Doug&Julie

Can a car be lowered without replacing the springs? The shop that did my rear wheel bearings showed me how I need new shocks and front drop links. I asked them if they can set the ride height, etc. with just the shocks and he seemed to think they could (althought I was talking to a lackey and not the guru of Pcar suspensions). Everything I'm reading here seems to indicate you have to change the springs to change the ride height? The work probably won't be done until next Spring but I thought I'd start shopping now in case any deals come up or at least just spread the costs out a bit over winter.

Is this something you guys think a less than average mechanic can do in his garage? Utlimately the alignment would be done by experts, but I can unbolt things and bolt other things back on. Is there a step-by-step guide to this anywhere?

Thanks!

Makmov

The little bit of adjustment on the shocks is enough to balance the four corners of the car and that is about it.

vespam5

Quick answer: No. You must change springs to lower the car.

hawk911

There's limited adjustment, but the spring perches are threaded. True lowering is done with appropriate springs.

Doug&Julie

Thanks all, that's what I thought. I'll add springs to my shopping list. I'm not looking to slam it, but definitely lower it. I'll search for best options. The rear is almost right but the front needs to come down a little.

Ken D

Best to replace the springs when you do the shocks/struts. New springs on bad dampeners will make for a poor ride.

Makmov

that because it's worn out in the back and sagging

+ 1 I would replace the dampers and springs all at the same time.

You can do Bilstien HDs and H&R springs just north of 1K. + install.

It is not that hard of a job, you will need a spring compressor and some big tools ( big sockets, breaker bars, air and an impact would help getting it apart) there is some big hardware holding it together and on the car.

R6XTERRA

On a level of 1-10, 3-4, this is a days worth of work worst case scenario. While you are in there, do some cleaning. Thats was where I spent my time.

tbennett017

...and it's worth it. Your car would look so awesome with HR Greens and Bilstein HDs. It puts the wheels where they belong.

I did that, as well as the correct swaybars for the C4, and I dialed out the understeer.

hawk911

I've done 3 of them, including my own. 5-6 hrs now. What helps the most is having a regular shop bust the rear bolt on the bottom of the shocks. Saves you probably an hour trying to get the right angle and right breaker bar in position. Just have them break it loose and snug it up again; shouldn't cost much at all.

The spring compressor is fine, but not truly necessary. Rent one if you don't already own one.

Makmov

Those lower rear bolts are buggers, for sure.

Doug&Julie

For sure I would not replace springs w/o shocks. Would you ever replace shocks w/o springs? ..or do they wear as well? (Not that I'm necessarily going to do this, just curious.)

Makmov

Yeah, if the spring is okay and just have a blown out shock then you wouldn't need to replace the spring too. 911s just have a habit of falling down in the back.