Leaving out the pads is not going to get you much closer to the ground, if that's what you are trying to accomplish. A shorter stiffer performance spring is what you are looking for. Pads prevent metal to metal contact on the spring seats, keep the springs from "walking" around and wearing excessively.

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Jeff Lawrence
1989 300e
2000 Dodge Grand Caravan SE
No matter what you fix, there will always be something else to fix..
"Warranty" is just another way of postponing the inevitable.