Final answer:
Technician A is correct; worn springs can affect ride height by causing the car to sit lower as they lose tension. However, while worn stabilizer bushings can impact handling, they do not significantly affect ride height. When lowering a vehicle, stiffer springs are recommended to compensate for the reduced suspension travel and maintain proper suspension function.
Step-by-step explanation:
When lowering a car closer to the ground than its manufactured ride height, the installation of stiffer springs is generally recommended. Technician A is correct in saying that worn springs can affect ride height because as springs wear out, they can lose their tension and ability to support the vehicle's weight, causing the car to sit lower. However, while worn stabilizer bushings can affect the vehicle's stability and handling, Tech B is incorrect in saying that they can affect ride height substantially as their primary function is to reduce body roll during turns rather than support the vehicle's weight.
Those who modify their cars to lower ride height often aim to improve handling characteristics such as reducing body roll and maintaining a lower center of gravity. Stiffer springs can compensate for the reduced suspension travel and help maintain proper ride height and suspension function. This is because stiffer springs have a higher spring rate and are resistant to compression compared to softer springs.
To elaborate on the physics behind sprungs, when two springs have different force constants and equal weights are suspended from them, Spring A, with a greater force constant, will have less extension compared to Spring B, which has a lower force constant (answer to question 23, based on Hooke's Law).