Ways to lower a car's suspension: pros and consCar suspension

Many car owners, especially those from the domestic auto industry, want to bring the appearance of their vehicles to perfection using various methods of visual tuning. To do this, it is often enough to do several processes, such as lowering the car and changing rims. It is these visual tuning processes that make a car unusual and force you to look at it from a slightly different angle.

True, if you have no idea how to lower a car, it is better to consult with professionals, otherwise your work will look funny. You can often see the consequences of artisanal understatement, which creates the complete feeling that you are coming from a collective farm and carrying a car full of potatoes. Agree, this is not the most desirable result of lowering a car.

Cheap ways to lower your car that you shouldn't use

The vast majority of motorists who want to make inexpensive tuning and lower their car turn to so-called garage workshops and use methods that do not make the car safe.
This is a very important point that should always be taken into account when performing any tasks with your car. If you are offered a way to implement a lower ground clearance that does not require the purchase of new spare parts and is quite simple and fast, you should be wary and take the information carefully. Often these methods are expressed by the following possibilities for lowering the car:

shortened standard springs - 1.5-2 turns are simply sawed off from them;
cutting off the rod in the rack so that the car sits 50-70 millimeters lower;
cutting the bases of struts and springs is generally an impermissible process;
installation of non-standard and inappropriate spare parts for the model range taken from disassembly.

Remember that replacing any suspension elements must be thought out. This is the safety of your trip, and if you decide to simply saw off a piece of the spring, then get ready for a trip with terrible comfort and incredibly negative sensations. And these are not all the disadvantages that you will get in this case.

Understating a car should be done with an understanding of all the negative processes and possibilities. If this turns out to be too complicated a process for you, which costs a lot of money, then it is better to abandon the idea of lowering the car and continue operating the car in the current mode.

For more information about correct suspension lowering and the safety of this process, watch the video:

How to lower a car's suspension

Ground clearance is a term that characterizes the clearance between the bottom point of the car body and the road surface.
For some car enthusiasts, this parameter is decisive when choosing a car. Reducing the value of this characteristic is called lowering the car. Lowering the car can be done in several ways:

Californian rake

French rake - the rear part of the body is lower than the front;

parallel - parallel lowering of the entire car body relative to the surface.

The last option is the most common for the simple reason that uneven ground clearance is used only in a limited number of vehicles, for example, in hot rodds.

Installation of lower springs

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Installation of lower springs. If you do not want to cut existing springs, you can buy new products that have a lower height (such springs are often called sports springs).

Their main difference is the height, which is four centimeters less than in standard models.

If you want to save money, then you can lower the suspension this way without outside help. If in doubt, it is better to contact specialists in this matter. Moreover, the alignment will still have to be done.

The advantage of this method is its comparative simplicity and the ability to quickly return everything to its place (install old springs). Another advantage of sports springs is that they have greater rigidity and do not sag as much as standard (hand-shortened) products.

The disadvantage is the cost of purchasing new springs, as well as increasing the overall rigidity of the car. But with this type of tuning this is a common occurrence.

Another method to reduce ride height is to install coilovers (adjustable sports springs). This is very convenient, because you can adjust the vehicle’s ground clearance at any time.

Advantages of installing coilovers:

versatility. They can be adapted to any shock absorbers - both regular and sports;
possibility of adjustment. Just a few minutes and the necessary changes to the ground clearance are made;
ease of installation. If you wish, you can do all the work yourself.

There is only one drawback - the need to spend money on purchasing these devices.

Installing an air suspension is an option for real tuning fans. Why? – Yes, because the cost of such an alteration amounts to several thousand, or even tens of thousands of rubles.

To organize the process, you need to spend money on the purchase of air bags (for the front and rear), pressure sensors (they monitor pressure indicators in the above-mentioned bags), a receiver, a compressor (for inflation) and a control panel.

But the high cost of all the components listed above is still half the problem. You must be prepared for the costly installation of all equipment. This kind of work cannot be entrusted to some “Vasya from the garage.”

Installation of air springs should only be carried out by qualified specialists and only at specialized service stations.

This is a whole range of work, which includes the removal of existing struts, springs, as well as the proper installation of air bags, sensors, a compressor and other equipment that we have already mentioned.

If the system is configured correctly, it is possible to lower the suspension to the required level at any time or return it all back. You can focus on many factors - terrain, road quality, driving mode, and so on.

The advantage of this method is the ability to adjust the ground clearance over a wide range (ground clearance can be changed from one to five centimeters).

In addition, installing such a suspension improves the characteristics of the car (primarily its handling at high speeds).

