How to Properly Lower Your Car - Spring Rates Explained

Be sure to check your alignment any time you alter the ride height. While lowering your street machine will vastly improve the center of gravity for better handling, it can also increase negative camber--the inward tilt of the top of the tire (as shown above). This causes excessive wear on both the tire and suspension components.

Be sure to check your alignment any time you alter the ride height. While lowering your st

Rate vs. Load vs. Sag

It's all too easy to get lost in suspension lingo. However, when it comes to springs, there are a few terms that you should get familiar with and understand.

- Spring rates are generally rated in pounds per inch (lb/in), which represents the amount of force required to compress the coil spring by 1 inch. For example, a 900 lb/in spring will compress 1 inch under a load of 900 pounds. This is not the same thing as pounds per square inch (psi), which is a measure of pressure.

- Spring load is the amount of weight that a coil spring can support at any given compressed height. More simply put, if a 10-inch-tall spring at free height with a 200 lb/in rate were compressed to a height of 6 inches, it would be supporting 800 pounds at that height.

- Spring sag happens over time and will eventually drop a car's ride height even lower. While this won't affect its spring rate, it can cause other problems, such as ground clearance, causing the tires to rub or the chassis to compress onto the bumpstops.

Dropping the rear of a leaf-spring car with lowering blocks isn't generally recommended. Lowering blocks create a lever between the main spring and the rear axle, which stresses the spring and ultimately promotes wheelhop. However, if you must use lowering blocks, refrain from using any kit that will drop the rear by more than an inch.
Dropping the rear of a leaf-spring car with lowering blocks isn't generally recommended. L
Mopars feature a torsion-bar front-suspension system that makes lowering a breeze. Simply crank down the bolt and that's it! Don't go too crazy, though. As we said earlier, lower isn't always better, especially since the suspension needs to be compliant to the road surface for maximum adhesion.
Mopars feature a torsion-bar front-suspension system that makes lowering a breeze. Simply
It's always a good idea to update suspension components when lowering the car. Since you're going to be underneath the chassis anyway, go ahead and replace the ball joints and any worn-out bushings.
It's always a good idea to update suspension components when lowering the car. Since you'r

Keep a watchful eye on tire and fender clearances. If you're already rubbing, then chances are you'll have to go to a lower-profile tire, or possibly roll the fenderwells. Either way, it's another aspect of lowering you should keep in mind.
Keep a watchful eye on tire and fender clearances. If you're already rubbing, then chances

SOURCES
Detroit Eaton Springs 1555 Michigan Ave. Detroit MI 3-13/-963-3839	Hotchkis Performance 12035 Burke St., Ste. 13 Santa Fe Springs CA 90670 877-466-7655 www.hotchkis.net
Eibach Springs 17817 Gillette Ave. Irvine CA 92614 959-752-6700 www.eibach.com	Performance Suspension
Energy Suspension 1131 Via Callejon San Clemente CA 92673	Performance Suspension Technology (PST) Box 396 Montville NJ 07045 N/A www.p-s-t.com/
Global West Suspension 877-470-2975 www.globalwest.net