Meineke Suspension Lowering Services
The leading reason for having a vehicle’s suspension lowered is usually just cosmetic. But there are other reasons for lowering your car or truck suspensions. It can change aspects of a vehicle’s performance but altering vehicle suspension does have its drawbacks.
Lowering Springs
There are various ways to lower your suspension but lowering springs represents one of the most significant. Changing the springs used in your vehicle can cause it to ride a bit lower to the ground, but this is not a decision to make lightly. It is recommended to consult a trusted technician to identify the best aftermarket springs for your car.
Lowering Shocks
An alternative to lowering the springs is to invest in adjustable lowering shocks for your vehicle. As with lowering springs, it is key to use discretion when selecting the shocks you install. A technician can offer a recommendation as to what shocks are right for your vehicle or whether it is advised to have the service performed at all.
Advantages of Lowering Suspension
Whenever a vehicle has its suspension lowered, benefits to expect include:
Reduced Rollover Risk - When a car, SUV, or light truck has a high center of gravity, suspension lowering reduces its risk of rollover. The higher a car or truck sits, the smaller the potential for a dangerous rollover event.
Better Aerodynamics – Lowering a car or lowering a truck leads to less air flowing beneath the car and less wind drag. With wind drag reduction, performance and gas tachometer improves. This is why sportier models of many car brands or actual sports cars are often low to the ground.
Improved Handling and Traction – Usually, having a vehicle lower to the ground increases the road grip of your tires. Use caution though, as sometimes car and truck lowering causes handling issues. A good idea is to check with a technician before proceeding with a lowering project.
More Ride Comfort – Many drivers say that their ride comfort improves after lowering suspension.
Drawbacks to Suspension Lowering
In addition to the benefits, there are a number of concerns that go with doing this type of suspension project, including:
Uneven Tire Wear – Sometimes lowering suspensions causes your tires to wear unevenly or even cause extreme wear patterns. This can happen when you alter any part of your vehicle’s factory made suspension system.
Increased Bottoming Out – This is a common complaint from drivers with lowered suspensions. When you lower suspension, contact with the road often causes severe damage to other car systems – especially vulnerable to damage are your car’s exhaust system and oil pan.
Possible Conflict with Other Car Systems – This is the most harmful result of a lowered suspension and occurs when parts of the suspension system interfere with other car systems such as sway bars, anti-lock braking systems, and even tire side walls. Lowered car and truck suspensions need correct installation to prevent system conflict from occurring.
Towing and Lift Concerns – Once your car, SUV, or truck suspension is lowered, using a manual jack goes from a simple task to an unpleasant and more difficult job. Chain towing could present problems too.
If you want to change your truck or car suspension, a technician at your local Meineke Car Care Centre can tell you about the best options for parts and installation.