I just joined this forum. Since this is my first post, I suppose I should introduce myself before I seek for assistance. I initially attempted to post this in the introduction forum, but was unsuccessful. So let’s begin. I’m a major supporter of Toyota. owned more Toyotas than the whole Toyota range. I now own a 1976 Corolla TE31 in addition to a 2018 Tundra Sr5 and a 1981 BJ40.
I’ve looked everywhere, but I still haven’t seen a resource that explains how to lower your classic Corolla or provides links to kits or directions for doing so. All I can find are photographs of Corollas that have fallen. Lol. Can someone tell me where to drop one of these tiny gems or demonstrate how to do so? I already adore this tiny creature.
I appreciate any assistance in advance. I hope I can contribute to this group. I participated in a forum for the first time in ten years.
In This Article...
Is it possible to lower an automobile with only lowering springs?
There are numerous trustworthy aftermarket businesses that manufacture a variety of lowering springs for numerous uses. The most well-known manufacturers are Tein, Eibach, H&R, and Sprint. According to Low Offset, the advantages of purchasing a set of lowering springs for your car include the following:
- The biggest benefit of choosing a set of lowering springs is their reduced price compared to coilovers. Many sets are available for from $100 and $300, which is far less than what coilvers cost.
- Simpleness: For the majority of applications, installing a set of lowering springs is simple. You merely need to change the spring and reinstall the assembly, but you’ll need a spring compressor to do so safely.
- a smooth journey Although lowering springs often have stronger rates than the stock units they replace, they are usually rather pleasant for street use. In fact, despite the one- to two-inch drop, many Eibach spring reviewers claim their car feels “exactly like stock.
The following are a few drawbacks of employing lowering springs:
- Lack of adjustability: As previously noted, lowering springs are not adjustable. That’s it if they lower your car by only one inch. You’ll need to swap them out for another pair if you want to go lower.
- The spring rates and shock dampening will not be compatible if you intend to use a set of lowering springs with the OEM shocks on your car. In some circumstances, that can result in a bumpy ride.
- The decreased ride height and stiffer spring rate may cause the factory shocks to prematurely wear out since the lowering springs and shock may not be compatible.
A set of aftermarket shock absorbers that are made to withstand the increased height and ride quality may be included with some lowering spring sets, it’s important to note. If you wanted to lower the automobile without compromising the ride quality, it would be the ideal scenario, but it would not be feasible in particular vehicle applications.
Is spring lowering a good idea?
A common approach to personalize your vehicle is to lower it so that it is closer to the ground. When done correctly, it has a wonderful appearance and improves handling capabilities. If done incorrectly, it may impair handling, drivability, and traction, decrease tire tread life, and even harm certain components.
Benefits
A lowered suspension makes it easier for a driver to be acutely aware of how their car behaves on various surfaces since greater vibrations from potholes in the road surface are transmitted through the steering wheel.
With this arrangement, you need extra firm springs to prevent your vehicle’s front or rear from bottoming out over bumps or depressions. Many people would rather have this kind of driving experience than, say, a cushier ride in a premium vehicle.
Because of the lower center of gravity, there is significantly less lean when a vehicle makes a quick turn. The portion of the car that is outside a turn maintains a better level with the interior. This enables an automobile to act more rapidly and responsively during a turn.
Being nearer to the ground also results in better response, more stability, and grip at high speeds. When you hit the gas or brakes hard, less weight is transferred because lowering means getting firmer springs. You can benefit from quicker acceleration and stops as a result.
Vehicles that are lowered are more aerodynamic. Less air is striking the tires and wheels (that are not streamlined shapes). These cars are speedier as a result. Additionally, some owners of low-stance automobiles report better gas mileage. However, too much lowering of a vehicle will result in more wind resistance.
Vehicles with lower centers of gravity are less likely to flip over when turning.
When you lower a car, you often mount a set of plus-sized wheels and tires on it. These tires offer less roll around corners, shorter sidewalls, and a wider contact patch (which maintains more rubber in touch with the road).
Custom wheels and a lowered suspension are attention-getters for cars and trucks. It stands out in a crowd because of its more aggressive and performance-focused appearance.
Drawbacks
You may be less concerned about the ride comfort of a lower suspension if you and your passengers are used to a suspension that is softer and softens hits like bumps and potholes. As a result of being nearer the pavement, you might also hear more traffic noise.
Your enemy on rutted, rocky, washboard, and potholed roads will be the reduced clearance.
Your wheel-tire fitting geometry changes as you descend. If it’s done incorrectly, your automobile could have alignment issues that cause excessive or premature wear patterns.
Even a half-inch lower suspension might cause issues while driving over speed bumps, small potholes, or in tight turns. The front of your car might strike the pavement if you start up a driveway or ramp, drive over the lip of a parking garage, or cross a curb. Components underneath the automobile, such as the oil pan and exhaust system, are vulnerable to severe damage if they come into contact with the ground.
You could need a flat bed if you ever need a tow truck. If not, there can be an issue with the vehicle’s back body dragging on the ground.
Incorrect or excessive lowering might result in the wheels, tires, or suspension and steering components coming into contact. Additionally, it could result in tire rubbing when making turns or travelling over bumps.
If you have a flat tire, you can discover inconveniently that there isn’t enough room to get the unit beneath the frame of the car.
It might be costly to maintain proper alignment and use high-quality components. The likelihood that you’ll need extra parts increases as you descend. For instance, you should expect to spend $1,000 or more if coilovers (coil spring over shock) are a part of your new configuration.
To find out whether 1) the manufacturer advises against lowering your car or 2) whether lowering your car will invalidate or negatively affect whatever warranty coverage you presently have, you should examine both your owner’s handbook and any manufacturer’s or aftermarket warranty.
