Stock vs aftermarket!

Originally Posted by dP3NGU1N

I'm under the impression that OP does not know the difference between shocks, springs, and suspension.

Suspension is the sum of the parts that isolate (or transfer) the energy of the road from/to the driver. The shocks and the springs are the two major components that make up this system.

I think what your friends, who graduated from automotive schools, are referring to is the fact that using lowering springs with the stock shocks will put more stress on the shocks and, therefore, wear them out sooner than the stock springs. This all depends on your level of drop ofcourse and what kind of roads you drive on, ymmv. The reason they wear out sooner is because, with lowering springs, they are no longer operating within their specified range of motion.