Originally posted by dryver:
the springs bear the weight of the car. it also determines the ride height. there are lowering springs that allow you to use your standard shock absorbers. but if you want serious lowering, you will need stiffer absorbers.
wrong. the shock absorbers
AND springs have their fair share of the car's weight to bear, though, they perform different functions under differing road conditions.
ride height is determined by both the shock absorber and springs. i can lower the spring perches on my shock absorber without changing springs, the car would still be lowered (as in coilovers). i change to shorter springs without changing my shocks, my car will also be lowered (as in lowering springs). it depends on wat method u use (safest way is use a combo of both).
when u want serious lowering, u need absorbers with a shorter stroke rather than absorbers which are stiffer, coz the distance of travel they undergo is effectively reduced significantly. u can use a damn stiff absorber with a long stroke and its lifespan would still be shortened like mad since it operates in a "compressed" state most of the time with the car lowered. of course, stiffness is part of the intrinsic characteristic of most shocks with short strokes for obvious advantages in handling (at the expense of comfort).