YACT: Can a car be un-lowered easily?

[The Dancing Peacock]

I'm going to go look at a car on Monday or Tuesday that has been lowered almost 2 inches. I'm not one of those types of guys that drive slammed cars. I wouldnt' mind maybe .5 to .75 inches but not 2", and would be perfectly happy having it back to stock height.

I'm a car n00b, but from what I understand, theres 2 ways to do it: 1. cut the OEM springs down to the level you want, or install new aftermarket ones that will lower it like that. Correct me if I'm wrong please.

If they haven't been cut, can I get the installed springs adjusted to not ride so low if they'll go that way? Ballpark how much would it cost?
If they have been cut, or can't be adjusted, what's it going to run me to replace them? Would any lasting damage have been done in cutting the springs or installing aftermarket ones to the rest of the car's components?

 

[wnied]

Easily? no. But it can be done by replacing the springs with stock springs and the recommended stock shocks.

~wnied~

 

[Zenmervolt]

If it's done improperly (ie, just changing the springs) then there will be damage to the rest of the suspension and probably the tires will be worn out of spec. A proper lowering job will replace a lot of suspension componants so that the caster, camber and toe-in remain at acceptable levels.

ZV

 

[SlowSS]

Originally posted by: The Dancing Peacock
I'm going to go look at a car on Monday or Tuesday that has been lowered almost 2 inches. I'm not one of those types of guys that drive slammed cars. I wouldnt' mind maybe .5 to .75 inches but not 2", and would be perfectly happy having it back to stock height.

I'm a car n00b, but from what I understand, theres 2 ways to do it: 1. cut the OEM springs down to the level you want, or install new aftermarket ones that will lower it like that. Correct me if I'm wrong please.

If they haven't been cut, can I get the installed springs adjusted to not ride so low if they'll go that way? Ballpark how much would it cost?
If they have been cut, or can't be adjusted, what's it going to run me to replace them? Would any lasting damage have been done in cutting the springs or installing aftermarket ones to the rest of the car's components?

I lowered my car about an inch. No it isn't easy task unless you have all the tools and knowledge. But ultimately you'll probably have to take the car to the

shop to get re-alignment.

I bought after market springs, Lower Control Arms, Relocation Bracket, Bilstein shocks (Not necessary), and Adjustable Panhard Rod (to ensure axle is centered).

I would not re-use OEM springs that have been cut, I would get a new set of springs to meet your needs. My springs cost me aroung $300 only because
I wanted top notch springs.

 

[The Dancing Peacock]

so what if he just cut the OEM springs, do you think I should stay away from the car?

If he did it right, would it be easy to adjust how far it has been lowered raise the car up an inch or more?

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: The Dancing Peacock
so what if he just cut the OEM springs, do you think I should stay away from the car?

If he did it right, would it be easy to adjust how far it has been lowered raise the car up an inch or more?

If he did it wrong and has driven it any length of time, you'll basically have to replace the suspension (well, a lot of the bushings and other asorted stuff). If he did it right, you'll have to replace everything that he replaced to do it right. Basically, ask him what he did, get a quote on what it will cost to repair what he did, and ask him to take that much off of the price.

ZV

 

[PsychoAndy]

If he cut the springs, i'd stay away from it.

 

[SlowSS]

Originally posted by: The Dancing Peacock
so what if he just cut the OEM springs, do you think I should stay away from the car?

If he did it right, would it be easy to adjust how far it has been lowered raise the car up an inch or more?

I don't know if you need to stay away from the car or not.

You wouldn't be able to raise the car with springs that have been cut, so you will most likely need new springs to get your desired height.

 

[Imported]

Nevermind..

 

[lowtech1]

Originally posted by: The Dancing Peacock
I'm going to go look at a car on Monday or Tuesday that has been lowered almost 2 inches. I'm not one of those types of guys that drive slammed cars. I wouldnt' mind maybe .5 to .75 inches but not 2", and would be perfectly happy having it back to stock height.

I'm a car n00b, but from what I understand, theres 2 ways to do it: 1. cut the OEM springs down to the level you want, or install new aftermarket ones that will lower it like that. Correct me if I'm wrong please.

