Lowering guide for newbies
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From: NW Houston, TX
Lowering guide for newbies Springs
There are many different types of springs out there, and everyone wants something different. Most of the time people will choose a springs based on the amount they will lower the car and nothing else. There are a few lowering kits out there that do not have enough spring rate to keep the car off the bumpstops, and that alone will shorten the life of any shock and make the ride quality less than favorable. The more you lower the car the more spring rate you will need to stop this from happening, and the more sring rate you have the stiffer the springs will be.
Shocks
Shocks are what decides the characteristics of the suspension (ride and handling) and also control the motion of things. They are offten the most overlooked part in the suspension becuase of price, and it's a known fact that the stock shocks from GM just wont cut it for long after the car is lowered. For thoes that drive hard, they wont last even on stock springs either. Its best to purchase shocks that are matched to the intended spring.
Panhard Rod
This is something that all cars can use, no matter if the car is at stock ride heigth or not. The job of the panhard rod is to keep the axle centered under the car and stop side to side movement of the axle in turns. One end of the panhard rod is mounted to the body of the car (passenger side) while the other end is connected to the axle (drivers side). The stock unit uses rubber bushings that are easily compressed, and most aftermarket units use either a poly bushings, or rod ends. Rod ends being the best bet.
Lower Control Arm Relocation Brackets
These are not as important as some of the other parts, but are more valuable for the drag racer, or anyone thats looking to hook up from a stand still. These are intended to correct the lost suspension geometry of the lower control arm caused from lowering the car, and are available in bolt-in and weld-in styles.
Adjustbale Coil-Overs
Adjustbale coil overs work the same as the other lowering kits, except for the fact that you can choose the spring rate, and also the ride heigth. They do cost more, but are perfect for thoes that are looking for a combination of spring rate and ride heigth that are not available off the shelf.
Install
Front
Rear
If you feel theres any information that I left out, or any gramatical mistakes that I made, let me know.
There are many different types of springs out there, and everyone wants something different. Most of the time people will choose a springs based on the amount they will lower the car and nothing else. There are a few lowering kits out there that do not have enough spring rate to keep the car off the bumpstops, and that alone will shorten the life of any shock and make the ride quality less than favorable. The more you lower the car the more spring rate you will need to stop this from happening, and the more sring rate you have the stiffer the springs will be.
Shocks
Shocks are what decides the characteristics of the suspension (ride and handling) and also control the motion of things. They are offten the most overlooked part in the suspension becuase of price, and it's a known fact that the stock shocks from GM just wont cut it for long after the car is lowered. For thoes that drive hard, they wont last even on stock springs either. Its best to purchase shocks that are matched to the intended spring.
Panhard Rod
This is something that all cars can use, no matter if the car is at stock ride heigth or not. The job of the panhard rod is to keep the axle centered under the car and stop side to side movement of the axle in turns. One end of the panhard rod is mounted to the body of the car (passenger side) while the other end is connected to the axle (drivers side). The stock unit uses rubber bushings that are easily compressed, and most aftermarket units use either a poly bushings, or rod ends. Rod ends being the best bet.
Lower Control Arm Relocation Brackets
These are not as important as some of the other parts, but are more valuable for the drag racer, or anyone thats looking to hook up from a stand still. These are intended to correct the lost suspension geometry of the lower control arm caused from lowering the car, and are available in bolt-in and weld-in styles.
Adjustbale Coil-Overs
Adjustbale coil overs work the same as the other lowering kits, except for the fact that you can choose the spring rate, and also the ride heigth. They do cost more, but are perfect for thoes that are looking for a combination of spring rate and ride heigth that are not available off the shelf.
Install
Front
Rear
If you feel theres any information that I left out, or any gramatical mistakes that I made, let me know.
Last edited by DONAIMIAN; Jun 4, 2006 at 09:05 PM.