Know This Before You Modify Your Suspension
- You could need to reduce a lot less than you think if higher performance is what you’re looking. It’s simple to miss the mark and worsen your penalty. Get professional assistance to ensure that parts like struts and springs can maintain the proper angle for the tires.
- When it comes to shocks, struts, or other parts, don’t skimp. You are adjusting the balance and structure of your car. Don’t take a chance on broken components.
- Your insurer can refuse to cover a claim for damage if you modify your car in a way that isn’t permitted for the road. Ask your agent if your premiums will increase or your policy terms will alter before you customize your ride.
- Extreme aftermarket wheel-tire combinations or suspension modifications may cause steering, suspension, or drivetrain issues that are not covered by your car’s warranty. Before installation, determine whether the alterations you’re considering may lead to rejected warranty claims.
- After you lower, get an alignment to assure the optimal handling and tire longevity.
- Be cautious as you adjust to how your new arrangement works. Your car may steer a little differently and won’t be able to absorb road shocks as well thanks to the considerably stronger suspension. A loss of traction could result from an abrupt hard brake or a tight bend on a rough road.
Make sure you’re not putting together a setup that is hazardous or will interfere with other car systems if you modify your vehicle’s OE (original equipment) suspension. It involves striking the correct balance between safety, performance, aesthetics, cost, and driveability, just like with many aftermarket modifications. Visit your nearby Les Schwab for assistance.
Is lowering your automobile worthwhile?
The decreasing process itself is the main cause for worry. Professional assistance is recommended for the majority of car repairs and modifications, however suspension work is the exception to this rule. Automobile springs exert hundreds of pounds of force, and if you don’t remove and reinstall them carefully, you risk serious damage or even death. Always trust your qualified mechanic with any suspension work.
What risks do lowering your automobile or truck present, presuming the repair has been done correctly? The majority are:
When a wheel is elevated over a bump or when it is at rest, the lowering process can alter the camber, which has two detrimental effects: less traction, particularly during braking, and
The steering geometry may be sufficiently altered to make it unsafe to steer the vehicle. This mostly applies to vehicles that have been lowered by at least a few inches.
A automobile that has been significantly lowered can bottom out at driveway entrances or be unable to maneuver through typical roadblocks. Additionally, you might discover that your automobile cannot be transported regularly (a flatbed may be needed) or that there is no way to do so without causing damage to the vehicle if you ever need to have it towed.
More force may be applied to shock absorbers (along their lengths or laterally), shortening their lifespan.
Additional strain from a lowered car may cause numerous other suspension and steering system components to wear out too quickly or even fail before their time.
Due to the fact that most lowering techniques restrict spring travel, the ride will almost always be rougher. As your car is harder rocked and bounced, this can make you and your passengers uncomfortable and increase wear and tear.
The majority of these issues do not pose a substantial threat to life or limb. A camber kit might be available to counteract this effect, but it’s crucial not to drive any vehicles whose camber has been significantly changed from stock. Extreme camber changes are the exception to this rule because they can drastically reduce braking performance to the point where they make the car unsafe. In a similar vein, it’s crucial to guarantee that the steering system works well after lowering. If a car has been lowered only a few inches, there is typically little risk, but if it has been lowered more than that, it may be essential to make significant modifications to ensure that the car is safe to drive.
By taking the necessary actions, many of the aforementioned disadvantages can be minimized or completely avoided. For instance, getting a wheel alignment following any suspension adjustment, including lowering the vehicle, may solve the problem of higher tire wear. Additionally, it might be able to roll the edge of the fender or quarter panel sufficiently to solve the issue if a tire is contacting the sheet panel.
While serious mechanical problems may be avoidable, it’s important to realize that almost all methods of lowering your car will result in a harsher and, in the opinion of many, less comfortable ride. Additionally, most owners of lowered cars will experience increased wear and tear on various components.
How much does lowering a car cost?
Typically, lowering your car by up to 2 inches costs between $100 and $5,000. How and where you choose to have your automobile lowered will affect the price.
Drop spindles, which typically cost $100 at most aftermarket suppliers, are used by many people to lower their cars. However, since the drop spindles need to be removed and disassembled in order to be installed, it can be challenging to do it yourself.
A mechanic is usually needed for this task because numerous steps must be taken in a certain order to maintain the car functioning properly. In addition to drop spindles, you may also utilize springs to lower your car, and doing so is far simpler than setting up drop spindles.
High-performance coil-over kits are made by companies like Eibach and can lower your car in just one hour. Anyone with a pair of tools can install the car lowering kits, which cost roughly $1,000.
You might want to think about purchasing coilovers if money is no object. The ideal option to lower your car is with a coilover because it offers a ride height setting that can be adjusted depending on the type of road or track you’re driving on. For a more comfortable ride, it combines a coil spring and a shock absorber.
Although they can cost up to $2,000, coilovers allow you greater control over how high or low your car goes.
Additionally, bear in mind that while adjusting the height of your suspension system, bigger isn’t necessarily better. The safest and most sensible option, as a rule of thumb, is to lower your car by half to one and a half inches. You can still benefit from a reduced ride height thanks to it without compromising on performance or safety.
What occurs when an automobile is lowered?
- reduced center of gravity As the name implies, lowered suspension allows your car to sit closer to the ground and improves stability during emergency maneuvers or when making curves.
- greater aerodynamics. Less air is flowing underneath the car when it is lowered, which might lessen the drag placed on the vehicle.
- enhanced handling A vehicle with lower ground clearance will typically handle better and sit flatter through corners. This might not always be the case, though.
- improved aesthetic appeal. There is no disputing how great lowered automobiles can look. Your car gains a lot of visual appeal as a result.