There is another undeniable plus - air springs hold weight well, so they do not sag even when the vehicle is maximally loaded.

But there are also disadvantages.

Firstly

– the high cost of alterations, which not all tuning lovers can afford.

Secondly

, short life span of pillows that do not withstand domestic roads for a long time. In addition, due to constant shaking, the pressure control sensors also “give up.”

In the case of lowering the suspension of a VAZ “classic”, a special approach to work is required. Simply cutting off the springs is not the best option, because after just a few tens of kilometers the car can become severely distorted. And it’s not far from breaking the shock absorber and the spring itself.

The best option is to install low springs. But at the same time, it is advisable to select suitable shock absorbers.

For example, if you plan to reduce the ground clearance by 40-50 mm, then it is worth buying shock absorbers that can work in such conditions. It is strictly forbidden to lose sight of this moment.

On VAZ cars, the ride height can be adjusted in the range from 20 to 90 mm. Anything more than nine centimeters is already dangerous. And it is almost impossible to implement this in practice.

To make the suspension durable, it is necessary to install new boots and rebound buffers during installation. But that's not all.

It would be a good idea to replace the support bearings on the front struts (this will significantly reduce the force on the steering wheel).

Shortening springs

Shortening springs. This method is in demand for one simple reason - it is the most budget-friendly.

You can do this work yourself or safely entrust it to a novice car mechanic.

There is nothing complicated here. All you need is a jack, pry bars and a metal file (preferably a grinder).

Shortening suspension springs

You can reduce the size of the spring with or without installing the spring (here everyone chooses for themselves).

In this case, the front and rear springs are shortened by a different number of upper turns (by two and three, respectively).

This trick is due to the need to balance the car, because the front one (which is quite logical) has much more weight. Mandatory after shortening the springs.

The advantage of the spring shortening method is minimal costs.

Disadvantages - increased suspension rigidity and a high risk of breaking the shortened spring and shock absorber.

Methods of understatement

The most budget option is to saw the springs

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This method does not represent any costs for the car owner, but its feasibility raises many questions. Of course, the standard spring can be cut off quite easily, but the remaining coils will be subject to increased load, which can lead to their destruction.

Therefore, it is better to purchase factory sports car springs that are about 40mm shorter than stock springs. The advantage is that, if necessary, you can return the old springs to their place. Among the disadvantages, it is worth noting the high cost of such products, as well as the relative stiffness of the suspension.

Helical suspension

The main advantage of the screws is the ability to adjust the ground clearance. In other words, on weekdays you can drive with the factory clearance, and on weekends set a lowered version if you go to a club or similar establishments.

The changes range from 3-7 cm, but in order to adjust the ground clearance, the car will have to be hung so that the wheels can be removed. In general, this option can be called classic, which is why it is popular in undervaluing not only ordinary cars, but also sports cars.

Air suspension

This system consists of air cushions that replace elastic elements.

It is more complex in structure and includes a number of additional units:

compressor responsible for pressure;
Control block;
receiver;
sensors, etc.

Pros:

The main advantage of such a suspension is the ability to smoothly adjust the ground clearance while driving, as well as a comfortable driving process.

Minuses:

The price for the system is too expensive;
Labor-intensive installation process;
Pneumatics fail quite quickly in the harsh Russian realities.
The cost of repairs is quite comparable to the initial investment.

Hydraulic suspension

This type of suspension is used mainly in exhibition vehicles or in lowriding.
The car can literally bounce under the influence of high pressure in the suspension, which many of us have seen in music videos of American performers. This option is already part of a subculture, so it is used extremely rarely in everyday life. In addition, the high price and complexity of installation do not allow the installation of such suspensions on our VAZ, GAZ, etc.

There is another way to lower a car. No, we are not talking about a bag of potatoes in the trunk, but this method also does not require any intervention in the suspension. This means purchasing wheels with a smaller diameter, as well as low-profile tires for them. With this replacement you can reduce the ground clearance by a couple of centimeters, which is already a good result.

As we can see, there are enough ways to lower a car to choose the right option for yourself.

In this case, the most expensive does not mean the best, because we also need to focus on driving conditions and road conditions. In general, it can be noted that this direction is a unique culture, which in vain many people associate with people from the southern regions of Russia.

Instead of output

In our realities, lowered cars, despite their number, still look outlandish (if not stupid). Both in large cities and in small ones, there are often directions instead of roads. Therefore, there is no question of a comfortable and safe (for the car and the driver) driving. A couple of central streets with decent coverage is a weak argument in favor of underestimating. Therefore, such a concept as “safe driving” fades into the background.

