Lowering Springs

[92Master]

I am considering getting Intrax lowering springs for the RM(1.8 in drop). Will I have problems with the springs popping out if i jack up the car? I really dont want to have to buy drop shocks as the shocks i got arent that old. The previous owners had all the paperwork on the car and all it says about the shocks is that they are Sensatrac. Also, my subs are in the trunk and the box weighs approx. 75lbs. Will i have to worry about the back end sagging w/ lowering springs? I'm beginning to think it would just be better to go w/ ss springs. I can get those from Dal, right?

Thanks for the help🙂

 

[Buffman]

it depends on how much of a drop you want. Personally i like my SS srpings.

 

[92Master]

I would like to go about 2 in, but 1.8 is close enough for me. How much lower do the ss springs make it, 1/2- 3/4in?

 

[Buffman]

about a full 1" usually.

 

[92Master]

A full inch? thats not too bad. Do you think i will have problems with 1.8 or 2in lowering springs (w/stock shocks) popping out if i have to jack up the car, though? or these springs sagging in the rear w/ my subs in the trunk??

 

[Buffman]

to be honest I'm not too sure when to a point where you'd need proper shocks. Now what does it list that drop in ride on??? An Impala SS??

 

[92Master]

It says Caprice/Impala ss 1.8" drop 91-96.

Heres a pic of the Intrax springs on a RM. I'd say 1.8" on a caprice or RM, not on an Impala ss

 

[Buffman]

yeah a 9c1 caprice is usually 2" taller than a RM or SS. without checking I think the RM is still shorter than a regular caprice but not as short as a Impala SS. I dropped an 1" switching from my dynaride springs to the SS springs. one thing to look out for is if you buy used springs. If you buy new from Dal you don't have to worry about it because they use the later design.

However the 94 ss springs are not as short in the front. They're just as stiff but not as short. The 95-96 springs are shorter up front and when installed you will notice the rake. I used 94 springs (didn't know the difference at the time) and even though the spring was shorter uncompressed than the dynaride spring I have the exact same heigh in the front. The back dropped an 1". I only have about a 1" difference between the front and back so the rake isn't that noticeable.

 

[92Master]

Whatever springs i get, i want to go w/ new ones. I got to thinking, and 2" might be a little too low for the road conditions around where i live, and i dont want my car's ride to be hurt a lot either. If i got ss springs, i would get them through Dal.

 

[Buffman]

yeah. There's nothing wrong with low mileage springs. I bought mine with 40k on them. However I'd be leary of buying any springs with over 100k on them especially dynaride or the GT springs 🙂

 

[DanC]

92Master,

Here is a pic of my '93RM wagon with 2" lowering coils and with stock springs. Both with 245/40-18's
Just added a pic of the current config w/ 255/55-18 tires.

The lowering coils did cause the car to constantly hit the lower control arm jounce bumpers, and the rear springs DO fall out when jacking! Don't know if it would happen, but often wondered if they would fall out after a spirited leap over a railroad crossing😱

I have since returned to the original springs and went to larger 255/55-18 tires

BTW if interested I'd sell these Sprint Lowering springs for $80 plus actual shipping.

DanC

 

[Mortify]

The intrax suspension is made for the Impala, which is ALREADY 1" lower than any Roadie, what you would be doing is lowering it 2.8" front and 2.6" rear.

good luck 🙂

 

[92Master]

92Master,

Here is a pic of my '93RM wagon with 2" lowering coils and with stock springs. Both with 245/40-18's

The lowering coils did cause the car to constantly hit the lower control arm jounce bumpers, and the rear springs DO fall out when jacking! Don't know if it would happen, but often wondered if they would fall out after a spirited leap over a railroad crossing😱

I have since returned to the original springs and went to larger 255/55-18 tires

BTW if interested I'd sell these Sprint Lowering springs for $80 plus actual shipping.

DanC

Thanks, DanC thats what i wanted to know. Since i dont want to get new shocks, I'll probably go with stock Impala ss springs and some sway bars for good handling.

 

[DanC]

No Change Necessary...

Since i dont want to get new shocks, quote]

I forgot to cover that, I did not change my shocks during the lowering spring change and there were no issues.

This car has a factory towing package with the auto level system. When I did lower the car I had to disconnect the control link to the sensor and add a manual inflation kit. The link had to be removed as there was no way of adjusting it for the travel extremes.

I also later changed to KYB (Caprice) Police/Taxi shocks and what a differance those made! I like 'em! They did away will all that "floatie" luxury travel. Of course this also did away with the auto level since I have returned to the stock springs and curb height lately. But maybe later I'll add the Air Lift bags that go inside the coils and reactivate the auto ride system.

DanC

 

[92Master]

^^I know that its not necessary to change the shocks, but I dont want to have to worry about my springs falling out, so I'd have to get drop shocks to cure that. Oh, and BTW your car looks great! I have to say, I like it better lowered, but it would prolly look a lot better at stock height w/ the beefier tires. You got a pic w/ those tires??

 

[Portholes]

I'm confused

I just got lowering springs for my 94 RM. Will I, or will I not have to change the shocks? Thanks.

Since i dont want to get new shocks, quote]

I forgot to cover that, I did not change my shocks during the lowering spring change and there were no issues.

This car has a factory towing package with the auto level system. When I did lower the car I had to disconnect the control link to the sensor and add a manual inflation kit. The link had to be removed as there was no way of adjusting it for the travel extremes.

I also later changed to KYB (Caprice) Police/Taxi shocks and what a differance those made! I like 'em! They did away will all that "floatie" luxury travel. Of course this also did away with the auto level since I have returned to the stock springs and curb height lately. But maybe later I'll add the Air Lift bags that go inside the coils and reactivate the auto ride system.

DanC

 

[DanC]

92Master, Thanks for the compliments. It does look better lowered, but is a lot more "real world" friendly with the stock height. I do use the car to haul the family, tow a trailer, and as a truck! A truely universal vehicle, and I really like the fact I can lay 4x8 sheets of plywood in there and close up the back end! I was looking for a pic to post of the present setup but don't have one, so I reckon I'll hafta take one tomorrow!

OK now I know what yer sayin' about the shocks, but on the rear (which are the only ones to fall out) you can't change the tire w/o lettin 'em hang down past the point of falling out due to the half wheel well. I did have limiting cables on my axle for that 'falling out issue' but found there was no way to change a tire like that. Hence another reason for the "real world" comment. I can see it now, traveling down a dark road, at night, in the rain, having a rear tire failure and having to pull off onto the unpaved shoulder to change the tire and the spring will fall out

There would be no issue with this on the fronts as they are still under tension when the upper A arm is resting on the frame just as with the stock ones.

DanC

 

[DanC]

I just got lowering springs for my 94 RM. Will I, or will I not have to change the shocks? Thanks.


Portholes, No you will not have to change out the shocks but you will have the issue of springs falling out on the rear only. And as I said to 92Master if you limit the travel of the rear to keep the springs from falling out then you can't remove the rear wheels due to the half wheel well opening! Also if you have the auto level system you will hafta remove the sensor link as it cannot be shortened enough and then physically make the travel distance between weight on wheels and jacked.

DanC

 

[DanC]

92Master, as requested heres a photo of the current configuration with the 255/55-18 tires and stock springs.

Maybe I should think about the Impala SS springs for the 1" drop, but I hate messing with those front coils. Especially for a 3rd time!

DanC

 

[92Master]

looks great.😀 the bigger tires go better w/ the stock height