How Much Does It Cost to Lower a Car?

Many drivers like their vehicles closer to the road surface. Most also believe that this reduced height difference dramatically improves the performance and aesthetics of the car.

Achieving the goal of lowering your vehicle is seemingly effortless, but it is not. Instead, it can be complex and expensive. So, How much does it cost to lower a car?

Depending upon the model of your car, lowering your car should cost you no less than $100. The price could also increase rapidly depending on the lowering method and components used.

As such, if you desire or feel the need to lower your car, then kindly read the entire contents of this article, as it contains a detailed explanation of everything you need to know to lower your car.

What Are the Factors That Affect the Cost of Lowering a Car?

Some factors affect the cost of lowering your car, but the main factor is your chosen approach.

For example, if you decide to perform the modifications by yourself, then you’ll need a lowering kit, and you’d need to have some experience with car repairs.

However, you would factor in the labor cost if you contract a professional.

Also, there are various types of modifications, each having its range of Costs. These modifications have various suspension levels, different replacement parts prices, and installation difficulty levels.

Also Read: How Much Does a Turbo Cost?

Methods of Lowering a Car and Their Costs

Some methods may not increase performance and handling but cause your car to be lowered. It is important, however, to be careful since some of the methods below may cause damage to your car.

1. Coilovers Modification

Coilover modifications are one of the best ways to lower your car, although it is costly. However, for racing cars, coil-overs are the only option for racing vehicles that give maximum performance for racing cars.

It is possible to adjust the height of coilovers, but compression control and rebound are essential. These factors, however, increase the Cost of Coilover modifications, as adjustable rebounds and higher-end coilovers offer compression control.

Other factors include the control of spring rates, which determines the extent to which the car leans in, bends, and the amount of pressure it can absorb from driving over a bump or a pothole.

Including a stiffer suspension would significantly help counteract the shaky feeling whenever you bend at corners.

However, this tweak will cause you and your car to suffer violent and uncomfortable shocks when driving over potholes or bumps.

Getting a warranty from the manufacturing company is also essential because coilovers are expensive and meant to last very long.

Nevertheless, if you feel this modification is something you can execute, you should go for it, but keep in mind that you’ll also cover the price of the tools required for the installation and labor costs.

Installing coilovers are long and complex to explain in written form. However, you can check out videos online for proper installation.

Cost of Coilover Modification

Coilover Modification to lower a car costs Between $2000 and $2300 for self-installation using low-quality tools and About $2800 to $3000 for an expert service using more quality tools.

2. Lowering Springs

This method is a much cheaper method of lowering your car. Coilovers replace the coil spring and shock strut assembly, but you only need to replace the stock springs with falling springs.

Also, because the Coilover springs are shorter, they are densely wound to improve the stiffness of the spring, which leads to a stiffer ride and better handling.

Lowering Springs Cost

You should expect to pay $50 to $100 per set, or an average of $300, for a complete set. It will be wise not to install it at home, as you could sustain severe injuries or even death because of the tension in the springs.

It will be wiser to have a professional install the lowing springs for about $200.

3. Modifications Using Drop Spindles

Using drop spindles is a cheap and easy route to take when lowering your car.

This method entails using the spindle to raise the wheel shaft, reducing its distance from the fender and efficiently lowering the car without replacing suspension components.

Using the drop spindle modification may slightly decrease the quality of the ride, and it does not improve handling so much. The bright side is that dropping spindles doesn’t cause the ride to be stiffer.

Replacing the stock spindle with a drop spindle is a massive task. If you decide to execute such a task personally, you can look at some videos online for better guidance.

Cost of Using Drop Spindles

Drop spindles cost a little more than lowering springs, ranging from about $200 to $300 a pair. However, if you want professional help, you would include an additional labor cost of up to $200.

4. Spring Cutting

About 25- 30 years ago, instead of purchasing a lowering spring set, some set of creative young mechanics chose to cut their stock springs short to lower their car.

