cutting coil springs
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 935
Likes: 20
From: Indianapolis Indiana
cutting coil springs
Can you cut coil springs while they are still on the car? I am getting rid of the springs anyways. I was hoping this would be a safe way to remove any leftover pressure that is on them.
I currently have nothing but the drivetrain on the frame and the font end is lifted up. There should be much pressure on the spring as it is.
thanks
jim
I currently have nothing but the drivetrain on the frame and the font end is lifted up. There should be much pressure on the spring as it is.
thanks
jim
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 11,183
Likes: 3,335
From: North of Toronto - Ontario
Until you drop the lower control arm there's a fair amount of pressure still on the spring, especially the long style SB springs. (Cutting them on the car could be entertaining so if you do, make sure you are filming it so you can post it for us when you come to)
Hundreds (thousands?) of people have dropped the control arm with the spring in without any issues, there's a handful of methods but the most common would be to place a trolley jack under the arm, disconnect the spindle (upper or lower ball-joint) and slowly lower the jack. You can place a chain down through the spring to keep it from becoming a projectile, or a long steel rod dropped through the shock hole. Once the arm is down most of the way there's very little pressure left on the spring and it's safe to remove by hand
Lots of posts showing different methods, take your time, don't kick and pry and it's easy to take them out
M
Hundreds (thousands?) of people have dropped the control arm with the spring in without any issues, there's a handful of methods but the most common would be to place a trolley jack under the arm, disconnect the spindle (upper or lower ball-joint) and slowly lower the jack. You can place a chain down through the spring to keep it from becoming a projectile, or a long steel rod dropped through the shock hole. Once the arm is down most of the way there's very little pressure left on the spring and it's safe to remove by hand
Lots of posts showing different methods, take your time, don't kick and pry and it's easy to take them out
M
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Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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I would love the vid of cutting them on the car. But have your mother in law do the cutting as you film from a distance
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,338
Likes: 1,590
From: Western NY
Until you drop the lower control arm there's a fair amount of pressure still on the spring, especially the long style SB springs. (Cutting them on the car could be entertaining so if you do, make sure you are filming it so you can post it for us when you come to)
Hundreds (thousands?) of people have dropped the control arm with the spring in without any issues, there's a handful of methods but the most common would be to place a trolley jack under the arm, disconnect the spindle (upper or lower ball-joint) and slowly lower the jack. You can place a chain down through the spring to keep it from becoming a projectile, or a long steel rod dropped through the shock hole. Once the arm is down most of the way there's very little pressure left on the spring and it's safe to remove by hand
Lots of posts showing different methods, take your time, don't kick and pry and it's easy to take them out
M
Hundreds (thousands?) of people have dropped the control arm with the spring in without any issues, there's a handful of methods but the most common would be to place a trolley jack under the arm, disconnect the spindle (upper or lower ball-joint) and slowly lower the jack. You can place a chain down through the spring to keep it from becoming a projectile, or a long steel rod dropped through the shock hole. Once the arm is down most of the way there's very little pressure left on the spring and it's safe to remove by hand
Lots of posts showing different methods, take your time, don't kick and pry and it's easy to take them out
M
While this method works, you have to make sure that the car is raised enough off the ground, to allow the lower a-arm (while supported by the jack), to fully lower itself away from the chassis. That a-arm is going to pivot and drop a good 7-8 inches, before the spring will be pretty much "relaxed". You also have to make sure that the car is STABLE when doing this. And keep in mind, that when you re-install a new spring, using this method, you're going to be jacking the a-arm against the force of the spring, so I repeat, make sure that the car is STABLE when doing this.
Yes, I've done this job several times, on several different cars, a C-3 included............
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
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From: Im not allowed to tell you
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If you are using a torch then, yes you can. People used to heat them with torches to lower them the bubba way. So if you raise the front end and tires off the ground, then get them cherry red you will take the tension out of them. Do i suggest doing it this way....no. I am not a fan of open flame around my highly flammable plastic car myself. I get really nervous using a welder on it.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 479
Likes: 106
From: Beamsville Ontario
Until you drop the lower control arm there's a fair amount of pressure still on the spring, especially the long style SB springs. (Cutting them on the car could be entertaining so if you do, make sure you are filming it so you can post it for us when you come to)
Hundreds (thousands?) of people have dropped the control arm with the spring in without any issues, there's a handful of methods but the most common would be to place a trolley jack under the arm, disconnect the spindle (upper or lower ball-joint) and slowly lower the jack. You can place a chain down through the spring to keep it from becoming a projectile, or a long steel rod dropped through the shock hole. Once the arm is down most of the way there's very little pressure left on the spring and it's safe to remove by hand
Lots of posts showing different methods, take your time, don't kick and pry and it's easy to take them out
M
Hundreds (thousands?) of people have dropped the control arm with the spring in without any issues, there's a handful of methods but the most common would be to place a trolley jack under the arm, disconnect the spindle (upper or lower ball-joint) and slowly lower the jack. You can place a chain down through the spring to keep it from becoming a projectile, or a long steel rod dropped through the shock hole. Once the arm is down most of the way there's very little pressure left on the spring and it's safe to remove by hand
Lots of posts showing different methods, take your time, don't kick and pry and it's easy to take them out
M
Make sure the spring is secured....you don't have to ask how I know. SB spring, with the lower control arm fully relaxed still had pressure on it....thank god my head was leaning to the left or I would have had an imprint on my forehead as is shot out...secure it with a chain!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,232
Likes: 1,232
From: PHX AZ
I love MOOSER
Until you drop the lower control arm there's a fair amount of pressure still on the spring, especially the long style SB springs. (Cutting them on the car could be entertaining so if you do, make sure you are filming it so you can post it for us when you come to)
Hundreds (thousands?) of people have dropped the control arm with the spring in without any issues, there's a handful of methods but the most common would be to place a trolley jack under the arm, disconnect the spindle (upper or lower ball-joint) and slowly lower the jack. You can place a chain down through the spring to keep it from becoming a projectile, or a long steel rod dropped through the shock hole. Once the arm is down most of the way there's very little pressure left on the spring and it's safe to remove by hand
Lots of posts showing different methods, take your time, don't kick and pry and it's easy to take them out
M
Hundreds (thousands?) of people have dropped the control arm with the spring in without any issues, there's a handful of methods but the most common would be to place a trolley jack under the arm, disconnect the spindle (upper or lower ball-joint) and slowly lower the jack. You can place a chain down through the spring to keep it from becoming a projectile, or a long steel rod dropped through the shock hole. Once the arm is down most of the way there's very little pressure left on the spring and it's safe to remove by hand
Lots of posts showing different methods, take your time, don't kick and pry and it's easy to take them out
M
Disconnect the ball joint and do it properly!
Unkahal
