Suggestions on lowering the rear end?

[voltage692]

Any experts here that know the right way to lower the rear end .5" to 1"?

It just looks too high to me in the rear. The front looks ok, and I wouldn't want to lose any more ground clearance on the front anyway, but the rear definitely could afford to lose some height.

I plan to take it in this week to have the lower body moldings painted, which should help to make it look less jacked up, but the fender is just too high.

P1060191 (Large).jpg

[WopOnTour]

To do so would seriously jeapordize aerodynamics (range/economy) and potentially ride and handling.
I guess if those don't mean much to you and visual asthetics is of primary importance, you could always have the rear coil springs cut. Visit a local "ricer" shop, they'll hook ya up (and maybe add a big rear wing!?!)

WOT

[voltage692]

Thanks Dad, and I am sure glad you gave me that lecture on range and economy. You are so wise.

Anyone with a useful suggestion? (no WOTDAD, cutting springs is a bad idea (bad Daddy!) because it changes the spring rate and poentially weakens the spring if they overheat it while cutting) I need help finding a lowering spring that keeps the equivalent ride.

[WopOnTour]

Thanks Dad, and I am sure glad you gave me that lecture on range and economy. You are so wise.

Anyone with a useful suggestion? (no WOTDAD, cutting springs is a bad idea (bad Daddy!) because it changes the spring rate and poentially weakens the spring if they overheat it while cutting) I need help finding a lowering spring that keeps the equivalent ride.

Hey sonny boy, ease up on the attitude!
I assure you this isn’t my first rodeo.
And this certainly isn’t the first time you've mouthed back with “tone” and disrespect to members just trying to help, give advice, or opinions.
Won’t be tolerated
So consider this a first warning

Now first of all, my intention was to simply state that IF you don't care about the potential negative effects then certainly you can get the springs modified. The fact is the Volt and Cruze are a relatively new platform for GM (Delta II) and as such AFAIK no suspension companies have yet to offer lowing springs for either. The Volt is already much lower than the Cruze of course, so I suspect the early trick will be to order Volt springs for the Cruze. But I doubt you'll ever see a "lowing" kit for the Volt, given it's already very low.

So for now and the foreseeable you are looking at modifying the springs or spring seats to get any further lowering.
FYI "cutting" the springs is best performed with a band saw, not a cutting torch so that they are not overheated.
Assuming you don't have that type of equipment in your shop, you'll be best advised to take it to a shop that specializes in suspension modifications and has 4-wheel alignment equipment to readjust afterwards.
If you require the Volt's alignment specs for this purpose, shoot me a PM
Regards
WOT

[Rusty]

While I'd suggest both of you lighten up, as this forum so far has maintained something of a respect of courtesy, decorum (with appropriate limits), and tolerance (and a bare minimum of administrative intervention)...

Would lowering the back end significantly increase lift at speed? While I certainly haven't run the $59.95 model through a tunnel, seems like lowering the back end would kill the effect of the minimalist spoiler. Granted the back end of a Volt doesn't do much but go along for a ride, I wouldn't want mine to be hoppy...

[Nick D]

I would wait until a lowering kit comes out. Coming from the mod world I can say that there will be one eventually. I plan on lowering my Prius this summer - there are several kits.

Your options right now are, You can try and find a simmilar spring that is a bit shorter, 1/2" to 1" as you say. If you call a reputable customization shop they could probably help you locate a good spring. Then there are the old school ways, all of these will jepordize ride quality.

1 - Clamps. Dont know if you can still buy them but they used to sell clamps that you could clamp the spring together a little to lower it .
2 - Heat, back in the day we would put the car on a jack heat the springs with a torch, then lower the jack to the desired level, then let the springs cool.
3 - Cutting the springs, As mentioned above the springs can be removed, cut, and reinstalled.

All of these methods will jepordize ride quality - this is how the early lowriders were created - and they rode terrible. If you wait a few months im sure there will be an option available for a lowering spring. Contact companies that make the springs and let them know you are interested - they may already have an option and just have not marketed it for the Volt yet.

You may want to wait 6 months or so before commiting to this as well, Springs do take a while to settle into the actual ride height, and often do settle a half inch or so.

One other thing you can do - put a few sandbags in the trunk and see if you like the way it looks lowered. I wouldnt drive around that way as it could cut into your range.

[CorvetteGuy]

I would have the kids ride in the back.

[larry4pyro]

Not sure lowering the car is a good idea but if you only want to drop it a half inch you could use a lower profile tire in the rear. Of course this would increase your rolling resistance and therefore your efficiency. You could also just put bags of sand in the rear.

[Nick D]

Using a smaller OD(outside diameter) wheel would throw off his MPH and MPG calculations Odemeter, Speedometer, DTE range etc., could have adverse effects on the stability and traction control and would make the wheel gap bigger - this would make the car look worse becasue big wheel gaps are ugly. Why do you think Lexus, BMW, and mercedes look so nice - virtually no wheel gap.

When changing Rim sizes people make sure that the OD of the wheel is as close as possible to the factory size.

[Nick D]

voltage - you should contact eibach and let them know what your doing. They have a kit for the Cruze - if the suspension components are shared between these two platforms they may work. They may also be able to get you a part number that would be a best fit. I think a 1" Drop in the rear would be sweet.