As practice shows, a small pothole or pothole is enough to turn the bottom of a car. Due to the quality of the roads, the main advantage is the improvement in control, since it is impossible to feel it at low speed.

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Problems with this method

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Everything would be fine

but not everywhere there are smooth roads that can provide a comfortable ride. The expression “safe driving” is omitted on purpose, since some lowered cars have ground clearance of only a few millimeters. A small bump is enough to tear up the entire bottom of the car. Moreover, enough minor damage is enough to completely disable the car.

Naturally, you don’t need to be a genius to understand that you can’t drive such a car quickly, due to the same pits. And what could be worse than hitting the bottom of a hole or bump than doing it at a speed of over 20 km. at one o'clock.

Awkward appearance:

But it’s one thing when all this is tolerated for the sake of a very attractive appearance. But this is also missing in the undervaluation of modern cars. Almost 99% of lowered cars look simply ridiculous, and any sane car owner will simply laugh at the owner of the lowered one. This all looks especially ridiculous when the car is in no way suitable for carrying out this procedure (for example).

Expensive and effective ways to lower a car

Many people don't even think about the fact that there are expensive and excellent ways to work with suspension that produce the desired visual results. For example, even for old Zhiguli cars you can find a suspension kit that allows you to adjust the ground clearance by adjusting the height of the struts and the stiffness of the springs.

You need to understand that the cost of implementing such methods will often exceed the price of the car itself, but this process definitely makes sense, because you get an even more reliable and confident car that will help you in all road situations. These methods of lowering a car are as follows:

installation of air suspensions that can surprise you with their softness in standard modes and range of settings;
a more economical option is suspensions, which allow you to change the vehicle’s ground clearance through mechanical adjustments;
purchasing a set of new suspension designed to lower the vehicle’s ground clearance;
using the above methods along with purchasing low profile tires.

When performing these tasks, you must be prepared for the fact that your car will never drive the same way again. His habits will change, the controls will change, and a sporting sensation will appear in every meter of asphalt covered. By the way, you can only drive on asphalt if the suspension is unadjustable.

All the disadvantages and shortcomings can be eliminated by installing an air suspension, which can be adjusted by pressing a button in the cabin. But a set of such suspension will be incredibly expensive, which is why only some car owners resort to this option. In other cases, they use cheaper means.

Let's sum it up

Normal tuning of a car with lowered ground clearance is quite an expensive pleasure. Considering all the complexities of the process of installing a new suspension, as well as selecting the necessary spare parts, you need to be careful about offers of very cheap lowering of the car. Value your safety and trust only those who perform tuning and other processes in working with the car who have a lot of experience in this work.

Get the most out of your investment rather than putting yourself in danger with a poorly executed tune-up. Have you ever wanted to lower your car, changing its visual appearance?

Lowered springs

If, after familiarizing yourself with the methods of lowering a car, the choice is made in the direction of shortening the springs, then you need to have an idea of the difference between a shortened spring and a factory-made part.

The appearance of the car does not change depending on what springs are there. But while driving, having installed the cut springs yourself, you feel uncomfortable. The car vibrates, you feel every pothole. The car very quickly becomes unusable, the suspensions are destroyed, and the body is deformed.

Factory pendants are made of high-strength steel using the cold coiling method. Due to their special strength, they absorb shock loads with a shorter compression stroke of the suspension and operate without shrinkage. Their service life is longer than that of cut springs, and thanks to their installation the machine does not deform.

Factory-made springs can be selected depending on the brand of car that needs to be modified. They do not make the car heavier and improve its driving performance, do not interfere with rapid acceleration and do not increase fuel consumption.

Of course, when installing such springs, you need to think about the shock absorber. It is advisable that the modification and re-equipment of the car be carried out by professionals.

Some people like lowered cars. Photos of them are placed at the head of your head, and the ground clearance of your own car is lowered, they think that a tall car is unaesthetic. Some people believe that understating cars is unjustified, especially in off-road conditions. Everyone makes their own decision.

But we must remember that lowering the car should not pose a danger either to those sitting behind the wheel or to others. And this only happens when the modification is done efficiently.

While some motorists are trying to make the vehicle's ground clearance higher to easily overcome difficult road obstacles, the other part, on the contrary, lowers the suspension. On the one hand, this solution has its advantages, as the car becomes more controllable on the road, on the other hand, the car will be stiffer, and you will feel all the smallest potholes and bumps much more strongly than with a regular standard suspension.

Before lowering your car's suspension, think carefully about this step. After all, in a simple non-sports car used to drive around the city, you will encounter a number of inconveniences in overcoming railroad crossings, speed bumps, and simply uneven road surfaces, which are not ideal in Russian cities. In addition, the vehicle's cross-country ability in winter will significantly decrease, and the wear of the mechanisms will increase.

