DIY Guide: Mastering the Installation of Lowering Springs for Enhanced Vehicle Performance and Aesthetics

Lowering springs are a popular modification for car enthusiasts seeking to improve both the appearance and handling of their vehicles. By reducing the ride height, these springs offer a more aggressive stance, enhanced cornering capabilities, and a generally sportier feel. However, installing lowering springs is a more involved process than many other common car modifications and requires a good understanding of your vehicle’s suspension system, the right tools, and a safe working environment. This comprehensive guide will walk you through each step, providing detailed instructions and expert tips to help you successfully install lowering springs on your car.

Before You Begin: Preparation is Key

Before you even think about touching your car, proper preparation is crucial. This involves gathering the necessary tools and materials, researching your specific vehicle, and understanding the potential risks involved.

1. Gather Your Tools and Materials

Having all the right tools readily available will significantly speed up the installation process and prevent unnecessary frustration. Here’s a comprehensive list of what you’ll need:

• New Lowering Springs: Ensure they are compatible with your specific make, model, and year.
• Jack and Jack Stands: High-quality, sturdy jack stands are essential for safety.
• Wheel Chocks: To prevent your car from rolling.
• Socket Set: Including various sizes, both metric and potentially imperial.
• Wrench Set: Including both open-ended and box wrenches.
• Torque Wrench: Absolutely essential for tightening bolts to the manufacturer’s specifications.
• Spring Compressor: A high-quality, properly functioning spring compressor is non-negotiable.
• Pry Bar: For leverage when removing or installing suspension components.
• Penetrating Oil: To loosen stubborn bolts and nuts.
• Safety Glasses: To protect your eyes from flying debris.
• Work Gloves: To protect your hands.
• Optional: Impact wrench (can speed up the process), Anti-seize compound, Zip ties, Digital camera (for documentation).

2. Research Your Specific Vehicle

Every car is different, and suspension setups can vary greatly even within the same make and model. Before starting, research the specific procedures for your vehicle. Consult your car’s service manual, online forums, or YouTube tutorials specific to your car’s make, model and year. Understanding any potential challenges or specific steps ahead of time can save you a lot of headaches.

3. Understand the Risks

Working on suspension components is inherently dangerous if not done correctly. Springs under compression store an incredible amount of energy and can cause severe injury if they come loose unexpectedly. Always prioritize safety and take your time. If you are not comfortable with any aspect of this process, it’s best to seek professional help. Never, under any circumstances, skip the use of spring compressors.

4. Prepare Your Workspace

Choose a level, stable surface, preferably concrete in your garage or driveway. Ensure you have adequate lighting. Gather all your tools and materials in one place, so they are within easy reach. Clear the area around your vehicle to provide ample room to work.

Step-by-Step Installation Process

Now that you’re prepared, let’s dive into the step-by-step installation process. This guide assumes you’re working on a typical strut-type suspension system, which is common in many modern vehicles. Keep in mind that specifics might vary slightly depending on your vehicle. We will cover front and rear suspensions separately for clarity.

Front Suspension

1. Loosen Lug Nuts: While the car is still on the ground, use your lug wrench to loosen the lug nuts on the front wheels. Do NOT remove them completely at this stage; just break them free.
2. Secure the Car: Place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels to prevent the car from rolling. Then, use your floor jack to lift the front of the vehicle and position jack stands securely under the designated jacking points (check your car’s manual for correct jacking points). Never work under a car only supported by a jack.
3. Remove the Wheels: Once the car is safely supported, remove the lug nuts completely and remove the front wheels. Store them safely out of the way.
4. Locate Strut Mount Bolts: Identify the bolts holding the strut assembly to the wheel hub and to the chassis. These are typically located at the top (under the hood or in the wheel well), and at the bottom connecting to the knuckle/hub assembly.
5. Loosen Strut Bolts (Bottom): Use your wrench to loosen the bolts connecting the strut to the hub assembly. Do not remove them completely yet, just break them free. Penetrating oil is your friend if they are rusted.
6. Loosen Strut Mount Bolts (Top): Similarly, loosen the top strut mount bolts. Again, do not remove them entirely yet.
7. Disconnect ABS sensor or brake lines (if necessary): Depending on your vehicle, you may need to disconnect ABS sensor or brake lines which are often attached to the strut assembly to prevent them from stretching or damage when removing the strut. Handle this delicately and take photos for reassembly reference.
8. Support the Hub Assembly: Use a jack stand, a sturdy box, or a suspension support tool under the hub assembly to prevent it from dropping too far. This also makes reinstallation easier.
9. Remove Strut Assembly: Carefully remove all the bolts from the strut assembly. You may need to use a pry bar to gently persuade the strut to come loose. With all the bolts removed, the strut assembly should come free.
10. Compress the Strut Assembly: Now is the time to use your Spring Compressor. Following the manufacturer’s instructions carefully, securely attach the spring compressors to the coil spring of the strut assembly and slowly begin compressing it. Make sure the spring is held securely and is not skewed in the compressor. Continue compressing until the top strut mount is loose. This is arguably the most dangerous step. Take your time and be extra cautious. NEVER compress a spring without a properly functioning spring compressor.
11. Remove the Top Strut Mount: Once compressed, you should be able to remove the top strut mount and carefully remove the old spring from the strut. Note the orientation of the spring and any shims, spacers, or insulators for correct reassembly. Take photos.
12. Install New Lowering Spring: Carefully install the new lowering spring onto the strut, ensuring it is correctly seated in the perches. Make sure the isolators and all components are positioned as they were originally.
13. Reassemble the Strut Assembly: Carefully position the top strut mount and slowly release the spring compressor, ensuring everything sits correctly and is fully aligned. Once fully released, remove the spring compressors.
14. Reinstall the Strut Assembly: Position the strut assembly back into the vehicle, aligning the bolt holes and install the bolts. Tighten the top and bottom strut bolts to the manufacturers specified torque using your torque wrench. Consult your service manual for these specifications.
15. Reconnect ABS Sensor/Brake Lines: If you disconnected any ABS sensor wires or brake lines in step 7, carefully reconnect them now.
16. Repeat for the Other Side: Follow the same procedure for the other front strut.