If they haven't been cut, can I get the installed springs adjusted to not ride so low if they'll go that way? Ballpark how much would it cost?
If they have been cut, or can't be adjusted, what's it going to run me to replace them? Would any lasting damage have been done in cutting the springs or installing aftermarket ones to the rest of the car's components?

There must be some car out there that isn't lowered for you to purchase

 

[Nocturnal]

Depends on what type of car you have actually. A regular Honda or Acura or import car, you can either cut your springs or you can buy specially made drop springs or coil overs. I would suggest the latter. Also you can always lift your car back up. Just make sure you save your springs. If you do cut your stock springs, you'll have to purchase new ones or find some at the junk yard. Also, you should do everything yourself. Lowering your car shouldnt be hard. It wasn't for me. I hope you don't pay an outrageous amount just to lower your car too.

 

[Nocturnal]

Originally posted by: The Dancing Peacock
so what if he just cut the OEM springs, do you think I should stay away from the car?

If he did it right, would it be easy to adjust how far it has been lowered raise the car up an inch or more?

No, even if he did cut the OEM springs there is nothing wrong with the car. You just have to get new springs, have someone install them. Then you will need to have your car re-aligned, and check the toe and whatever else is done when doing an alignment. That's it, they haven't ruined anything critical. Unless they had it slammed to the earth and they scratched up or made an hole in the exhaust piping then you might have a problem. Other then that you should be fine with just lifting the car back to stock specs.

But also a warning, if you're buying a Honda or a Acura, you might want to steer clear of buying an already modified car. They may have pounded the crap out of the car and what not.

What kind of car is this?

 

[The Dancing Peacock]

Originally posted by: Nocturnal

Originally posted by: The Dancing Peacock
so what if he just cut the OEM springs, do you think I should stay away from the car?

If he did it right, would it be easy to adjust how far it has been lowered raise the car up an inch or more?

No, even if he did cut the OEM springs there is nothing wrong with the car. You just have to get new springs, have someone install them. Then you will need to have your car re-aligned, and check the toe and whatever else is done when doing an alignment. That's it, they haven't ruined anything critical. Unless they had it slammed to the earth and they scratched up or made an hole in the exhaust piping then you might have a problem. Other then that you should be fine with just lifting the car back to stock specs.

But also a warning, if you're buying a Honda or a Acura, you might want to steer clear of buying an already modified car. They may have pounded the crap out of the car and what not.

What kind of car is this?

it's a 99 accord coupe. He said the only mods on it were an intake, and it doesn't have a body kit.

The reason I am looking at it is because it's a silver 5 speed EX with low miles. It's essentially the car I want, just gotta see if it's worth the trouble if it really is lowered that much. I wouldn't buy it till I got it checked out by my mechanic anyway.

 

[SlowSS]

Actually, if you cut springs, and don't do it right, springs get very hot, and heat will

take the strength out of the metal and rate out of the spring. It will eventually snap due to weakened metal.

 

[PreDatoR]

if he's cut the springs and didn't drop it properly i wouldn't buy it.... A guy i work with has a 96 Maxima... sweet car 18 inch rims and he wanted to drop it 3 inches... was gonna get new springs only for it... i told him why that wasn't a good idea and after an hr he seen the light and started saving up to do it right. told me the other day he ordered all the parts he needs to do it right. Costs a lot more... but he won't wear out tires on the insides... and the car will handle a hell of a lot better with the tire seting flat on the road.

 

[notfred]

You can find stock springs for most cars that are popular to lower for free or next to nothing. If you have aftermarket springs in the car, find an enthusiat with a similar car that knows what he's doing mechanically. Tell him he can have your aftermarket springs in exchange for his stock ones, he jsut has to do the swap

 

[Salvador]

Don't cut your springs. You'll hate the ride quality. What it ends up doing is making your springs way too stiff for your car because you end up screwing with the spring rates. I have a neighbor kid that did this with his Civic and he hated it so much, he won't touch the stock springs on his A4 Audi that are way too high IMO. He probably thinks that lowered=harsh ride, but if you get a good set of progressive rate lowering springs from someone like H&R or Eibach, you'll be much happier. You'll get the look that you're after, your ride quality won't suffer and your car will handle better.

Sal