Ways to lower a car

A brief overview of how to lower a car.

Air suspension is the most effective method, but also the most expensive.
Installation of a special suspension in which you can independently adjust the ground clearance. A set of special springs is included with the suspension.
Installation of factory-made suspension. The springs are already installed.

The above methods require economic costs. How do those who want to save money lower their car prices?

Install short springs without changing shock absorbers.
Springs are cut.
They lower the height of the car due to low tires and even constantly carry a bag of cement with them in the trunk, removing “extra springs”.

Who can help improve the vehicle?

Where can I lower my car? Those who have the opportunity to purchase a vehicle “to order” receive a lowered, factory-assembled car. The fact that factory modification is an expensive pleasure does not need to be explained.

You can install a lowered suspension properly at a service station; they can also reinstall the springs or cut them off. Some people do spring trimming and improvement in their own garage.

Loading something heavy into your trunk to reduce ground clearance does not require any special room or qualifications.

We determine the pros and cons of lowering the car

If you want to drive in comfort and safety, it is better to give preference to the factory settings of the car. Any changes to the design will interfere with a safe trip and create certain interference with the quality performance of all components of your car. Therefore, before making any alterations, you need to think carefully about the consequences.

Lowering a car entails a process such as a decrease in ground clearance. You will also have to buy suspension elements from third-party manufacturers, the quality of which can be quite difficult to verify. There are a lot of other factors that dissuade car owners from tuning and lowering the car:

ground clearance decreases and the risk of losing some elements of the car on branded Russian bumps increases;
the rigidity of the car increases, the free play of the shock absorber spring decreases;
the list of roads on which you can operate your car is significantly limited;
a skeptical attitude towards the car is created on the part of a considerable part of society;
Selling a car on the secondary market becomes more difficult.

These are the negative consequences that can have from simply lowering the car and performing simple work on the suspension to achieve this effect. So you should think three times before deciding to take such a step. Moreover, today you can easily get by with other elements of visual tuning to obtain the desired external effect.

But if you agree to put up with such disadvantages, then you can safely order kits of spare parts to complete a similar process. The main thing is that the driver likes the result obtained, and also does not reduce the safety of driving a car.

Features of do-it-yourself suspension tuning

Lowering the suspension, as well as raising it, although simple in practice, is a complex calculation procedure. After all, by changing the factory parameters, you change many of the physical properties of the car. And, before lowering the suspension, you need to be aware of this. Moreover, you need to conduct a thorough analysis of how the car will behave with a lowered suspension.

Yes, lowering the suspension leads to improved handling of the car, but at the same time, such a nuance as a decrease in ground clearance (clearance) appears. In this case, you must understand that a car with a low ground clearance is an ideal option for autobahns, but we are talking about your car in which you will drive on domestic city roads. Remember how many tram tracks there are on your route.

When lowering the suspension, you need to accurately calculate and practically perform the work of setting the gap between the wheel arches and tires. To avoid friction with all the ensuing consequences.

But, as soon as you decide to lower the suspension and have consulted, you can start tuning.

Lower the suspension correctly

Before lowering the car’s suspension, it is worth remembering that the designers of the model provided the optimal combination: reliability and compliance, so you need to carefully familiarize yourself with the technical characteristics of the car.

Failure to install the suspension can cause deformation of the entire structure. If you decide to reinstall the suspension, it is better to spend the extra money, but buy a kit along with factory springs designed for installation in a specific working unit.

When cutting springs yourself, even after reading the manual, you need to keep in mind: spring sensitivity and strength change during modification. And it’s quite difficult to predict how.

If you have the opportunity to turn to professionals, do not neglect it.

How to lower a car Air suspension, Lowered shock absorbers Photo

Today, drivers are divided into two camps in their views on ride height. On the one hand, there are those who raise the suspension to increase cross-country ability, and on the other, those who, on the contrary, are racking their brains about how to lower the car most rationally.

Basic options for lowering a car

Traditionally, experts identify three ways to reduce clearance and recommend doing them only in specialized centers or, at a minimum, under the reliable supervision of professionals. Also, you should not resort to such a “proven” method as simply cutting off the spring, as this worsens not only cross-country ability, but also controllability, and can lead to irreparable consequences. But how to reduce the ride height safely and reliably will be discussed further.

First of all, it is worth noting the most effective method, but it is also the most expensive, is air suspension, which allows you to adjust the height of the car at any time, and to a distance determined by the driver. A cheaper, but still rational option is a suspension with automatic ride height adjustment, which includes shock absorbers with adjustable stiffness, struts with adjustable ground clearance and special springs. And the last one, which is also the most budget-friendly, is a simple set of lowered suspension, consisting of springs and shock absorbers; it is less attractive, since it does not provide the ability to adjust the height depending on the desire of the driver.

