Can you have lowering springs on stock shocks?

[rjlichau]

So I just want to know if I buy a set of lowering springs and possibly the camber kit, and I put them on my stock shocks(for now) if 1) will it lower my car to the specs that it says it will?, and 2) will it mess up the springs for when I get better shocks?

Thanks for the information

 

[Cs4g63]

It will still lower the car the same amount, and no using the stock struts will not mess up the springs. The struts do not determine the height of your vehicle. Struts control the motion of the vehicles suspension when going over bumps or hitting pot holes.

 

[diablos991]

Your ride quallity will decrease dramatically.

It will also put your shocks through extreme stress causing them to fail prematurely. Also, when you purchase new shocks, be sure to get ones that work well with the springs that you buy.

If it were me, I would just wait until I could purchase the shocks, springs, and camber kit together to install them.

Good things come to those who wait.

 

[rjlichau]

Thanks I appreciate it. Im assuming that shocks and struts are the same thing.?.? I think i will just fork out the extra money to get the shocks too. I think they are both relatively easy to install myself.

 

[diablos991]

In it's stock form, I have heard them referred to as shocks and struts.

Depending on which setup you choose to go with, you could end up with either shocks or struts.

 

[rjlichau]

I was just doing some reading on the whole shock strut issues and am a little confused. let me se if i have this correct. We (2G ers) have struts that look just like "shocks" so the words are interchanged? trucks and SUV's have struts but in the form of leaf springs and the such or am i way off on this?

 

[diablos991]

"Struts and shocks are very similar in function, but very different in design. The job of both is to control excessive spring motion; however, struts are also a structural component of the suspension. Struts can take the place of two or three conventional suspension components and are often used as a pivot point for steering and to adjust the position of the wheels for alignment purposes."

This exerpt was taken from http://www.monroe.com/tech_support/tec_faq.asp#1

I hope this helps clarify for you.

 

[rjlichau]

Thanks.
I guess all I really need to know is to buy shocks and not struts when I do buy aftermarket suspention.

 

[Talesin]

Er... no. DSMs use MacPherson style struts. This is why adjusting the mount point of the strut on the strut tower can adjust your camber and caster.
Shocks are used on trailing-arm and other types of suspension, and only serve to cushion the load.

Replacing your springs to get a lower ride will just give you crappy ride quality, and the lowered look. Look-fast instead of go-fast. Getting performance struts will improve the handling of the car.
Generally, you want to get struts before springs, or buy them at the same time... or just go to full-on coilovers. Get the benefit of an integrated and balanced strut/spring combination, for best ride and handling.

 

[wret]

Er... no. DSMs use MacPherson style struts.

Er... no. 1g DSMs use MacPerson struts. 2g's do not.

The defining characteristic of a strut is that it bears weight, so technically both 1g's and 2g's use struts. The terms are often used interchangeably though. As long as you buy from a vendor that identifies the part for your specific application, it should fit whether it is listed as a shock or a strut.

 

[bmoha2]

I did it I am ashamed to admit. I got talked into it by a "tuning shop." Boing boing boing. All spring no dampening. Lowering the car brings the stock strut past it's effective dampening range.

 

[Tsi_User]

take it from me it's not a good idea. I ran S-Tech springs which killed NEW stock (GG2) shocks and strute into the ground in 4 months...

That's whay i'm taking the full on approach and getting EVERYTHING together before i put the new suspension in.