How do I lower my car? The difference between coilovers, suspension kits and lowering kits
2024-01-17
Coilover kit
A coilover kit is a complete kit with four adjustable shock absorbers and springs. All coilover kits can be adjusted in height, and on more exclusive models the hardness can also be adjusted. You therefore have control over how much you want to lower and the comfort.
Common questions and answers
🔎What is included in a coilover kit?
💡A coilover kit usually includes four complete struts. That means four shock absorbers and four springs. It also comes with a ratchet wrench so that you can adjust how much or how little you want to lower.
🔎Is it difficult to assemble?
💡It is no more difficult to fit a coilover kit than it is to change springs and shock absorbers on the car. The most difficult part is to tighten the original spring. It requires a special tool that compresses the spring securely. If you don't use the right tool, there is a risk of damage to both people and the car.
🔎How to adjust?
💡The spanner is used to turn the adjustment rings on the shock absorber. It is important to lower the same amount on the right and left side. You can have different heights at the back and front to change the car's look and driving characteristics.
🔎Is it legal?
💡Yes, coilover kits are legal.
🔎Why are coilovers good?
💡The advantage is that you get 100% control over how much or how little you want to lower the car.
🔎Can you raise the car using a coilover kit?
💡No, a coilover kit always starts at a lower level than the original.
Adjustable pressure
On more exclusive kits, the pressure can be adjusted, which allows you to adjust the comfort of the car after you set the height.
Coilover kit maintenance
Dirt easily gets on shock absorbers and springs because they are located in the wheel housing. It can cause problems if you want to adjust and change the setting. Therefore, we recommend that you spray silicone spray on the threads so that it can be easily washed off.
Suspension kit
A suspension kit is a complete kit with fixed shock absorbers and springs. This means that the car is lowered and gets sportier driving characteristics.
Common questions and answers
🔎What is the difference between a suspension kit and a coilover kit?
💡The decisive difference is that suspension kits are fixed. They do not need to be set, but can be mounted directly.
🔎What is included?
💡A suspension kit normally includes four shock absorbers and four lowering springs.
🔎Can the height or pressure be adjusted?
💡No, it can not.
🔎Is it difficult to assemble?
💡It's the same degree of difficulty as fitting original shock absorbers and springs. To make a safe installation without damage to people or the car, we recommend that you use special tools to tighten springs.
🔎Why is a suspension kit a good option?
💡The big advantage of buying a complete suspension kit is that you don't have to set anything up.
🔎It says "standard" on some kits. What does it mean?
💡All our kits lower the car, but in some cases the kit has a standard length on the shock absorbers. These have clear information in the description.
Lowering springs
The cheapest way to change your car is to replace the original springs with lowering springs, a so-called lowering kit. It contains four springs that are shorter and usually stiffer than the original. It makes your car lower and gives a sportier feeling.
Common questions and answers
🔎What is the difference between a lowering kit, a suspension kit and a coilover kit?
💡A lowering kit contains only springs while a suspension kit contains springs and fixed shock absorbers. A coilover kit includes springs and adjustable shock absorbers.
🔎What is included in a lowering kit?
💡A lowering kit usually contains four springs that are shorter and stiffer than the original springs.
🔎Do you have to change shock absorbers when you lower the car?
💡The rule of thumb is typically that if you lower more than 40mm, it is a good idea to replace the original dampers.
🔎Why do you lower different amounts at the back and front on certain lowering kits?
💡Some cars come from the factory with a higher rear, and the manufacturer of the lowering kit has judged that it is possible to lower more.
🔎When I installed the kit, it doesn't look lowered. Why?
💡They say that the springs settle after about 50 metric miles. This means you need to drive the car and let the springs work before they settle to the correct level.
🔎Why are different front axle weights indicated on the kits?
💡If you choose a lowering kit that is for a heavier car, the springs will not sit evenly, but the car will be too high. If you buy a lowering kit that is for a lighter car, the springs cannot handle the pressure. Therefore, it is important to always check the front axle weight.
Wheel alignment
After lowering the car, a wheel adjustment must be made. When the car is lowered, the angle of the wheels changes and this, in turn, can lead to skewed wear on the tires.
TÜV approval
Several manufacturers offer a TÜV approval that is sent with the chassis. This is needed to assemble chassis products in, for example, Norway.