Air suspension - operating principle

As for the air suspension, it allows you to adjust the height of the car body relative to the ground due to special pneumatic elastic elements. Most drivers like this type of lowering of transport due to two main factors: safety and comfort. At the moment, a large number of leading automakers equip their cars with such suspension, and often even patent their technologies.

An important point is that air suspension cannot be distinguished as a separate type of car suspension, because it can also be built into the design of an existing suspension. The pneumatic elastic element is the main part on which the level of the car above the road depends due to the air pressure inside it.

In general, the air suspension allows you to adjust the ride height both manually and automatically. In manual mode, a person has the right to adjust the ground clearance at any time, depending on desire. And if the car has pneumatic shock absorber struts, then it is even possible to adjust the suspension stiffness yourself. In automatic mode, all cars behave differently, it all depends on the algorithm for calculating the required ground clearance - here each manufacturer does what they consider correct. Most often they rely on parameters such as acceleration, speed, tilt, and so on.

How to lower shock absorbers on a car?

Speaking of other, cheaper methods, it is worth saying that the ride height is affected by suspension elements such as springs, springs or torsion bars, therefore, in order to lower the car, it is their characteristics that need to be changed. Shock absorbers, for the most part, do not affect the height; they only determine the degree of suspension stiffness. Of course, there are some specific types that are better to use when understating, but they are far from decisive factors. The only exceptions can be those shock absorbers that have a special thread on the body, which can be used to lower the car by an average of 60 mm. But this type of shock absorbers is quite rare today.

Reducing the height of a car is a rather serious step, before which you should weigh all the pros and cons. After all, many drivers often do this, trying to achieve a more aesthetic and attractive appearance, rather than improve handling. In addition, in an urban environment, low ground clearance can cause a lot of trouble in terms of passing obstacles. That is why it is more rational to resort to this only for those who drive sports cars on specialized tracks, where almost everything is conducive to favorable driving.

Take a photo, like a racer

No matter how trivial it may sound, people who decided to modernize their “steel horses” simply do not have enough attention. Accordingly, they are ready to fight for “likes” by any available means. And if you have an old Beha, Subaru or something from the domestic Priorist at your disposal, then, as they say, God himself ordered it. It's all about the desire for increased attention and a feeling of one's own coolness. It is enough to conduct a small monitoring of groups on social networks dedicated to this area to be convinced of this. It is curious that the fashion for reducing ground clearance is only strengthening its position. And, as a result, several styles of lowering cars appeared. A striking example is DUB or Clean Look. Creators in these genres try to reduce ground clearance to zero. One can debate for a long time about the performance of such machines. But one thing is for sure - such “designer” cars look cool (just right for a photo shoot from the “Take a photo, like a racer”) series.

It is clear that whether to admire or criticize lowered cars is the choice of each individual person. Therefore, if you really want to become the owner of a cool car, why not? But before you drive your “horse” to the masters, it’s worth understanding the upcoming metamorphoses yourself. This is necessary to understand how the conventional “Priora” is turned into a stylish and fashionable “understated car”. It would also be good to give yourself an exact answer to the question: “What is this for?” Just drive around the city, dreaming of not running into a dried maple leaf, or try your hand at racing? And after that, figure out the capabilities of your car’s suspension.

It is clear that the main components of the suspension are springs (leaf springs) and shock absorbers. It is the springs that are responsible for smoothing out unevenness of the road surface and for height. Shock absorbers soften vibrations and their design allows you to increase the size of the springs. Therefore, all modernizations associated with a decrease in ground clearance will occur with these units.

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How to lower the Lada Priora with your own hands, video instructions

It is possible that you have already watched the video, terrorized your neighbor in the garage, to figure out in detail how to lower the Priora. But it's still kind of scary. This is how it should be, because before you start full-scale tuning, it would be good to weigh the pros and cons. In this article we will not dissuade you from your plan. Rather, we want to help and warn that during such a reconstruction everything is done correctly.

The main reasons why drivers tend to undervalue their cars

If we start with the main reason, it is obvious. We are talking about a strong desire to make your favorite car the most beautiful. Appearance is everything. With this modification, even an outwardly unsightly budget “swallow” will become an advanced and pumped-up supercar with an original appearance and tuning.

Lowering is the most inexpensive option to make a car irresistible and respectable. With the right mechanism for performing technical re-equipment, not only the exterior, but also the driving characteristics will improve.

