Lowering springs on front only

[Deleted member 11966]

Hi everyone,

First post here after lurking for a while. I have a very specific question and I am curious on what you guys think.

I recently got a set of wheels which look great but the wheel gap is horrendous, especially on the front. I know that the way the car sits stock is for weight distribution. So, I'd love to lower the car but, I can't lower the rear, right now at least.
This is my only car, and its used to move a family of 4 (incl. a baby and a toddler). They all sit in the back with the wifey. Add a stroller and bunch of other stuff and the rear is squatted already by an inch. Lowering the rear is a no go for me. I would install the rear springs once I get a 2nd family hauler, but with my current use, lowered at the back will bottom out offten and/or it will too stiff/busy.

Before you reply that I should do the set because the weight distribution will be messed up, I know. I have enough suspension setup experience on multiple cars with springs and coilovers. Also, I coilovers are not an option as I am sick of swapping suspension every spring/fall since it will rust in 2 weeks over here (Canada).

My question is, if I run the car lower at the front for a year or so, will it cause issues on the electronics side? Any other issues you could think of?

Sorry for the long write up.

 

[NS_Stinger]

I feel your pain with the AWD suspension setup. I also have a family of 4 and have this issue. I probably wouldn't do this myself and I don't think you're going to find anyone on here that's going to tell you it's a good idea. If you absolutely have it in your head that you're going to do this the best advice I guess I could give is to suck it up and get coilovers and just make sure you hit the sleeves with something like bushing grease in the winter months to preserve them. The coilovers are known to ride pretty rough from what I've heard though and you lose the adjustable shocks.

 

[Deleted member 11966]

Coils are very dependant on platform and brand. I've had HSD coils on a Genesis Coupe before and you could dial them up to be softer than stock or much stiffer. However, I have bad experience running coils in the winter. Most coilover brands are not designed to work on -10C or colder, hence me breaking the sway bar bracket on the coilovers and ended up swapping to stock suspension mid January.

I am looking at installing lowering springs with a mild drop. I think H&R's drop is around 1" if Im not mistaken. Or just suck it up and drive it as is until I can drop it.

 

[Ohiocruiser]

I also want to lower just a front a little bit to close that ugly gap. Was wondering if installing set of lowering springs with some hard rubber "spacer" in that cap for rear spring would do the trick.

 

[Aarvix]

Airbags have sensors to self level don't they? (my buddy's 64 impala on bags does at least).

 

[MerlintheMad]

Hi everyone,

First post here after lurking for a while.

This is the only part I'm going to respond to (no mods - almost - Merlin, here). Welcome into the open and to the forum, and enjoy the practicality that is the Stinger (for a family man with "stuff" that needs to be taken everywhere).

 

[bulldozer1984]

Mate you need to get rid of the family and lower the stinger all the way. Your priorities are all wrong !

 

[Deleted member 11966]

Mate you need to get rid of the family and lower the stinger all the way. Your priorities are all wrong !

Lol, the return policy expired mate.

I may have to settle for the "Baby on board" sticker and wait till they grow up.

I also want to lower just a front a little bit to close that ugly gap. Was wondering if installing set of lowering springs with some hard rubber "spacer" in that cap for rear spring would do the trick.

I don't know if a rubber spacer would help much. In essence your lifting the car with the reduced travel of the lowering springs which in theory would end up having stock(ish) height but reduced travel which will end up bottoming out more often.


Does anyone know of adjustable coilover spring for the stock struts/shocks for our cars? I've seen those for many other cars.

 

[nhcowboy28]

Rakeeeeeeeeeeeeee

 

[StingertimeNC]

get the Ark GT-f springs. mild drop, should still work fine. doesn't ride too rough either.

 

[Robs]

Maybe cut the front stock spring a little, like half a round to start with?

 

[narsnail]

Check these out, mild drop and the increased spring rate in the rear may be fine for you.

 

[Deleted member 11966]

Maybe cut the front stock spring a little, like half a round to start with?

Half a round? I though of doing 2 or using the torch to soften it up a bit. You think that would work?

Check these out, mild drop and the increased spring rate in the rear may be fine for you.

These may tick the boxes as it is a very mild drop.

 

[M'Kehyah]

Or... Use 19" wheels with 225/45/19 (taller tires) to close gap and maintain full suspension travel? oO It fits well (i am runnning that right now).

 

[narsnail]

Half a round? I though of doing 2 or using the torch to soften it up a bit. You think that would work?


These may tick the boxes as it is a very mild drop.

Check out this thread for some more info.

Ark springs drop a bit more but will be softer, these are a bit more stiff. I generally liked them, car felt great with them on. Ignore a lot of the vibration related talk as that pertains to my specific scenario, removed the springs and it still persists. Once this is all sorted I plan to put them back on.

 

[NS_Stinger]

Maybe cut the front stock spring a little, like half a round to start with?

Oh man don't listen to this guy and I'll give you a good example of why you shouldn't. First off even if you wanted to cut the stock springs you sure as hell cant cut half a coil, the spring perch and top hat would both likely be molded to fit the springs so you'd end up with a unseated spring either on the top or bottom of the assembly. You'd have to cut at least a full coil which again you can't even do that because the coils are smaller at each end and flare so again they wouldnt seat correctly at all.

 

[Robs]

Oh man don't listen to this guy and I'll give you a good example of why you shouldn't. First off even if you wanted to cut the stock springs you sure as hell cant cut half a coil, the spring perch and top hat would both likely be molded to fit the springs so you'd end up with a unseated spring either on the top or bottom of the assembly. You'd have to cut at least a full coil which again you can't even do that because the coils are smaller at each end and flare so again they wouldnt seat correctly at all.

Good points! Was thinking about it as i liked the stock spring comfort but didnt like the ride height. Eibachs didnt help as the felt sloppy and the car would bottom out on big dips. Ark GT-Fs saved the day and have had them on for over 2 years now.

 

[Deleted member 11966]

Oh man don't listen to this guy and I'll give you a good example of why you shouldn't. First off even if you wanted to cut the stock springs you sure as hell cant cut half a coil, the spring perch and top hat would both likely be molded to fit the springs so you'd end up with a unseated spring either on the top or bottom of the assembly. You'd have to cut at least a full coil which again you can't even do that because the coils are smaller at each end and flare so again they wouldnt seat correctly at all.

Oh, I would never consider that. Thanks for providing valuable info on it for those less knowledgeable about suspension.

Good points! Was thinking about it as i liked the stock spring comfort but didnt like the ride height. Eibachs didnt help as the felt sloppy and the car would bottom out on big dips. Ark GT-Fs saved the day and have had them on for over 2 years now.

Actually, after some research it seems that the Ark GT-Fs are a good fit. Mild drop and spring rates closer to OEM. I just need to find out if the bump stops require trimming as that is a good indication if the shocks will be stressed out (read replacement at 100k kms).

 

[Robs]

Oh, I would never consider that. Thanks for providing valuable info on it for those less knowledgeable about suspension.

Actually, after some research it seems that the Ark GT-Fs are a good fit. Mild drop and spring rates closer to OEM. I just need to find out if the bump stops require trimming as that is a good indication if the shocks will be stressed out (read replacement at 100k kms).

They don’t, I replaced mine after they were cut for the Eibachs.