How to Lower a Buick
Lowering cars has been popular ever since the car was introduced, and it hasn't changed much since then. Each make and model has some specific ways to get them lower, and a Buick is no different. In this case, the project is a Buick Roadmaster, but the process is similar for many other models of Buicks as well.
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Things You'll Need
- 3/8-inch ratchet and socket set
- 1/2-inch ratchet and socket set
- Cotter pin puller
- Replacement cotter pins
- Lowering springs
- Vice grips
- Jack
- Jack stands
- 24-inch pry bar
- Pliers
- Open-end wrench set
- Tire iron
Instructions
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Front Suspension
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1
Jack up the vehicle and place it on jack stands. Make sure the vehicle is secure before you crawl underneath it. Remove the wheels using the tire iron and place them to the side.
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2
Unbolt the two bolts that secure the bottom of the front shock to the lower control arm using the 3/8-inch ratchet. Clamp the vice grips onto the top of the shock and loosen the bolt using the open-end wrench. The vice grips will stop the shock from turning and allow you to take off the nut. Remove the shock through the hole in the lower control arm.
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3
Place the jack underneath the lower control arm. Make sure the jack has positive pressure on the arm, but not enough pressure to lift the vehicle off of the stands.
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4
Pull out the cotter pin on the upper control arm using the pliers and cotter pin puller. Then unbolt the upper control arm from the spindle.
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5
Slowly lower the jack to relieve the coil's tension on the lower control arm. Remove the coil with the help of the 24-inch pry bar. This will help provide the leverage necessary to get the spring out of the pocket.
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6
Insert the lowering spring into the spring pocket, and jack up the lower control arm so you can bolt the upper control arm back to the spindle.
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7
Tighten the castle nut on the upper control arm, and insert a new cotter pin. Pull the cotter pin apart with the pliers so the two tabs of the pin are in opposite directions.
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8
Reinstall the shock in the opposite order it was removed, and mount the wheels and tires using the tire iron.
Rear Suspension
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9
Place the jack stands underneath the axle.
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10
Unbolt the shocks from the axle using the 3/8-inch ratchet and sockets. This will remove all tension from the axle.
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11
Jack up the axle using the jack, and remove the jack stands from the axle. Slowly lower the axle, which will let the springs fall out of their pockets.
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12
Insert the lowering springs in place of the factory units, and jack up the axle until you can bolt on the shocks.
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13
Bolt on the rear shocks using the 3/8-inch ratchet and sockets. Mount the wheels and tires using the tire iron, lift up the vehicle using the jack and remove the jack stands. The vehicle will settle a bit lower as soon as some miles are put on it.
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