Let's talk in more detail about the positive aspects of this procedure:

the tilt of the car when entering a turn will be significantly reduced;
maneuverability will increase due to improved driving capabilities;
On the highway there is nothing you can do to overcome the lowered Priora - it skids less at high speed loads.

What happens with the suspension lowered at speed? Centrifugal force is reduced precisely due to improved performance and stability.

Priora becomes more obedient and is ready to fulfill any command from the driver. Now it doesn’t matter to her whether she rushes along a straight route or makes sharp turns when necessary.

Some difficulties in the way of lowered cars

If you overdo it a little and over-lower the car, a number of difficulties and inconveniences will arise. There is even a joke that the driver carries two boards in his trunk. For what? The car sits so low that it is not even possible to drive over speed bumps. The driver gets out, takes the boards, places them on the obstacle and moves over. After that, he puts everything in the trunk - and so on until the next “policeman”.

Another problem is terrible roads with deep potholes. You will have to remember such streets and go around on other routes. If you live in a city with good roads, then everything will be fine. And most importantly, you will definitely be noticed. Just be careful and take care of the bumpers, because they are the ones that suffer the most.

We start the process and do everything right

What type of pendant should I choose? At the moment, pneumatic is considered the best option, since at any time you can control the entire process and, if necessary, temporarily raise the body. As often happens, the best method also turns out to be the most expensive. Our case is no exception. And you won’t be able to carry out the reconstruction yourself if you don’t have a lot of experience working with electronics. Read on for simpler options.

Set with the ability to adjust ground clearance. It contains springs, conventionally designated as 50, 70 and 90. The racks in this version are adjustable in height, and the springs are stretched or compressed. The material of the products is very durable and reliable. In the summer you can lower the Priora and raise it in the winter, without damaging the parts.

Regular lowered suspension kit. Cheap and actively used option. It comes with 30, 50, 70 or 90 springs complete with shock absorbers. By the way, it doesn’t matter what kind of Priora you have - a hatchback or a sedan, this equipment will suit you. Having installed it, you will not be able to quickly increase or decrease the ground clearance. This option is already reinforced concrete, for a long time.

Understatement methods that should never be used

Let's look at how the cheapest methods can become the most dangerous. They do not require much time, but the consequences will bring not only disappointment, but also additional difficulties:

hand cut springs. All you need is a grinder or a metal saw, which cuts off 1.5-3 turns of the spring. The bumpers are also trimmed, and the springs are fixed with a clamp.
The springs are lowered, and the struts remain old. After such tuning, the chassis quickly breaks down, and the car itself becomes very difficult to drive.

That's all for the main methods of lowering a Priora. Choose the first three options rather than the last two, and “it won’t hurt excruciatingly.” By the way, on our roads it’s best not to even consider the 90 kit option.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=Oq7sB71AK7I

pros

There are a few here, which, however, play practically no role in everyday life. One of these is a decrease in ground clearance, which allows the car to press very tightly against the asphalt. In turn, this will provide some improvement in handling, as well as a miniscule reduction in gasoline consumption. The second is achieved by reducing the resistance of air masses in contact with the car body.

But, when asked why to undervalue the car, not a single driver can give a sane answer, even if he himself understands that all this was done in vain.

The suspension in a vehicle plays a major role in driving. This device is the connecting link between the car body and the road surface. For some people, for some reason, a car with a low ground clearance can evoke more emotions than one with a high suspension, despite the fact that low suspension is generally used exclusively for cars with a sporty character. And in this article we will talk about how to lower the car and, as a result, increase control over the car on the road. After all, very often ordinary car owners install low suspension on their cars.

Advantages of low ground clearance

Let us immediately note that all the advantages of lowering a car described below apply mainly to sports cars. In the case of a change in the design of the standard stock suspension of an ordinary vehicle, the presence of advantages is possible only with technically correct implementation of tuning of this kind. On the positive side, it should be noted that a decrease in clearance leads to:

Reducing the height of the vehicle’s center of gravity, and, as a result, reducing the overturning moment. This allows you to take turns and sharp lane changes at higher speeds. In addition, the car body stops “nodding” when braking and “squatting” during sharp acceleration.

Improved aerodynamic characteristics. If the vehicle body is closer to the ground, the car has less “resistance” to air flows (this is especially true at high speeds). This in turn allows (albeit slightly) to reduce fuel consumption. In addition, the maximum speed will increase, albeit slightly.

Improved handling. The car becomes more “responsive” to steering turns. This allows the driver to dynamically “fit” into the traffic flow.
Increasing the visual appeal of an ordinary car. The desire to stand out (at least in some way) among the numerous vehicles passing by forces tuning enthusiasts to resort to reducing the ground clearance.

