering your car can improve the aesthetics of your vehicle as well as the handling. Many car owners that are striving for a sportier look choose to lower their vehicle. There are several different ways you can achieve a lowered look on your car. In this article, we look at five different ways to lower your car.
Change or lower your coil springs
Coil springs are there to cushion your ride as you go over bumps and uneven surfaces. Standard springs are at a certain height which holds the body of your car at a certain level. If you want to decrease that level and make your car lower, you can install new coil springs that are shorter or more compressed. This will bring your car's body down to a new lower height. Some people choose to adjust their springs themselves by shortening them; however, if you don’t have the right tools or experience, things could go wrong. The best thing to do is consult a professional that will fit a new pair of lowered springs for you, ensuring your car is even and level on all sides.
Install air suspension
Another way to lower your car is to install air suspension; this method of suspension uses air-filled bags instead of springs. The great thing about air suspension is you can make adjustments once the set-up is in place. For example, if you want to drive around the track, you can lower your car by adjusting the suspension to improve your handling. Then once you’re using your car on the road, you can adjust it again so your car is more practical and comfortable on general roads. Having a car that’s too low can cause issues with bottoming out and damaging the underside of your car. In addition, it can make the ride really uncomfortable for you and your passengers.
Coilover suspension
Another way to lower your car and have the ability to make adjustments is to install coilover suspension. This type of system combines springs and shock absorbers into a single component. Coilovers give the driver much more control over the ride height and handling of the vehicle as adjustments can be easily made to soften or harden the suspension as well as make the car lower or higher. Proper installation of a Tein coilover suspension system or any other suspension system is vital. Incorrect installation could leave you with issues and a car unsuitable for driving on the road. If you plan on doing the modifications yourself, you should always get the car checked over by a professional before driving; this will ensure that it's completely safe to drive.
Lowering blocks
If you want to lower the rear of your vehicle, you can use lowering blocks; these work by reducing the space between the springs and the frame, which lowers the vehicle's height and the centre of gravity. These blocks, when installed correctly in the right place, can improve the traction, handling and braking of a vehicle. However, unlike some of the other methods mentioned, they can’t be adjusted, and if the vehicle needs to be raised again, they will need to be removed completely. Lowering blocks are a simpler way to lower the back of your vehicle compared to more complex systems.
Lowering the torsion bar
Another method for lowering a vehicle is to loosen the torsion bar. The torsion bar provides strength and stability to the suspension system, twisting and untwisting to respond to bumps in the road. Some drivers can lower their cars by making simple adjustments to the torsion bar. This method requires no additional parts; however, care must be taken to make sure the torsion bar is adjusted correctly on both sides. It can also significantly impact the handling of your vehicle; therefore, it's best to consult a professional before making any adjustments to the torsion bar.
Lowering your car can improve its appearance and handling. There are several methods to do this, including changing or lowering coil springs, installing air suspension, coilover suspension, lowering blocks, and lowering the torsion bar. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it is important to choose the one that is right for you. No matter which method you choose, it is important to have the work done by a qualified professional.
References:
