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lowering tour abt 1 1/2"..........question

R

reddired

Veteran CEG'er
Joined
Sep 18, 2007
Messages
529
Location
deeeeetroit, mi
Hey gang, i don't have alot of money and i want to lower my 98 contour.
i saw some screw clamps at an auto parts store.
looks like they clamp onto the spring then you tighten the screw to compress the spring to your desired height.
what do you think about that.
i expect a tighter ride but would my tires then be tilted for uneven tread wear?
the clamps are about $8 a piece and there is a sspn shop that will install them for me for about $150.

thanks in advance!
 
It sounds like you are talking about spring compressors... which compress the springs so that you can safely remove the Springs from the Struts... these should NOT be used on a car when in use.... If you are talking about placing constant tension on the stock springs it will wear out your shocks real quick and also its NO good for the springs... just do some research and put the wheels on hold.... you can snag some used springs in the classifieds for cheap or buy brand new Koni springs for around 150... just search a bit. Also, IIRC the sticky has additional info about springs and how much they lower.
 
98SVTC said:
Have what installed? Spring compressors? No one in their right mind would take a tool and try to install it as if it were a car part. If you were referring to something else, please specifiy.
Karl
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No I am referring to what he said, he said that you would just install them to make your current springs into coilovers in a sense. Im just saying I wonder what shop would actually agree to installing them to a car because I know the actual use for them.
 
The Five-Oh! said:
i my old corolla i had spring compressor on all 4 corners for about a 1" drop, they just went on the coil, 2 per spring, and they tighten down, looked like exhaust clamps, worked fine, never had a problem.
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and that folks is a solid reason why he is known as mexicasian:laugh:

dude dont lower your car with spring clamps:nonono: get some springs, if your trying to save a buck just keep your eye in the classifieds they pop up occasionally
 
bagged said:
and that folks is a solid reason why he is known as mexicasian:laugh:

dude dont lower your car with spring clamps:nonono: get some springs, if your trying to save a buck just keep your eye in the classifieds they pop up occasionally
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well i neglected to state that it was only like that for about a week til the new struts and springs came in.
 
yes. please dont be that guy. do it right. save up a little cash before "modifying" your car. dont be the 16 year old kid who blows every penny he gets at pep boys just because he has no where else to spend $20
 
S2Knott said:
i guy over on tcca did this to his taurus and his BMW 3 series!

he welded on two clamps to each springs and lowered it about an 1.25"-1.75"
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someone who lowers a bmw like that doesnt deserve to own it! not to mention welding on a heat treated spring =dumbass

Cut/heated/shimmed/clamped springs!!!
-Heating, clamping, or shimming springs is a bad idea! They may lower/stiffen/soften your car but the negative effects more than out weigh the positives, and can be dangerous. Harsh ride, bouncy ride, what if one clamp breaks or shim falls out! Springs are engineered to safely support the weight of the car and have specific ride traits.
-Cutting suspension springs requires knowledge in suspension tuning, as well as metallurgical knowledge in how the cutting method affects the springs and car. Unless you possess this knowledge and know what you are doing, we recommend you leave the spring design to the professionals.
-We suggest you save up and do it right by buying a product designed for our cars!
 
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It actually doesnt sount like a bad idea... Kinda logical... to lower the car... I would do it for like a car show or something, 1 day type thing tho!

But the many negative issues that arise do sound like they will shatter everything else in your car! Dont do it and mess up your nice ride!:shrug:

- amyn
 
Clamping springs to lower them is nearly as lame as torching them to lower the car. Torching springs was somewhat common in the 50s and 60s. They often led to broken springs two or three years later.

If you are going to lower a car, do it right. What is the right way for one car may not be right for another, but clamping springs or heating springs until you have the desired drop is never the right way.
 
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