Agree that, with the exception of the last point, all the advantages of lowering are mainly important only for sports cars. It is unlikely that a normal driver will enter a turn at a speed of 150÷170 km/h.

Punishment for lowered suspension

In regulatory documents there is no concept of high or low suspension. The law defines the operation of vehicles that comply with the basic approval provisions. Any deviation from the established standards adhered to by the manufacturer is classified as a violation.

As you know, the set of regulations is represented by the Code of Offenses of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation. There is no separate article that specifically covers lowered suspension on a car, installed independently. In the future, the text of the existing document will also not be revised. But the existing document clearly states that a discrepancy between the actual ground clearance and the technical data of the car by more than 5 cm is considered a malfunction.

Operation of such a vehicle is not prohibited. This means that the vehicle will not be sent to the impound lot. But the driver is obliged to go to the place where the fault is repaired. He is given 24 hours to do this.

The original text can be found in Article 12.5 of the Code of Contraventions. The document is dated December 30, 2001 and has registration number 195 of the Federal Law. Currently, it is interpreted in the latest edition dated 02/05/2018.

The traffic police inspector, having discovered a discrepancy in the suspension parameters, will consider this situation as a violation of Government Decree No. 1090 under paragraph 7.18, as a result of which, according to the Code of Administrative Offenses and Article 12.5, the driver faces a warning or a fine. The amount of the fine today is minimal, as it is 500 rubles. All speculation about the detention of the car or the removal of license plates has no basis. And such actions of a traffic police officer are considered unlawful.

Obvious disadvantages of lowering a car

There are probably even more disadvantages to lowering the ground clearance than there are advantages. Here are the main disadvantages:

Significant deterioration in ride comfort. Since the stiffness of the suspension increases when lowered, shocks from even minor obstacles on the road are transmitted to the car body (and, consequently, to the driver and passengers sitting inside). Moreover, before the modernization, driving along the same sections of the road, you didn’t even notice them (due to the use of stock springs and shock absorbers).
Inevitable financial costs, and quite significant ones, if you use only high-quality elements from time-tested manufacturers to modernize the suspension.
Significant deterioration in performance. You can drive lowered cars without causing damage to body and suspension elements only on smooth roads. Even overcoming a speed bump or a low curb becomes very problematic (not to mention traveling to the country when the vehicle is “fully” loaded).

Increased and accelerated tire wear.
Problems with the warranty (or, more precisely, loss of it). We can say with 100% confidence that not a single manufacturer will write in the technical documentation for a standard car that a reduction in ground clearance is recommended for this model.
Inability to use a standard jack. It is very difficult to install a standard product under a lowered car (there may simply not be enough space). Therefore, in order to remove a punctured wheel, you will have to purchase a special device in advance.
Difficulties in loading (if necessary) a lowered car onto a tow truck.

For such modernization, in accordance with the Code of the Russian Federation on Administrative Offenses, a fine of 500 rubles is provided (Article 12.5). And although its wording is very vague, owners of lowered vehicles should be prepared to regularly lose some amount of money. Yes, and when passing the technical inspection, problems will naturally arise.

On a note! According to experts, a lowered suspension leads to premature “aging” of the entire car (body, chassis, transmission, etc.).

pros and cons, common options for how to lower a car

A whole movement has emerged among motorists called “lowriding”. Representatives of this trend love lowered cars and do everything possible to lower their car as much as possible, making the ground clearance minimal. There were also those who, for one reason or another, carried out lowering the car at home, conducting experiments on their “Kalinas” and “Priors” and other domestically produced models. The results were different; the network has a large number of examples of unsuccessful calculations and examples of “bad” tuning, which brought nothing but problems to its owner.

In this article I will try to cover the topic of lowering cars and talk about the features of this procedure, its advantages and disadvantages, as well as the ways in which a car can be lowered.

Before performing this type of tuning, you should study in detail all the nuances and consequences of this procedure for the car. By lowering the suspension, you increase the load on the shock absorbers; taking into account the quality of the road surface, the owner of a car with a lowered suspension has every chance of ruining the body of his car on the first hole or bump. There is also the issue of winter operation, as you know, our winters are harsh, there is a lot of snow, and sometimes even SUVs are not able to overcome this or that obstacle, not to mention a fairly understated car. Ice accumulates quickly and you simply cannot avoid wheel friction. If you lower it very low, then you and your car will have a hard time driving through speed bumps; you will be forced to look for detours or carry some special devices with you. In addition to speed bumps, you will not be left unattended by real police officers, who will not miss the opportunity to fine you for such illegal modifications to the body.

