Lowering front, one coils not enough
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 845
Likes: 1
From: Columbus Indiana
Lowering front, one coils not enough
I'd been following along on another thread about a fellow '76 owner wanting to lower his car.
This past Sunday I decided to whip the front springs out and cut 1 full coil off each.
This all went fine, but when all finished up I still have just under 3" of empty wheel well showing above the tire. The front end is no longer higher than the rear, but they are just now even.
Before, it really looked like the engine was out or a set of tall big block springs were installed. Now it looks like I'm down to stock, where most other guys start out.
Has anyone cut more than one coil out? 1/2 more maybe? I'd hate to ruin the coils and have to buy a new set, but I'd like to reduce that space another 1 1/2".
Anyone have any experience with bobbing more than one coil when lowering?
Thanks!
John
This past Sunday I decided to whip the front springs out and cut 1 full coil off each.
This all went fine, but when all finished up I still have just under 3" of empty wheel well showing above the tire. The front end is no longer higher than the rear, but they are just now even.
Before, it really looked like the engine was out or a set of tall big block springs were installed. Now it looks like I'm down to stock, where most other guys start out.
Has anyone cut more than one coil out? 1/2 more maybe? I'd hate to ruin the coils and have to buy a new set, but I'd like to reduce that space another 1 1/2".
Anyone have any experience with bobbing more than one coil when lowering?
Thanks!
John
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 14,950
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From: NYC NY
You may find this thread helpfull. Click on the link in the 1st post. http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...d-my-68-a.html
If you're not happy with the stance as it sits now you really only have a few options. 
Either cut the springs again or buy another set. Remember you can always cut more off but if you cut too much then.........well you know the rest.
Either cut the springs again or buy another set. Remember you can always cut more off but if you cut too much then.........well you know the rest.
Senior Member since 1492
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...
St. Jude Donor '09
Do a search. You're doing it wrong. The top of the spring must be seated in the upper spring pocket & groove. Bottom groove doesn't matter.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 845
Likes: 1
From: Columbus Indiana
Guys, I appreciate the replys. That '68 sits nice in the after pics. Mine was higher than his in his before pics. I pretty much did as he described. I like to pop the lower ball joints loose instead of the tops, but I cut my spring with a cut off wheel too.
Front suspension work isn't hard, my quick project went good, I just didn't get quite the results I'd hoped for. I've never lowered the front end on a car before, I've never had to.
I made sure the tops and bottoms of the springs were seated properly, and I did drop the front end 1 1/2 to 2 inches.....it just wasn't enough.
One reply said he'd cut 1 1/2 coils out. I might try that. I suppose if it drops too far I can rustle up a set of used springs off e-bay cheap.
Thanks again
John
Front suspension work isn't hard, my quick project went good, I just didn't get quite the results I'd hoped for. I've never lowered the front end on a car before, I've never had to.
I made sure the tops and bottoms of the springs were seated properly, and I did drop the front end 1 1/2 to 2 inches.....it just wasn't enough.
One reply said he'd cut 1 1/2 coils out. I might try that. I suppose if it drops too far I can rustle up a set of used springs off e-bay cheap.
Thanks again
John
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,362
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From: Brazos TX
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
Are you driving the car around to settle the springs once you re-install them? What size tires are you running to have a fender gap of 4.5 or 5""? At the current ride height what is the distance between your lower control arm bump stop and the frame (i.e. how much more suspension travel to you have left)? I have no problem with chopping more off the spring but be sure you have the suspension travel and that things are properly settled before you go too far.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 57
From: Mundelein Illinois
I been where your at but at this point I would cut 1/8 at a time to get to where you want. If you cut a 1/4 or 1/2 it maybe to much and then the springs are junk. Cut 1/8 and measure the drop difference and go from there.
I know taking it apart again is a pita but it's cheaper than buying new springs. I did mine three times to get it perfect.
Good Luck
I know taking it apart again is a pita but it's cheaper than buying new springs. I did mine three times to get it perfect.
Good Luck
Last edited by spedaleden; Sep 2, 2009 at 08:58 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 845
Likes: 1
From: Columbus Indiana
Are you driving the car around to settle the springs once you re-install them? What size tires are you running to have a fender gap of 4.5 or 5""? At the current ride height what is the distance between your lower control arm bump stop and the frame (i.e. how much more suspension travel to you have left)?
