Cutting stock springs

[clean96GST]

Hey guys, I know cutting springs is "rice" and what not, but I can not stand my fender gap. How horrible would it be if I cut the stock spring down half an inch to an inch?

 

[blcknspo0ln]

Not only would it be silly and unsafe, you are DECREASING performance. If you hate your fender gap that much, save a paycheck and buy some real aftermarket lowering springs.

 

[Dsmj89]

Not only would it be silly and unsafe, you are DECREASING performance. If you hate your fender gap that much, save a paycheck and buy some real aftermarket lowering springs.

+1. Enough said...

 

[fwdmaster]

+3, save up for some springs or get them used

 

[stroked_AWD]

you can get a cheap set on ebay just look around.

 

[destruckeclipse]

If your desperate to lower fender gap, the cheapest springs run around $110. Of course you will need to fix your camber and get an alignment too. After you cut the springs and blow your shocks you will need to buy new shocks again as well as springs so why bother?

 

[turboglenn]

A word on doing this... contrary to "word on the streets" you can cut springs and not weaken or ruin them, you just have to do it properly.

By properly i mean you cannot bring the overall material temps much over 150 degrees without tuining the properties of the metal. At the shop where i sometimes work with the porche club cars and restoring vintage race and show cars, we've cut springs many time and had them last and never fail to this day from years ago and these are track cars that get pushed to the limits almost every weekend at 150+ mph (and some old show cars that aren't slouches either)

Anyway, the only proper way is to use a bandsaw, and you'll ruin a blade doing one set of springs so make sure to have a spare handy. then start cutting...the smartest thing to do is cut them at the angle like factory so they don't sit funny (that thin sideways slice at teh end) but the setup and technique for this is difficult to explain since i've gotta leave teh house in 5 minutes i'll leave it out for now

Anyway, cut on a band saw, make sure the blade and feed rate are SLOW the slowet you can set your machine to, then instead of coolant/oil mix, i like to use straight cutting fluid. Monitor the temperature of the spring, it should not exceed 200* more than a half inch from the cut for optimum results. I use a lser temp gauge to read , you can use a finger though, just touch it a 1/4 inch from the blade cutting area (turn saw off of course first) and if it feels a tad too warm, turn off the saw, do soemthing else for 15 minutes and come back to it.

So not use chop saws, cut-off wheels or any other version of abrasive cutting as this is what hets springs up ruining their grade and causing them to snap on the way home from work one day, I would never condone or perform that type of pring cutting unless it was fot a ball point pen clicky spring

 

[clean96GST]

If your desperate to lower fender gap, the cheapest springs run around $110. Of course you will need to fix your camber and get an alignment too. After you cut the springs and blow your shocks you will need to buy new shocks again as well as springs so why bother?

110$ isn't bad, what kind would you recommend? I probably will just wait and get some real ones, but it might be a while considering I'm in high school and it's impossible to find a job right now.

 

[Bud92gsx]

Only use a band saw..I see the reliable factor with that.. One thing I'd like to ask, what about a hack saw drawn across the spring at a slow pace using oil or cold water? That would be something you could do at home with possible good results..Then with the allignment done it could perhapps work..

I'm not condoning the use of cut off wheels either.

 

[blcknspo0ln]

A word on doing this... contrary to "word on the streets" you can cut springs and not weaken or ruin them, you just have to do it properly.

I guess you learn something new everyday. I suppose the key word is 'properly' in this context.

110$ isn't bad, what kind would you recommend? I probably will just wait and get some real ones, but it might be a while considering I'm in high school and it's impossible to find a job right now.

I worked at a cell phone cart (the ones in the middle of the mall) to support my damned DSM habit during highschool. You can do it too

 

[rEclipserGST]

I worked at a cell phone cart (the ones in the middle of the mall) to support my damned DSM habit during highschool. You can do it too

Do those stands actually make money? I've always wondered that. Seems like those stands products change like the weather in Ohio. Very often and eradic

 

[PIMking]

110$ isn't bad, what kind would you recommend? I probably will just wait and get some real ones, but it might be a while considering I'm in high school and it's impossible to find a job right now.

check some of the vendors. Extremepsi has a set of megan 2" drops for $110

 

[gregalmighty]

Cutting the springs isn't as bad as heating them up but it still is going to throw the spring rates off. And as said earlier your stock shocks won't last, you'll need to replace them after 30k if you're lucky. This will also shorten the life of the rest of your suspension parts. Do it right the first time and you won't have to worry about it down the road. Look for used springs if you're on a tight budget, shocks I would buy new though unless they come with a lifetime warranty from the manufacturer.

 

[clean96GST]

check some of the vendors. Extremepsi has a set of megan 2" drops for $110

How would stock shocks handle the 2" drop springs? Would it ride horrible?

 

[twicks69]

How would stock shocks handle the 2" drop springs? Would it ride horrible?

I would stay away from "slamming" your car, it will put much more potential for wear on your suspension parts.

There is also the potential of bottoming out your strut and blowing it from the extreme drop.

I would recommend a less agressive spring like an Intrax drop-in spring, or Eibach Pro Kit, or Tein springs for stock shock/strut applications.

 

[nfernotalon]

Mine are cut with a grinder and quite a bit too, it does ride pretty crappy but its not that bad, you can get the DME camber kit for the rear end for like 30bucks. They sell coilovers on ebay for like 50bucks f youre that desperate and it will ride better that cutting them.

 

[Bud92gsx]

Even cutting them a little bit will make the ride harsh as hell huh? I need to replace my struts here soon myself, So maybe I will take my time and cut my springs..I'm too broke and unemployed to shell out $110 for springs...

 

[fwdmaster]

Mine are cut with a grinder and quite a bit too, it does ride pretty crappy but its not that bad, you can get the DME camber kit for the rear end for like 30bucks. They sell coilovers on ebay for like 50bucks f youre that desperate and it will ride better that cutting them.

Great cutting skills nfernotalon, your ride height looks great

 

[z24frank]

Im getting the megans for 100.00 I think that is a fair price,even on a budget.

 

[PIMking]

How would stock shocks handle the 2" drop springs? Would it ride horrible?

They are not going on stock shocks.

be sure to cut the bump stops down.

My car isn't a DD mainly a weekend car when it's nice out.

 

[PIMking]

I would stay away from "slamming" your car, it will put much more potential for wear on your suspension parts.

There is also the potential of bottoming out your strut and blowing it from the extreme drop.

I would recommend a less agressive spring like an Intrax drop-in spring, or Eibach Pro Kit, or Tein springs for stock shock/strut applications.

Your right with most of your statement. Thats why your a wisemen.

But I got KYB shocks that I can hope will handle them.

I really didn't want to go 2" drop but the other springs were an extra $120 and I just cant afford it. It's not a DD so I think I can handle the ride. Hell I drive a dump truck for a living and I have no air ride, this will be a walk in the park.

 

[yangtech]

Im getting the megans for 100.00 I think that is a fair price,even on a budget.

Megan springs sucks. Cut springs probably fits better.

 

[PIMking]

Megan springs sucks. Cut springs probably fits better.

Your the first that has ever said that. But people are allowed to thier opinions.

 

[kottyking]

Megan springs sucks. Cut springs probably fits better.

Any 2" drop sucks on stock/ kyb sturts.

 

[PIMking]

I got my springs installed tuesday night and they fit fine. No problems what so ever.