T-RO

If you lower your car using springs or a coilover setup but keep your stock shocks. What exactly causes the stress that could blow your shocks? Is it the lowered height? Or is it the stiffer spring rate?

By the way, does anyone know the stock spring rate on a 94 Civic EX?

Thanks everyone.

hybridhondahatch

its just because the stress when the shocks are awalys compressed

Nelson

Stock springs are softer... aftermarket lowering springs are very hard.

Stock shocks/struts were designed for the stock softer spings.

FromTheBottom

Lowering springs put more force on the shocks because they are now more compressed under the same weight. This compression makes inner pressure greater causing fatigue failure.

19.3secS2K

Crucial mentioned something about sometimes you can accidentally blow the shocks by not installing the springs right.

crucial Si

indeed.

CivicSiRacer

Actually an aftermarket spring makes the shock work harder not because your car is compressing the shock more, but because since the spring is stiffer it compresses and rebounds the shocks more often hence making the shock work MORE than a softer OEM spring.

CXHatchback

well obviously it's both. The constant pressure the shock is under, and the inability of the stock shock to keep up with the higher spring rates.

CivicSiRacer

Well actually making the shock work harder will make the oil or gases in the shock overcook/boil in some instances. Which is why when you blow a shock the oil or gases start to leak out of the seals cause the seals were not meant to take that much abuse.

Wish I kept that website about what goes on in a shock.

agent87

In addition to the already stated fact that the shocks would have to attempt to slow down greater forces, I thought I'd also add the obvious... If you go too low, the shock can bottom out causing internal damage.