{"id":4646,"date":"2023-03-16T12:08:14","date_gmt":"2023-03-16T12:08:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/nycscreenwriter.org\/?p=4646"},"modified":"2023-04-03T11:08:17","modified_gmt":"2023-04-03T11:08:17","slug":"what-are-the-dangers-of-lowering-my-car","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/nycscreenwriter.org\/what-are-the-dangers-of-lowering-my-car.html","title":{"rendered":"What are the dangers of lowering my car?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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It's fairly common for car owners to modify their cars' suspensions to make their car ride lower. Usually, aesthetics is one of the main reasons for lowering the ride height – many people prefer the look of a lower car – but in theory, there are other benefits:<\/p>\n
Some aftermarket suspensions improve handling in ways other than lowering the car, so lowering can only be considered an added benefit. This is the theory. But what about in practice: is lowering a car a good idea, and is it safe?<\/p>\n
It turns out that the answer depends primarily on exactly how you plan to lower the car.<\/p>\n
On the one hand, expensive (several thousand dollars) aftermarket kits (often with coilovers) carefully designed for each car model for which they are offered. Many of them lower the vehicle (although that's not necessarily the main purpose) and well-designed kits that have been properly installed are safe.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, there are a variety of approaches in which only a few or none of the existing parts are replaced. Instead, existing parts, typically springs or torsion bars, are modified.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, these low-cost approaches can be harmful to your vehicle or even make it unsafe to drive.<\/p>\n
The first concern is the lowering process itself. Most automotive repairs and modifications should be done by a professional, but this is even more true for suspension work than almost any other type. Automotive springs exert thousands of pounds of force, and if you don't follow proper procedures when removing and reinstalling them, they can cause serious injury or death. Always leave suspension work to your qualified mechanic.<\/p>\n
But if you've done the job properly, what are the dangers of lowering your car or truck? The most common are:<\/p>\n
Most of these problems do not result in a serious threat to life or limb. The exception to this rule is extreme camber changes, which can reduce braking performance enough to make the car unsafe; it can cost a "camber kit" available to prevent this effect, but it is important not to drive a vehicle whose camber deviates greatly from stock. Similarly, it is important to ensure that the steering system functions properly after it has been lowered. This is usually not a big risk if a car is only lowered an inch or two, but beyond that, it may be necessary to make significant changes to make sure the car is safe.<\/p>\n
Many of the other disadvantages can be reduced or eliminated by appropriate measures; For example, achieving wheel alignment after any suspension work, including lowering, can eliminate the increased tire wear problem. And if a tire rubs the sheet metal, it may be possible to roll the edge of the fender or quarter panel enough to eliminate the problem.<\/p>\n
It's important to understand that while the serious mechanical problems may be preventable, almost any method of lowering your car will result in a harsher and, for many people, less comfortable ride, and most owners of lowered cars will experience increased wear and tear on various components.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
It's fairly common for car owners to modify their cars' suspensions to make their car ride lower. Usually, aesthetics is one of the main reasons for…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n