Cutting Springs

[barrieguy]

Does anyone here have first hand experience with cutting springs? What if any ill effects did you have?

[Toms-SC]

Don't be cheap dude. Just get some proper lowering springs.

[charged92]

Yeah, get the proper ones. Half the time when you remove the factory springs they are already "cut" anyway.:rolleyes:

[barrieguy]

Easy fellas, I'm the first one to spend money on things I need, I just don't like to spend it if it isn't necessary. I was just looking for some input from guys that have actually done it and have long term road tests.

[cmill95]

I've read alot about these aftermarket springs not being as stiff as our S/C springs also. if you were to cut maybe 1 coil on the front and 3/4s of one on the rear wouldn't it be better than getting a sloppier spring with more drop than wanted?

[ricardoa1]

Easy fellas, I'm the first one to spend money on things I need, I just don't like to spend it if it isn't necessary. I was just looking for some input from guys that have actually done it and have long term road tests.


Cutting springs requires a stiffer shock, so unless you are going for some nice set of shocks it ride will be harsh. One coil off stock ones is not bad if you keep the ARC on firm all the time.

[5speedxr7]

I cut the springs on my first car way back in high school. didnt have the money to buy the lowering kit.
looking back i would never do it again.
I cut one coil off. but the problem comes from the excces heat. it screws up the spring rate of the coils they were way too sloppy. the car ended up being too low. and i ended up taking the oil pan out on a rock or something.
in the end it would have been cheaper to put the kit on.

so from my experience I wouldnt recomend it. but i have heard of guys doing it and never having a problem.

[seawalkersee]

Yep...sure do. Been a few years now and I would absolutely do it again. I would go 1 coil on the back and 1.25 or 1.5 on the front. Here is the link.

http://www.sccoa.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46769&page=3&highlight=cutting+springs

As for being cheap, so what. I get the stiffer (in a good way) ride and it handles better. I like the feeling of the drive and did not have to spend any money. Not to mention, it is not harsh and the ride did not wear out. Mind you, it does look funny after you get it back together until you get a few miles on it. It actually looked higher. After driving it you will not be sorry.

The only thing I will warn you about is the alignment. I only took one coil off of the front and rear. With my subs in the trunk, the front sits like 1/16" higher in the front. Not even noticable, but I measured it and think I need to go back in (one of these years) and cut another .25 coil off of the front. With my alignment, the struts are at the maximum amount they can be moved. I guess, I could cut the top mounts with a die grinder and move them inward and make it better, but they are JUST within spec. You will like it.

Chris

[Toms-SC]

How does cutting a spring make it stiffer?

[MadMikeyL]

The same load now has to be supported by fewer coils. That means each coil now is under more compression than it was before, so it takes more force than it did before to move the body of the car the same distance.

[HoseHead]

Heating a spring to cut it will alter the metal's characteristics - I suggest weakening it.
As indicated, alignment issues could be a problem, especially after investing $1K plus on shoes.
Safety - The chances of a spring breaking would increase if they are cut - Ford paid those engineers big money for the factory design. Eibach and others did the same.
For $450, a brand new set of Eibachs provides reliability, proper results and for me, peace of mind. Busting a modified spring in the middle of a road trip is not fun. Then you'd have to find a pair and that in itself could be a challenge.

Bruce

[MadMikeyL]

Heating a spring will change its characteristics, but if you don't cut it with a torch, you will be fine. Use a cut-off wheel and you won't create a risk of the spring breaking. As for the engineering comment, ford and eibach engineers have NVH concerns to deal with. If all you care about is a better stance and improved handling, save your money and cut your springs. The ride with cut SC springs is VERY stiff, but the car will corner like you won't believe, far better than with eibachs on there.

[cmill95]

pardon my ignorance on this acronym, but what exactly is "NVH"?

[fast Ed]

NVH = Noise, Vibration, Harshness ... sort of like what you get from a lot of women. :p

[charged92]

NVH = Noise, Vibration, Harshness ... sort of like what you get from a lot of women. :p

Yikes! :eek:

[seawalkersee]

Look...Im not trying to start an arguement, but if you have already crappy springs, get a lower milage set. You will not convince me that cutting them will make the spring sooo weak that it will just crack/break whenever I am on a road trip (says the guy who has been on many since the car had been lowered by cutting the springs). The handling will increase and you will like the increased stiffness of the ride....and the lower cost of the mod.

Chris

[barrieguy]

I may or may not cut the springs, I'm not sure yet but if I were to do so I would use a portable bandsaw to do the cutting, which makes 0 heat. This means that the metal would not be changed in any way other than it getting smaller, and I don't mind the firmer ride, this will be a summer weekend car anyway.

[cmill95]

hell, just use a sawzall. mark your spring with a piece of tape or something and put a pair of vice grips on the other side of the tape to locate the blade against(side against side) and cut! after your done deburr with a bastard file and yer-done.

[coolhand]

FOUND THESE..........
http://www.sccoa.com/forums/showthread.php?t=97158

Matt

[ricardoa1]

FOUND THESE..........
http://www.sccoa.com/forums/showthread.php?t=97158

Matt

I just took my set of these off. Nice springs, stiff and responsive, but anything other then Konis is not good for them.

[seawalkersee]

You will have to use a cutting disc. You will burn through an unknown amount of blades. The springs are tempered/hardened and that will eat all of your blades. Also, if you cut through the springs half way, the springs will be hot to the touch, but there will be no side affects.

Chris