Lowering a vehicle

[Lou]

Eric what is your opinion about LOWERING a vehicle? For handling and appearance reasons I lowered my Mustang GT about 1.5 inches in the front and about 2.0 inches in the rear. The lowering springs I used are a very popular brand that have been installed on hundreds of Mustangs, yet when I went to get an alignment the guys at the shop had nothing but bad things to say about it. They said it would eat up tie-rod ends, my lower ball-joints and eventually destroy the pinion gear in the rear-end. I’ve driven the car lowered for about 2k miles now with no problems. I know there is some negative camber now, but that is to be expected.

Topic

[Wayne]

[quote=”FixFalcon” post=49925]I know there is some negative camber now, but that is to be expected.[/quote]
I realize you’re really only after Eric’s opinion on this, but I’ll throw mine out there for you to use or ignore as you choose; ball joints and such will not get any “extra” wear should you do this right and not think to just buy the lowering kit and think you’re through.

http://forums.themustangsource.com/f669/guide-properly-lowering-your-s197-447906/

Camber plates, panhard rod for rear lateral change, and adjustable/changed upper/lower control arms will fix the pinion angle change.

Unfortunately, their opinion is probably colored by the fact that most just buy the lowering kit, that doesn’t come with anything other than springs and shocks, install it, and call it a day. Failing to take into account other things that would then need to be done later to do this correctly.

[steven jacobsen]

Exactly what wayne said, the only problem I have seen is people doing half the job. Not usually the customers fault, the mechanic or parts guy should warn people about extra parts needed to make the job complete.

[Lou]

Thanks for the info! Wayne, that link you posted has some great info. Looks like I will be saving my pennies for some CC plates now.

[college man]

If its a well engineered kit.Any issues should be worked
out already. Thats why its been researched and developed.

[Wayne]

[quote=”college man” post=49986]If its a well engineered kit.Any issues should be worked
out already. Thats why its been researched and developed.[/quote]

The engineering of the suspension ride for the lowering is worked out. No suspension “kit” I know of to date for any make or model includes absolutely everything you need to get everything back into the proper specification range when they alter the OEM ride height. They can’t then compete with the lower priced company’s “kits”. Silly/ridiculous? Yep, but not something likely to change.

[EricTheCarGuy]

I think you did a ‘practical’ lowering of the vehicle. I see so many that go for the 2″ drop or more and end up with all kinds of problems not to mention it makes it less drivable because you can’t go over a speed bump without crushing the front end. As pointed out there are camber correction kits that you can use to help get your camber back in spec. Personally, I think you did it right.

[Author]

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