Yeah, I've drove all this week. My tire size is 235-60. I've got exactly 2" between the a-frame rubber bumper and the notch on the frame.
I've got a pic that I took early this spring. If you look close you can see the empty space above the front tire.
Really, it looked like the engine was out of the car. It sits better now, and I got to thinking maybe I'd better cool my jets untill I get my finial wheel/tire combo bought and installed.
Thanks for all the help....
John
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Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,112
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From: Florida
You have something odd going on in there.
First, 235 60 are pretty small dia tires, but they shouldn't have this much gap.
Did you cut the coils of the top or bottom of the spring, top is wound tighter than the bottom???
The only thing I can think of off hand, is that your springs are extra heavy duty even for a BB.
Here is a car with 1/2 coil cut off the bottom and front tires the same size as yours. The fender gap is acceptable.
First, 235 60 are pretty small dia tires, but they shouldn't have this much gap.
Did you cut the coils of the top or bottom of the spring, top is wound tighter than the bottom???
The only thing I can think of off hand, is that your springs are extra heavy duty even for a BB.
Here is a car with 1/2 coil cut off the bottom and front tires the same size as yours. The fender gap is acceptable.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 845
Likes: 1
From: Columbus Indiana
Man! I like the way that car sits!
Here is a pic I just took of the front wheel on mine....
Like I said, about 3" showing above the tire, and thats with 1 full coil cut off.
Maybe I need taller tires, not less spring.
John
Here is a pic I just took of the front wheel on mine....
Like I said, about 3" showing above the tire, and thats with 1 full coil cut off.
Maybe I need taller tires, not less spring.
John
Pro
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 703
Likes: 2
BE CARFEULL WHEN CUTTING ALOT OF YOUR SPRING OFF!!
When you cut the coils, your tires will begin to slant in so make sure you have enough shims that can be removed to straighten them back out, otherwise you will end up having to install the off-set A-Arm rods..
I cut about 1-3/4 off mine and when I took it in for the re-alignment, they had to remove all my shims and also told me if I had cut anymore off, they wouldnt be able to align it without the off-set rods.
When you cut the coils, your tires will begin to slant in so make sure you have enough shims that can be removed to straighten them back out, otherwise you will end up having to install the off-set A-Arm rods..
I cut about 1-3/4 off mine and when I took it in for the re-alignment, they had to remove all my shims and also told me if I had cut anymore off, they wouldnt be able to align it without the off-set rods.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 845
Likes: 1
From: Columbus Indiana
Man, everytime I think I'll just leave well enough alone, you guys post pics of perfectly lowered cars and I start to rethink.....spedaleden, noonie, FKING1 all your cars look great, just the right amount of tire/wheel well showing.
Fishndude, I'd read in another thread about this problem. I was wondering up to what point one was "safe".
I'm trying hard to just convince myself to wait untill I can scrape up the money to get the tires and wheels and then worry about the tire gaps....
Thanks again
John
Fishndude, I'd read in another thread about this problem. I was wondering up to what point one was "safe".
I'm trying hard to just convince myself to wait untill I can scrape up the money to get the tires and wheels and then worry about the tire gaps....
Thanks again
John
Pro
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 703
Likes: 2
I think each car is going to be different depending on alot of factors such as starting height, spring rate and the tire size your trying to hug.. I cut mine 3 different times and each time I removed shims to straighten the wheels back out to see how much more I could go..
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,802
Likes: 241
From: Niles, MI
BE CARFEULL WHEN CUTTING ALOT OF YOUR SPRING OFF!!
When you cut the coils, your tires will begin to slant in so make sure you have enough shims that can be removed to straighten them back out, otherwise you will end up having to install the off-set A-Arm rods..
I cut about 1-3/4 off mine and when I took it in for the re-alignment, they had to remove all my shims and also told me if I had cut anymore off, they wouldnt be able to align it without the off-set rods.
When you cut the coils, your tires will begin to slant in so make sure you have enough shims that can be removed to straighten them back out, otherwise you will end up having to install the off-set A-Arm rods..
I cut about 1-3/4 off mine and when I took it in for the re-alignment, they had to remove all my shims and also told me if I had cut anymore off, they wouldnt be able to align it without the off-set rods.
Racer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 398
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento California
Something else to consider, when you cut coils off the spring you will increase the spring rate givving a stiffer ride quality (but may improve handling). Have you checked your rear suspension for broken leaves or worn bushings, etc.?
