The music group War made the song “Low Rider” one of the biggest hits of the seventies. Low riding cars are synonymous with the inner city urban culture, but that is not the only place where you will see them. Low riding is an adjustment of the car that can be found even in affluent suburbs.
Definition of low riding
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It is easy enough to explain. Low riding means lowering the suspension of the car until it is barely inches off the ground. This is an alteration that any aftermarket suspension system can provide. People may think that low riding is just for cosmetic and visual purposes. That is not the complete truth. There really are some advantages to the suspension adjustment.
Wind drag is something every car owner has to endure with performance. Lowering the suspension means there is not as much air going underneath the automobile. The problem is associated with wind drag which is consequently reduced. A suspension that is a few inches lower will tighten the grip of the tires on the roadway and makes handling a little bit easier. Both reduction of wind drag and better handling happen to be reasons why high-performance sports cars will sit a little bit lower on the road.
Safety enhanced with lower suspension
Safety is something that is enhanced with a lower suspension. The possibility of a rollover becomes almost nonexistent when the car is just a few inches off of the road. There’s also better comfort in the drive. There is less of a general and more stiffness thanks to the decreased suspension.
Consequences of having a low rider
Sadly, there are a few consequences to having a low rider. The tires do have a better grip on the road, but the tire wear is a bit more uneven. Lowering the suspension can bring that system into direct contact with other parts of the car. This can include the antilock brake apparatus and sway bars. Tires can once again pay the price for lower suspension. If the job is done improperly the suspension will chew on the rubber exterior and that can be a serious risk. Routine maintenance cannot be done easily with a manual jack. Towing can also be a little bit more of a challenge than before. All this points to the understanding that before the suspension is reduced, the car owner has to weigh the pros and cons.
Whether to take this as D-I-Y or not?
Because lowering the suspension is something that many car enthusiasts want to do there are lowering suspension kits available on the market. These do not come cheap and will cost several hundred dollars at the very least. There is a lot to lowering the suspension and the shocks and spring are just part of the equation. Anyone attempting this as a do-it-yourself project must take their time. As pointed out earlier a poor suspension job can raise havoc with the tires. It also caused some challenges with the braking system of the car. This is not something that can be done in an hour on a weekend afternoon.
Contact an automotive service center
The purchase kits may not take into consideration the model of the car. That should be enough to make any car owner stop a second before trying to do this alone. The suspension systems of new cars are much more sophisticated in the past. A person can run a risk of doing some very serious damage to his or her vehicle. This is a job perhaps is better done by an automotive service center. The mechanics can make sure that this suspension system once lowered is not going to cause problems with other systems in the car. They can also make sure that the tires are protected from any damage.
You might be using your low rider to cruise through the barrio, or maybe just to head out to the grocery store. Whatever the case may be those who lower the suspension of their car seem to enjoy the appearance and the ride. Always keep in mind that altering any automobile will require patient work and then firm observation afterwards. The tires in particular will have to be checked for any evidence of an even wear. The car owner may have to accept the possibility that he or she will need more than a jack for any routine maintenance. If the pros and cons are weighed carefully the right decision can be made.
