How to Lower a Car

Last Updated: February 16, 2023 References

There are several methods to use when lowering a car. Whether you prefer the sporty look of a slightly lower stance, or a more dramatic drop in height, learning how to lower a car is a straight-forward process which requires manipulating the vehicle's suspension. We'll show you what it's all about.

Method 1

Method 1 of 5:

For Leaf Springs

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Alter your vehicle's leaf springs. Leaf springs consists of thin strips of spring steel banded and bolted together.^{[1]
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Remove the leaf springs from the rear suspension of the vehicle. Take them to a spring shop and have them de-arched,^{[2]
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- Another option is reversing the set up by placing the axle on top of the leaf spring, which is called a flip kit. This can be done by a home mechanic with common hand tools.
- To get even greater or increased drop, couple the flip kit with lowering blocks. These are available online or from your local auto parts store. They come in differing heights and will enable the vehicle to drop extremely low. They can be installed by a home mechanic. Depending on how low you go, you may have to install a C-notch above your real axle. The purpose of the notch is to give you a greater clearance between your frame and axle.^{[3]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 5:

For Coil Springs

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Manipulate your car's coil springs. Coil springs can be found on a car's front and/or back suspension, and are attached onto the A-frame or the axles.
- You can remove the stock coil springs and replace them with shorter springs, or take your springs to a spring shop and have the coils softened and shortened.^{[4]
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You can also cut the coils yourself.^{[5]
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- Use a grinder, cutting wheel, or torch to cut them.
- Start with cutting in quarter- or half-coil-turn increments, because cutting a coil is a permanent action. You may have to install shorter bump stops or cut your stock ones to fit.

Method 3

Method 3 of 5:

Replace Springs

1
Replace the springs and shocks. Trade them out for adjustable airbag units^{[6]
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- In addition to installing the airbags to replace the springs, this method of lowering your car also requires installation of air lines, an air compressor, air reservoir tank and system activation switch.^{[7]
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- This process can be done at home.
- If you have rear leaf springs, you will need to get rid of them and replace them with a 4 link setup. This process usually needs a professional fabricator.

Method 4

Method 4 of 5:

Hydraulic Cylinders

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Replacing your car's springs with hydraulic cylinders. Hydraulics can be installed on 1, 2, 3 or all 4 suspension corners of your car.^{[8]
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- Installing a hydraulic system also requires installing an internal control system, hydraulic pumps and batteries to operate the pumps.
- One drawback to this method of lowering your vehicle is the large amount of battery power required to operate each hydraulic pump in the system.

Method 5

Method 5 of 5:

Lower the Torsion Bar

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Adjust your car's torsion bars down using the torsion bar key.
- This will sag your vehicle so it is lower to the ground.
- Torsion bars come factory equipped on vehicles and consists of a spring steel bar that's used in place of a coil or leaf spring. The torsion bar key is part of the torsion bar, which allows the vehicle ride height to be adjusted at the factory when the vehicle is built and as needed afterward.
- It's easily adjusted with a small hand wrench at home.

Community Q&A

Question

How can I lower a Polo classic?

Community Answer

You should follow the instructions listed above.
Question

I would like to lower a 2013 Nissan Quest a couple of inches. Can this be done without going broke and wrecking the van?

Community Answer

Yes, just get coilovers. That way you can adjust the height to your liking.
Question

Which of these methods are considered dangerous for the car?

Community Answer

Cutting the springs on a vehicle will put too much stress on the shocks, which can cause the shocks to break. Spring compressors will lower your vehicle, but if the spring compresses too much, the compressors will fall off. If you're going to lower your vehicle, do it right, and buy a new set of springs and struts.

Warnings

If you don't have a basic understanding on how suspension works, do not lower a vehicle yourself.

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In some locations, it may be illegal to adjust the stance of your vehicle while in motion.

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Make sure to look, observe, and move any line or electrical wires that may get crushed when your lowered ride hits a gnarly bump.

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Changing suspension elements may void some vehicle warranties. If in doubt, check with your dealership, insurance agent or finance company before proceeding.

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Lowering a vehicle exposes it to road hazards which unaltered vehicles are typically positioned high enough to avoid.

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Replacing your springs with an airbag system requires a lot of fabrication, from removing the existing springs to plumbing the new air system and its components. Air bags also provide a rougher ride.

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After lowering your vehicle many factors change and if you don't compensate for the changes, parts will break. Ex- if you don't compensate for pinion angle, then you will go through universal joints like no other.

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