Rear Suspension (Typically Simpler Than Front)

Rear suspension designs can vary more significantly. However, a similar process is usually followed. Here are the general steps for a typical independent rear suspension with coil springs:

1. Loosen Lug Nuts: Just like the front, loosen the rear lug nuts while the car is still on the ground.
2. Secure the Car: Place wheel chocks in front of the front wheels and use your floor jack to raise the rear of the car and position jack stands at the proper jacking points. Make sure the car is stable.
3. Remove the Wheels: Remove the rear wheels and set them aside.
4. Locate the Spring: Identify the spring’s mounting points. Typically, these are where the spring sits in the lower control arm, and on the chassis.
5. Support the Lower Control Arm (If necessary): Some suspensions will require you to support the control arm with a jack once disconnected from the spring. This will help with re-assembly.
6. Disconnect Lower Control Arm (if required): Some springs are only accessible after disconnecting the control arm from the hub assembly. Refer to your service manual or specific resources for your vehicle’s instructions for this step.
7. Remove the Old Spring: Many rear springs can be removed by simply lifting the chassis or control arm and easing the old spring out, there may be a bolt at the top or bottom of the spring to remove. However, there are some instances where the spring will need to be compressed before it can be removed. If this is the case follow the steps from the Front Suspension for compressing and removing the spring.
8. Install the New Lowering Spring: Install the new lowering spring, making sure it is seated correctly. Reinstall all the components to where they were originally. Make sure you have used all isolators, rubber bushings or shims.
9. Reassemble: If you disconnected any suspension components such as the control arm, reassemble them now and tighten them to their correct torque. Refer to your service manual.
10. Repeat for the Other Side: Follow the same procedure for the other rear spring.

Post-Installation: The Final Steps

Once you have installed the new lowering springs, there are several critical steps to finalize your work:

1. Double-Check Everything

Before lowering the car, go back and double-check all the bolts and connections. Make sure everything is tightened to the manufacturer’s specifications using your torque wrench. Don’t skip this crucial step.

2. Reinstall the Wheels

Carefully reinstall the wheels and hand-tighten the lug nuts.

3. Lower the Vehicle

Slowly lower the vehicle with the jack until the wheels touch the ground. Remove the jack stands. Don’t fully lower the vehicle yet.

4. Torque the Lug Nuts

Use your torque wrench to tighten the lug nuts to the manufacturer’s specified torque. Do this in a star pattern to ensure even tightening.

5. Fully Lower the Vehicle

Completely lower the vehicle off the jack. Remove the jack from under the car.

6. Check Wheel Clearance

Once the vehicle is fully on the ground check the wheel clearance carefully. Check that the wheels do not rub on the wheel arches or suspension components.

7. Test Drive Carefully

Take the car for a short, slow test drive around the block. Listen for any unusual noises or vibrations. Check the steering and handling. If everything feels okay, gradually increase your speed, still keeping a watchful eye and ear out for problems.

8. Get a Wheel Alignment

Lowering your car drastically changes the suspension geometry and can cause improper tire wear and handling problems. It is essential to get a wheel alignment done by a professional mechanic as soon as possible after installing lowering springs.

9. Re-check All Bolts

After 50-100 miles of driving, re-check all the bolts you worked on to make sure they haven’t come loose. This is an important step for safety.

Troubleshooting

Even with careful preparation, you might encounter some issues during installation:

• Stripped Bolts/Nuts: If you strip a bolt or nut, you’ll need to replace it. Visit your local auto parts store to get a replacement.
• Spring Compressor Difficulties: If you have issues with your spring compressor, stop and inspect the unit. If you feel it is unsafe, stop the installation immediately and consider seeking help from a professional.
• Unusual Noises: If you hear unusual clunking or creaking noises after installation, recheck all the connections for tightness. If the noise persists, seek assistance from a professional mechanic.
• Alignment Problems: If the steering feels off or the tires seem to be wearing unevenly, take your car for an alignment immediately.

Final Thoughts

Installing lowering springs can be a challenging but rewarding DIY project. By following these detailed instructions, taking your time, and prioritizing safety, you can achieve the enhanced performance and aesthetics you’re looking for. Remember, if at any point you feel uncomfortable or unsure, it’s always best to seek professional assistance. With patience and attention to detail, you can transform your car and enjoy the benefits of a lowered suspension.