However, with the increase in technological knowledge, this method is considered an unsafe way to lower a car.

You’ll need a powerful angle grinder with a good blade to cut the springs. However, the funny thing is that an angle grinder costs as much as using lowering springs.

Any results from cutting your stock springs will be far lesser than lowering springs. In addition to having far better stability and handling, using cut springs has a much more considerable risk of error. Spring cutting is a method, but it is not an advisable one to use

The Total Cost of Cutting Springs

The process of cutting springs does not necessarily cost anything. But you’ll have to factor in the purchase of working tools which would be around $500

5. Making Use of Airbags

Using airbags is one unique way people employ to lower their vehicles. The air suspension technique has been in use for quite some time, and it is popularly known as “lowrider suspension” by many worldwide.

Manufacturers usually use air suspensions in high-end and luxury cars and SUVs. However, they still exist as stand-alone mounting kits that you can add to your suspension system.

You can do the installation yourself, but you should take your car to a certified mechanic because airbag installation involves replacing the coil spring with an airbag, adding an air tank, air compressor, and airlines, and connecting them to the dash switch.

Cost of Airbag Modifications

This modification will cost $1000 for a DIY setup using low-quality kits and $5000 for employing a professional mechanic setup with superior equipment.

6. Leaf Spring Modifications

Older model vehicles usually have leaf springs. Thus, if you’re trying to lower a vintage car, the easiest and cheapest method is using the leaf spring modification.

However, this slight leaf spring adjustment usually involves sacrificing your vehicle’s handling, especially when accelerating and braking.

Cost of Leaf Spring Modifications

The cost of leaf spring modifications is about $100 for self-installation using low-quality tools and about $600 for an expert installation using excellent tools.

7. Using Hydraulic Suspension Systems

This method is one of the most expensive methods of lowering your vehicle. And aside from the fact that it is pretty costly, using this method can enable you to remove over four inches from your vehicle’s height.

Cost of Using Hydraulics Suspension Systems

Using Hydraulic modifications costs about $1300 if you perform the installation yourself using a low-quality kit and up to $15000 for high-end equipment and installation by a professional.

Additional Costs for a Lowered Car

Despite your car’s newly found stylish look, lowering your car may incur additional costs to other components of your suspension system, which might cause trouble for you in the future.

1. Alignment Issues and Tire Wear Cost

Your vehicle’s alignment is slightly altered when you lower your vehicle’s height. And therefore, you will need to get your tires realigned after the process.

Below are some signs that indicate that your tires are to be realigned:

1. The tires make squealing noises.
2. The steering wheel keeps tilting off-center or vibrating.
3. The tire treads wear unevenly and too quickly, wearing out unevenly or early. As a result, your vehicle pulls to the left or right when driving.

Improper alignment will cause distortions to your driving and eventually cause your tires to wear quickly. The alignment of tires usually costs between $65 to $100, while new tires cost around $50 and $200.

You can get more information by checking out our article on how long an alignment takes and how much it costs.

Also Read: Walmart Tire Installation Cost

2. Additional Rubbing

A poor lowering job could cause different parts of your car to come in contact and undergo friction.

It is wise to double-check for a physical connection between components and the fender after lowering your vehicle.

Your tires must not touch your fenders or anything else while steering, either left or right. You might consider elevating your car, rolling your fenders, or modifying your combustion chamber if they rub.

Be very cautious with your fender, as it costs anywhere between $70-$1300 to replace.

3. Specialized Tire Jack

Once your car has been lowered, it is always wise to check the effectiveness of your jack in raising your vehicle.

If your old jack gets stuck trying to get under the car, you should try buying a low-profile jack. Low-profile jacks would cost about $60 to $200.

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Problems Associated with Lowering Your Car?

