Compressing suspension springs?

[Tony Starks]

I've been wanting to get my car lowered so was going to get a set of lowered springs, but someone at work said I could get my current springs compressed instead.

Now I've never heard of this and it sounds a bit dodgy to me, but everyone here in NZ seems to have done it here it seems.

Edited by Tony Starks on Wednesday 5th May 08:44

[LaurenceFrost]

I think what they are talking about is the process of removing/refitting the springs.

You need to compress the springs with some spring compressors. These are just clamps which prevent the spring from flying off when you undo the spring retainer from the damper. The compressors keep the spring compressed, leaving you to undo the top mount without fear of the spring hitting you.

You can then unwind them carefully once the spring is fully removed from the damper.

You certainly wouldn't leave them on whilst driving though!

[Tony Starks]

No, it's definetly compressing the springs to make them lower, heres an example http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Car-parts...

If these had been standard I'd have had them, but because they're compressed I'm dubious.

[Silent1]

They don't mean that they've cut the springs then?

[The Black Flash]

Bizarre. Surely if they compressed them enough to permanently change their length, they'd have gone beyond their elastic limit and be permanently fubared.

[Spragnut]

You can get these things called Spring Clamps that allow you to clamp up 2 or 3 coils to lower the suspension.

Look pretty rubbish to me, I'd prefer to go with lowering springs. I imagine you'd get a fair bit of knocking from the other coils hitting the clamps..

[The Black Flash]

That's bodgetastic

[Hooli]

Could be the other just as bodgey way I've seen springs done. Gas torch the springs when compressed so the metal softens & the springs end up shorter. I can't believe it doesn't damage them so they are more likely to snap or have uneven elasticity though.

[Fulvisti]

You can have your existing springs reset by a spring maker. They'll re temper them correctly to the height you want.