Cutting springs

[Steve]

What is it thats so bad about it? im only thinking one coil off my front springs as they're courtenay ones and are supposed to be a 25mm drop. And can't afford to get custom ones made up.

[Jack]

Springs are cast as a complete item, lop the end off and not only do you weaken the spring and compromise its integrity, you also affect its rebound and "springiness".

[Southie]

Have a read of this it may help you. CLICKY (http://craig.backfire.ca/pages/autos/cutting-springs)

[Steve]

Cheers guys, I figured it was something along those lines. Gonna have to wait till ive got the money to do it properly. :thumb:

[Graeme]

How low do you want it to be? Are the Courtney ones a higher poundage for the big block motor?

[Steve]

Just want about a 40mm drop for the front, then get some 60mm for the back. Courtenay springs are custom made for the 2.0 conversions but they're just not low enough. I did think that cutting a coil may weaken them as they designed to be a certain strength, but didnt think about the top coil not sitting level on the platform.

Cheers for the link NBC :thumb: +rep if I can.

I enquired to coilsprings.co.uk about what they thought would be ideal for mine and they reckon 175lbs would be fine for a road car. Everyone else says 300lb springs for track cars but I asked them and they thought they would be too harsh for road use.

[Jack]

I've still got the front struts from my old XE setup - Koni adjustable dampers and PVD XE-weight springs. Dropped it down about 40mm and handled well. Available for sale... :d

[Steve]

I think I spoke to you about these before jack, just need front springs though, if you wanna sell them seperately pm me :thumb:

[Nobby]

haha the rear ones im putting on my new astra derv are getting chopped!!

[Sloth]

sorry but cutting springs is fine, both legally and technically, and doesnt damage the spring. the fear is getting too much heat into them, as it de-tensions them, so they dont spring. if you cut a coil, remember to grind the edge flat again, and youll be fine.

[Spudly]

sorry but cutting springs is fine, both legally and technically, and doesnt damage the spring. the fear is getting too much heat into them, as it de-tensions them, so they dont spring. if you cut a coil, remember to grind the edge flat again, and youll be fine.



Try getting chopped springs past either a mot tester, a copper, or even vosa for that matterlol

[Sloth]

i have done at various places. and why would a reputable magazine cover a how to on it if it was illegal? (ppc) :p

[Mark Sparks]

Im a mot tester and they would fail as they are incomplete. but i have done this in the past and had no probs ive also heated and compressed and had no probs. it cost nothing and works. I have recently cut my fk coil over springs on the front 3 coils and still no probs not even bottoming out.

[Steve]

Hmm. should I or shouldnt I?? lol Nah im gonna wait and get custom springs.

[General Baxter]

my rears ones passed, they even fell out and hit him on the head lol

[mowgli]

i have done at various places. and why would a reputable magazine cover a how to on it if it was illegal? (ppc) :p

since when has that lot been regarded as reputable?????????????

they are a motley collection of ex practical classics journos & their mates who appear to have a cowshed as their office.........

I remember when the editor fitted his v8 to the yellow capri (in PC mag) and got letters for months about his almighty bodgery.......

[Stanley]

I bought a Golf that had lowering springs fitted, but one had snapped.

I bought two new (2nd hand) rear springs, lopped two coils off each, flattened the ends and fitted them.

Passed MOT no bother at all.

Do it, but use common sense. (unless your common sense tells you not to do it in the first place of course:wtf:)

[Ernie]

Everyone else says 300lb springs for track cars but I asked them and they thought they would be too harsh for road use.

ouch
yes they are...

[dj_wudgey]

id always go for the safer option and wait untill you can afford it!! my mate cut his springs on his escort and it was horrible the ride and handling was compramised quite badly!!

[16v Nova Kev]

its a bit of a tricky one this but i fitted cossie front springs to my xe track car they fitted fine i cut 1 or maybe 2 coils of them. the pig tail fits the top mount and the bottom fits the shock cup perfect. handles good and drives good imo

[Christ]

right I want to do this to my sierra. As it resembles a monster truck at the moment. How much should I cut off to get a 40mm drop? 40mm??! or is it trial and error? cheers.

[Leeboo]

You might have to cut quite a few coils off to get 40mm, try 2 or 3 coils first and see, then if not low enough, back to the grinder!

Cut springs are for off road use only though ;) .

[Jon_nova1]

With regards to the link earlier in the topic, springs arn't usually flat on the top and bottom, but the dampers are usually moulded to the curve of the spring