has anyone tried this?

[ghettosled]

i saw some spring clamps at the auto parts store to lower cars. they are basically 2 metal brackets with a notch in them and 2 bolts connecting them. the go around 2 coils on a spring and pull them together to lower the car. my question is, is this a cheap alternative to slightly lowering cars rather than buying new springs? can any harm be caused to the car?

[white3ch0c0late]

There are cheap alternatives, but they're DANGEROUS. Those springs clamps that you saw are ONLY to be used for compressing the springs while taking off the top nut of the springs so that it doesn't pop back at you and break your face. DO NOT drive with those compressors on your springs.. ever.

[ghettosled]

my bad, i didnt communicate this correctly. they arent the spring compressors used to compress springs to remove them from a strut assembly, they are only about 3 inches long and are sold in pairs for about 10 bucks. ill see if i can dig up a picture or a link.

[ghettosled]

here is a link to what i am talking about...
http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/P...003419/c-10101

[white3ch0c0late]

Personally, I wouldn't use anything of this sort. You'll hit a pot hole or something causing your springs to contract quickly, and when they retract again, it'll shoot one of those nuts right through your engine bay. Its really not worth it to go the cheap route. Besides, stock springs aren't meant to be compressed like that while driving.

[johnnyzee]

interesting, it would make for a bumpy ride, but i never heard of those being used to lower a car. i dont think there would be clearance to mount these considering you'd need at least 2 per spring (one on each side).

[FamCam4.5]

Thats worst than cutting your springs....Throws off the spring rate ratio. Extremely poor performance not to mention dangerous

[Tommy]

meh, i used them for a while, didnt really do anything except make a clunking noise when you hit bumps. not that big a deal, but not worth the hassle to install them, was a pain in the ass to get them on and then off.

[Axel Kain]

i think there was a post like this before...one guy said that they could pop off if you hit a big bump, also that if it broke it could send the nut through the block...dangerous -- IF YOURE GONNA LOWER IT DO IT RIGHT, JUST SAVE UP AND GET SPRINGS!!!!!

www.tirerack.com has springs probably for your car!! around the $200 range, depending on your car.

[ghettosled]

how can it "pop off" if there are 2 bolts punching the sping in place, one on each side? i would think since this is what this part is made for, the bolts shouldnt break. the reason why im adamit about this is that i dont have money for decent mods, but love the look of slightly lowered cars. i also want to be safe considering that i tote around my 8-month-old in the back seat.

this mod would set me back a whopping 28 bucks as opposed to 200 for springs, assuming i can get them for a 4-cylinder model. most, if not all i see are for the extra weight of a camry with a v-6 motor.

[Tommy]

dude, they arent that dangerous. i had them for like 6 months on my camry, once i put them on i never looked at them again, and i had no problems. Buddy of mine used them on his jeep to raise it a bit, he had them for like 2 years with no problems. The only thing is, it doesnt work worth a crap. You MIGHT get .5" drop...MIGHT! not enough for it to be worth the trouble.

[greylock]

I had a '81 AMC Spirit that was actually higher in front than the rear. I used 4 of those (2 per side) to squeeze down one loop per side on the front coils. Leveled the car and drove like that forever. These springs were straight coiled non progressive and not tapered so worked great. Would not recomend them on coils that have a taper or have progressive rates though (most newer cars have progressive rate springs now), they wouldn't seat right and it would mess up the ride.