cutting front springs???
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
From: Birmingham AL
cutting front springs???
I have gathered with the help of the "wonderful" search tool that it can be done, but do you cut the top or bottom. And any other info would be great. Springs are already out of car and ready.
Thanks
Thanks
Racer
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 260
Likes: 3
From: Houston TX
cutting springs
Hmmmm.....I cut the top, seats in the top A-arm great. I couldn't see cutting the bottom, the lower A-arm has less raised metal to keep the spring in place. In my case, 1.5 turns out of top of spring = 2.0 inch drop initially and then about another .5 inch when it settles in the next week or so. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,817
Likes: 21
From: Somerset, NJ
Originally Posted by onaqwst
grinder/band saw/cutoff wheel
no heat!!!!!!!
b
no heat!!!!!!!
b
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 16,945
Likes: 9
Heat!!!! Cut them off torch the end cherry red, turn the spring around (of course don't grab the hot part 
) and sit on it. That will flatten the cut off coil. Not only will the spring seat better (and not dig into the frame with the sharp end) but you will also immobilize the cut off coil, makinng it inactive. You will only be in trouble if you heat the active coils of the spring, sometimes you see bubbafied springs like that where they heat them to make them sag and lower the car...excellent for handling..not.
) and sit on it. That will flatten the cut off coil. Not only will the spring seat better (and not dig into the frame with the sharp end) but you will also immobilize the cut off coil, makinng it inactive. You will only be in trouble if you heat the active coils of the spring, sometimes you see bubbafied springs like that where they heat them to make them sag and lower the car...excellent for handling..not.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
You'll hear horrible squeeking noises if the spring is not seated correctly in the upper pocket.
The last coil must be flattened.
The biggest problem with cutting springs is that you don't know where your ride height is going to be. You want to be careful and not cut too much...... you may have to cut it twice ....
Once you've cut 2 coils off you can't just glue 1/2 coil back in place.... so don't cut too much the first time and let it settle before you decide it's not low enough (drive the car for at least 5 miles)
I would buy the 550lbs springs from VBP (wait.... I did)
The last coil must be flattened.
The biggest problem with cutting springs is that you don't know where your ride height is going to be. You want to be careful and not cut too much...... you may have to cut it twice ....
Once you've cut 2 coils off you can't just glue 1/2 coil back in place.... so don't cut too much the first time and let it settle before you decide it's not low enough (drive the car for at least 5 miles)
I would buy the 550lbs springs from VBP (wait.... I did)
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Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,183
Likes: 1,178
From: out of nowhere
Originally Posted by RedBad1979
You'll hear horrible squeeking noises if the spring is not seated correctly in the upper pocket.
The last coil must be flattened.
The biggest problem with cutting springs is that you don't know where your ride height is going to be. You want to be careful and not cut too much...... you may have to cut it twice ....
Once you've cut 2 coils off you can't just glue 1/2 coil back in place.... so don't cut too much the first time and let it settle before you decide it's not low enough (drive the car for at least 5 miles)
I would buy the 550lbs springs from VBP (wait.... I did)
The last coil must be flattened.
The biggest problem with cutting springs is that you don't know where your ride height is going to be. You want to be careful and not cut too much...... you may have to cut it twice ....
Once you've cut 2 coils off you can't just glue 1/2 coil back in place.... so don't cut too much the first time and let it settle before you decide it's not low enough (drive the car for at least 5 miles)
I would buy the 550lbs springs from VBP (wait.... I did)
Racer
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 260
Likes: 3
From: Houston TX
cut the top
portable band-saw
(It should only take a min to get threw)
on a side note: I bought an extra pair front springs just incase the cutting went bad. - I would recommend this.
(It should only take a min to get threw)
on a side note: I bought an extra pair front springs just incase the cutting went bad. - I would recommend this.
Last edited by uhvette; Jul 29, 2006 at 06:26 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 16,100
Likes: 17
On stock springs cutting 1/2 coil will generally drop front 1"....I cut my 78 FE7 springs with a torch...distance from ground to center top of wheel well lip is 26.5"...did not go lower as I was running 255-60-15's then...
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 16,100
Likes: 17
Originally Posted by onaqwst
i just heard about using heat would make the spring lose some of the compresion/spring to it....... maybe i was wrong..... i just used a grinder and hammered the ends flat
b
b
Rich