It is quite difficult to single out any outstanding advantages; as a rule, lowering the car does not affect the driving or dynamic characteristics. When performing such tuning, motorists, as a rule, pursue purely aesthetic goals, that is, the main goal is appearance and low ground clearance. If a branded lowered suspension is installed on a sports car by specialists in compliance with all the rules, then there will certainly be an effect; the car will become more stable when cornering and more controllable compared to analogues that have a conventional suspension.

How to lower a car - options

"Pneuma". The most correct and at the same time the most expensive option is to install an air suspension. Installation is usually carried out at a service station and is included in the price of the product.

Installation of a suspension kit with the ability to adjust ground clearance. This method, like the previous one, is not in great demand among popular tuning enthusiasts for the same reason as the first. Thanks to the stiffness of the shock absorbers, you will be able to independently change the ground clearance of your car. This is very convenient, although not cheap, because during the winter period you can raise the car yourself, and with the arrival of spring, lower it again.

Rubber gaskets. In many cars, special rubber pads are installed under the springs, the purpose of which is to lift the body in the event of sagging of the old springs. You can remove them and achieve, albeit slightly, a reduction in the ground clearance of your car. This is done only at the rear; it is not recommended to touch the front springs at all.

Trimming springs. This method is perhaps the most popular among “the people”. They love it for its simplicity and speed. All you need to do is carefully saw off 2-3 turns of the spring and install them in place. However, this circumcision will not leave its mark on your car; over time, you will end up with “dead” shock absorbers and a broken chassis.

As you can see, there are quite a few ways to lower a car; which one you choose for yourself depends more on your financial capabilities, as well as abilities. And lastly, before lowering your car, remember that a lowered suspension has its drawbacks and requires you to have certain driving skills, so think carefully before performing such tuning.

Why are cars undervalued?

Probably everyone has seen lowered cars in our cities, you know, driving (simply scratching its belly) Priora, Kalina or Grant, everyone turns around and one question freezes on their faces: - why do they lower the car? After all, in Russia it’s difficult to drive even with normal ground clearance, but here it’s also lowered? My readers also ask me a lot of questions about this “lowering of the car” - they say, what is the benefit of this and why do they do it? Today I want to tell you about this new trend on Russian roads...

First, a little definition.

Lowering a car is a part of suspension tuning designed to combat incoming air currents. Remember, we were talking about a car spoiler, and so, lowering is designed to press the car to the ground, like a spoiler; the lower the car is to the road surface, the easier it is for it to fight the oncoming air flow. In simple words, this is done to improve aerodynamics at high speeds; at high speeds, the car turns into a wing and can simply be turned over by air masses - it is much more difficult to turn over a lowered car, and the stability of the car increases - this is ideal!

On a sports car, a lowered suspension is usually based on pneumatic elements (air springs, etc.), such a suspension can change the vehicle's ground clearance, has high rigidity and, in a word, is designed for motorsport.

However, here in Russia, in 90% of cases our VAZs are undervalued. The air suspension for our VAZ will not be cheap, starting from 60 thousand rubles, and the meaning of such a suspension for our non-modified VAZ (not a tuning one) will be minimal. Usually, special suspensions are equipped with such suspensions - sports cars that run at speeds of 250 km/h and above, our “standard” VAZ never dreamed of this, the maximum that can be squeezed out is 170 - 190 km/h, without sparing the car. YES, there are no such roads in our cities! AND there are cameras everywhere! Of course, if you have a pumped-up car with a modified (turbocharged) engine, a modified injection and exhaust system, then the power of your car increases significantly, speeds of 250 and above become available, and here you need to think about lowering - strengthening the suspension!

Drivers of our lowered VAZs do not pump up their cars, but simply cut off part of the suspension springs and install shorter struts. Such manipulations require a minimum of money (let’s say for new struts), and a lowered car, like a sports car, is ready! However, from a practical point of view, this is simply ridiculous - the car is not sporty and not pumped up, and often drives barely - barely, but understated! YES, the suspension modified in this way does not last long and, on the contrary, does not allow the driver to feel confident on the road. You should have seen how such cars drive over tram rails or drive up a small hill! Just awful! There are traffic jams during rush hour, etc. Moreover, in such cars there are often broken mufflers, and the lower part looks like “meat”, there is no place alive!

But nothing can be done about fashion! The Dagestanis lowered the Priora once and off we go! What’s most interesting is that in winter such cars are equipped with normal springs and struts, because you really can’t drive with them. To be honest, you don’t really drive much in the summer either.

In general, the answer to the question is “Why are cars, our VAZs, undervalued?”

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