Here are some of the risks you might be open to by reducing your vehicle’s height below two inches::

1. Both you and your vehicle risk being involved in an accident.
2. The steering response of your vehicle and control of the car would be decreased, which dramatically affects the overall performance.
3. Increased scraping over speed bumps, rough roads, or bumpy roads

To prevent most of these situations, you’ll need to devise a new way of driving after lowering your vehicle.

Additionally, lowering your vehicle is not recommended if it has low mileage or the manufacturer’s warranty is still intact.

Lowering your car in such a situation will automatically void your contract and the cost of repairs to any damages to the car later.

Why Do People Choose to Lower Their Cars?

Despite the drawbacks associated with lowering a vehicle, there are still numerous reasons why people reduce the height of their cars. Some of these reasons include;

1. Greater Atheistic

One of the many reasons why people lower their vehicles is cool looks.

Especially among the younger generation, most think that dropping a car radiates a kind of uniqueness and momentum, while some might prefer having an aggressive look while driving. In addition, it is an excellent way of showing off.

2. Increased Traction

A good reason people choose to lower their vehicles is that it enhances traction and performance. Many cars are reduced using a stiffer suspension system to improve traction,

3. Lighter Weight

Lowered cars are usually lighter; therefore, they’re easier to accelerate and control at elevated speeds. However, a more lightweight car has its advantages and disadvantages.

4. Reduce Rollovers

One essential purpose of lowering your vehicle is that it decreases rollovers. A rollover, in other words, describes the tendency for your car to tumble over its axis.

In addition to reduced rollovers, you will gain a lower center of gravity and increased equilibrium of forces acting on your vehicle.

With a low risk of the rollover, your vehicle will be granted a better steering effect, better handling, less understeer, and a stiffer ride.

Reduced rollovers also decrease the chances of skidding off the road during emergency maneuvers to avoid collisions.

Vehicle heights are also reduced to lower leaning, especially at corners. Also, lowered vehicles recover quickly from leaning.

What Are the Disadvantages of Lowering a Car?

Here are some of the disadvantages associated with lowering your vehicle’s height:

1. Loss of Control

Driving on highways may become more complex as some control might be lost once you lower the car.

In addition, it’s possible that an inexperienced driver would lose control and find themselves in a bad situation.

2. Damaged Underside

Whenever you encounter a pothole or drive over speed limiters, your vehicle’s underside would receive mechanical damage because of its closeness to the ground.

In addition, the chassis might get damaged over time and can cause uneven wear to tires.

3. Lower Resale Value

The vehicle would no doubt have lost its original value and would be difficult to sell at a traditional dealership. Many customers would prefer a factory standard and may be skeptical about modification.

4. Harder Ride

people with long legs might feel very cramped in low cars, making these drivers susceptible to back pain, primarily if they are professional drivers.

What You Need to Know Before You Lower Your Car

Here are some things to know before lowering your car.

1. When working on your shocks, struts, or other components, don’t use short-cuts. You want to avoid failing parts at all costs.
2. Always make efforts to modify your car to be legal and roadworthy. Get accurate information from your agent before you customize your ride. The suitable modifications protect your insurance validity.
3. You may need to lower your car to the maximum acceptable level for increased performance when driving the vehicle. However, to make sure that parts like springs and struts can keep your tires at the right angles, get professional help.
4. After lowering your vehicle, get an alignment check to ensure the best tire life and handling.
5. It would help if you were ready to adapt to your new set of wheels. With the much stiffer suspension, your vehicle may steer a little differently and won’t absorb road shocks as it did in the past.

Frequently Asked Questions – How Much Does It Cost to Lower a Car

Conclusion – How Much Does It Cost to Lower a Car

You can lower your automobile using various methods, such as changing the coil-over and leaf springs, adding lowering springs, installing air suspensions, etc.

The complexity of the modification dramatically affects how much it will cost to lower your car.

Spring replacement costs range from $100 to $300, while a bespoke hydraulic suspension system costs around $1000. Of course, the lowering alteration you choose will entirely depend on your preferences and financial situation.