Stock shocks, aftermarket springs?

[Pestilaence]

Yeah, yeah... I know this topic has been brought up about eleven-teen times, but my question is slightly different than all the other posts I've found. I've seen people on either side of the proverbial fence on this one... I know that if you get aftermarket springs, use the stock shocks, and drop the car or truck an inch or more, then it's REALLY not good for the shocks. But, my concern is, what if I used this situation, and only dropped the car a half inch, to three-quarters? How do you guys think the stock shocks would hold up? I have the USP package, so the shocks and springs are, so I hear, a bit better than the normal package. Would it still be ok for a while?

[Hamotee]

USP springs and shocks are the same as sport springs and shocks.

[Pestilaence]

Ahmm... Ok, then why have I heard that the suspension system on the USP's are better? Either way, if they're better or not, is a half inch drop something that the shocks could handle?

[Wanted]

I would believe that you'd be ok for more than awhile considering the amount of drop you're looking at.

Until I see otherwise on some spec sheet it's unfathomable for me to imagine that these stock shocks are dialed in, so to spec, that .5 or .75 will make so much difference in their day-to-day operation that it results in early failure. Fluid, gas filled, etc, etc - no matter what it is has a "range of operation" that it operates in and there isn't an "at rest" zone built in that would say that it's sitting non-traveled height should be at x for maximum life.

I honestly think - and I'll put my flame suit on for this one - that the canned answers you get on this board regarding "oh you'll wear them out quick" etc is based on the "don't do it different than me mentality" that rules on this forum.

[Pestilaence]

Yeah, that's what I was thinking, but was hoping to have an unbiased answer. That's why I said I've seen people on both sides saying they swear by their answer. Either way, I think I might just do it... No, if I can find a shop in town that would put on the springs for me.

[Turbo1A4]

you should be ok but i would get new shocks as soon as you got the money

[Pestilaence]

Well yeah... I didn't plan on leaving the stockers on there forever... But I really only wanted a half in drop or so, nothing major.

[Hamotee]

To grossly oversimplify it: It has more do to with spring rates than it does the ride height. Most shocks are designed to damper a given spring rate. Most lowering springs have higher spring rates, this works the stock shocks harder/more. This is my understanding...

[forevraudi]

ive had my car dropped since early summer with some tein s-techs and my stock struts are still holding up ( i have a base b6). IMO, i jumped the gun with getting springs. they aren't adjustable like CO's, which is what i need now for winter so i can hook up some chains. Spend the money off the bat and get some CO's, or spend the same ammount buying springs, than struts later, and not having the ability to adjust. theres a thread about Vmaxx CO's right now if money is a problem for you

[Pestilaence]

Yeah, I had seen where they were offering the sets for about 600 bucks. It doesn't seem bad at all, but I figured I could use springs for now. I haven't bought anything, and may not, I was just curious how it would affect everything. I know it's also not based on ride height, really, but that's the easiest for me to say, instead of saying I want to drop it, and how would the new spring rate affect the shocks. Either way, I'll look into the Vmaxx ones, and see what people say about them.

[jhern038]

I have a factory height B6 as well and recently bought some H&R springs but I'm still waiting for their arrival. Im planning on running the stock shocks as well since they already have 100k, but my main concern is not the shocks but the CAMBER WEAR rather. Does anyone know much dropping a car 1.7 inches will affect the camber wear on the tires??

[Hamotee]

Spring rate effects the shocks because the shocks act as dampers on the spring. Otherwise when you hit a bump you car would bounce up and down for extended periods of time.

[gdawg'05a4]

You can certainly do it but it does accelerate the wear on the stock shocks as they're really meant for the stock spring rate. If you've waited this long and are planning on getting shocks down the road, I'd advise waiting to both at the same time. Think about it, you're going to pay the labor TWICE to go in there...once to do the springs and once to do the shocks. It takes about 3-4 hours to install them, pending the shop doesn't have issues getting them out. If you do both at once, you only pay the labor once.

[grimlock]

Keep in mind that if you're paying someone to do the install, you'll pay twice if you're just going to get coilovers later.

[greyturbo]

It takes about 3-4 hours to install them, pending the shop doesn't have issues getting them out. If you do both at once, you only pay the labor once.

I did mine in 2 hours in my garage with no power tools except an electric impact, i would hope a shop wouldnt take 3-4 hours!

[gdawg'05a4]

I'm going off of what area shops and other members have posted. It could take less if there were no issues but with my car it took 4 hours. The front setup wouldn't come out, bolts were seized. So it all depends but regardless, still paying twice for labor.