Will Lowered Springs Wreck Your Shocks? | ASK AN EXPERT

It's a question that has been asked thousands of times, so it's time to get the truth!

Thank you to Andre from DNA Autosport

[scottbouc]

That Peugeot car coil over installation process just sums up my day to day life as a mechanic and people wonder why I don't wanna work on cars in my free time.

[eddominates]

In my experience - If the dampers have any kind of significant mileage on them, and then you swap to lowered springs and keep the old dampers, the dampers WILL be absolutely trashed within a year.
BUT - if you replace the dampers with fresh ones when you change the springs, (yes even OEM dampers) then you're good to go. no reduced life or performance.
something about how they "wear in" based on the ride height, if you change that height, they always go bad very quickly. but if you install new ones along with the lowered springs, they "wear in" at that height and work perfectly.
This has been my experience across 4 different platforms. If you throw in drop springs, get new struts. Trust me.

[ToeCo]

glad I’m one of the 38 people receiving notifications

[racegod]

OEM shocks are expecting to be at a certain resting position. Throwing lowering springs on an OEM shock “CAN” have a negative impact in two ways:
-Shock lifespan could be reduced because the shock is essentially in a higher load state being out of the expected OEM travel position.
-The obvious problem, shock travel. Each shock has mechanical limitations on how far is can travel both compression and expanding. Having a reduced position travel adds makes the shock behave in a loaded fashion potentially reducing the expected performance of the shock. One thing to always consider, the weakest link often breaks. Sometimes by influencing the ride height with lowering springs, your shocks may be fine but the other suspension components may end up soaking up the added load.

As the guy pointed out though, the experiences will vary widely across platforms and parts. Important to do the research and understand what others may have already done before making the decision.

In my own experience making my own sh1t boxes faster. Lower springs typically meant less absorption. It was better for me to buy a kit, coil overs or a spring and shock combo (designed to work together to replace the OEM) for lowering.

[tomcardale]

Nice to hear someone actually calling them dampers.

[OldguyChris]

Moog...this is a true information channel now...thanks for the knowledge 😊

[joebot]

My dealer put lowering springs on my 2010" Lancer sportback. Every bump hit hard AF. Replaced shocks under warranty 4x before I had them put gas struts on it. Best thing I ever did. The Gas struts made it ride like a dream with lowering springs.

[themaconeau]

On Victorian roads, you need ALL the spring travel you can get 😲

[DG_]

This is exactly the question I have been wondering recently! Wanted to lower my car about 30mm!

[timothynaquin]

I have a new challenge... They claim to be the best 4 wheeled drive channel. Let see the boys buy the cheapest AWD minivan and put a lift kit on it and put it head to head with the Jimny

[HostileMAV]

I have a MK7 GTI with the adaptive suspension (DCC). There is a adaptation you can do to account for lowering springs. Basically you jackup the car so that all 4 wheels are off the ground. Then you run "adapt with deflecting wheels". The suspension computer resets and will check the ride high when the vehicle is on the ground. Ride quality will be improved. The suspension almost feels like stock. I do think my DCC shocks are wore out though and will need to be replaced soon.

[chrishenry]

0:10 missed handshake opportunity, -1 internets.

[ntn]

Some how this other channel is more awesome than I could know!!!

[hitmixhyepock]

I have bilstein B6 shocks, they are made for lowered cars.

[goblinphreak]

Ran slip-over-coils over my stock kyb struts and it handled great for track. In fact my honda del sol (i called it my del slow) would handle better than any of my friends cars in the twisties (vs 240sx, 180sx, '00 honda coupe, two chevy Cobalt's, etc). We all had budget parts and my del slow had the best handling however was also the slowest in the group (power to weight).

[lainealexander]

I lowered my accord 30mm and found it was ok on the initial bumps but it seamed to rebound badly

[MWXYT]

Lowered springs killed shocks on my Audi A6 within a month. Shorter springs have to cooperate with stiffer/stronger shocks like Bilstein B6 or B8

[CP-CREATIVEDESIGNER]

Any suggestion for a daily 2019 Civic LX Hatch commuter car?

[Barry.ONeill]

What did you do to the garage Door? Was that to stop it rattling in the wind?

[levi.k]

I’m thinking of getting lowering springs on my 2015 Mazda 2 and dropping the ride height by 30mm. Would doing this damage my OEM suspension?