Symptoms
- Scraping sound or contact on speed bumps, driveway aprons, or parking curbs
- Car was lowered from stock height, either from aftermarket springs or worn factory springs
- Front lip, splitter, or exhaust dragging
Likely causes
- CommonReduced ground clearance from a lowering modificationLowering springs or coilovers reduce the gap between the car's underside and obstacles.
- PossibleWorn or sagging factory springs reducing clearance unintentionallyEven a stock car can start scraping if springs have sagged well below factory height.
What to do
- Identify what's making contact: front lip, exhaust, splitter, or the car's undercarriage generally.
- Approach speed bumps and steep driveways at an angle rather than straight on to reduce the chance of scraping.
- Slow down significantly before any known scraping point.
- If the car was intentionally lowered, this may be an accepted tradeoff of the modification rather than something to fix.
- If the car wasn't intentionally lowered and clearance seems unusually low, have the springs checked for sagging.
Tools and parts
Higher-clearance springs if scraping is unacceptableSearch: “OE-height springs for [your car model]”
When to call a pro
If the car wasn't intentionally lowered, have a suspension shop check whether the springs have sagged below the factory specification.
Safety
Generally low risk
Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.