View Full Version : chopped springs...
was out last night and there wer a few corsa's on chopped springs, but they looked the business..there wer even a few with no springs in aswell! lol
ive chopped springs in the past on my mk4 escorts, but how do people actually do it on vauxhall novas/corsas (only the rear)
only want to know how people do the rear springs...
ive got spax coilovers at the moment, i can take the front down to 80mm but the back is fixed at 60mm, i dont want to chop the spax 60mms, just want to try with the standard springs i took out...
i would like some 90mm springs but theres some on ebay now for over £100!! n i aint paying that!
Step 1. Angle grind a few coils off the spring.
Step 2. Fall off the road
Pretty simple really.
NOVA_LEE
22-04-08, 12:24 PM
chopped springs = death or very bouncy lol
i know its bouncy, but atleast it aint the fronts that are going to be chopped...
like ive said ive done it before on my mk4 escorts, and ive gave them death end they have never "fell out" or nothing, just been abit bouncy....
theres obviously people on here that have had chopped springs on there cars, but all i want to know is how they do it (as the rears are a different design)...
i know people who have no springs in the back..but dont realy fancy that....at all!
heres a couple of my old mk4 escorts...both on chopped springs...
http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/149/mk4017cj0.jpg
http://img130.imageshack.us/img130/4779/jayscar023fl6al1.jpg
and the one above had a 151bhp efi turbo engine..
wasnt no problems at all....
People go around mugging old people too. Doesnt mean its right just because other idiots have done it you know ;)
Seriously, its a very bad Idea. Do it properly, or dont do it at all.
cant you shrink springs? heard some lad say it last night..
id like some 90mm springs tho but theres just to expensive for just the rear springs...
some chap on ebay is selling some 100mm springs and wants £125, and said hes sold 2 sets in the past, one for £155 and the other for £165...
when brand new at v sport there about £90...
www.coilsprings.co.uk (http://www.coilsprings.co.uk)
just rang..an i need to ring back about 3 for a quote on some springs...
v sport do them i think...il just have a browse on google..
there wer even a few with no springs in aswell!
WTF. Way to wreck the dampers. If cars handled just as good without springs at all, do you really think the manufacturer would bother putting them in?
The reason they're expensive is because (usually) to make them properly, springs are re-wound and re-formed to be shorter and retain their strength and compression characteristics, which is a time consuming and relatively expensive process. Not just lopped in half with an angle grinder :roll:
Incidentally, there was an incident round these parts not so long ago when a Rover (I think) came round a corner and the rear springs fell out. Car goes sideways into oncoming traffic and is chopped in half. Turned out the springs had been DIY cut.
Moral of the story, if you can't afford to do it properly, don't do it.
craig green
22-04-08, 01:29 PM
Dont bother!
If you want a street scraper, buy a Citroen BX!
or if you do, do it. dont drive near me lol
you could "possibly" chop the front springs for a nova, but definately NOT the rears.
paul james
22-04-08, 02:09 PM
A totally stupid idea, have you even looked at the suspension on the back?, stick your head under the car and see for yourself. If the springs are too short they will just fall out. They are only held in place because they are significantly taller than the space they occupy.
blue_peg_16v
22-04-08, 02:20 PM
definatly dont cut the springs unless you have good bupa cover
NovaLad
22-04-08, 04:24 PM
A totally stupid idea, have you even looked at the suspension on the back?, stick your head under the car and see for yourself. If the springs are too short they will just fall out. They are only held in place because they are significantly taller than the space they occupy.
So true lol
dhdev (Oli)
22-04-08, 04:49 PM
A totally stupid idea, have you even looked at the suspension on the back?, stick your head under the car and see for yourself. If the springs are too short they will just fall out. They are only held in place because they are significantly taller than the space they occupy.
Cable ties :confused:
A totally stupid idea, have you even looked at the suspension on the back?, stick your head under the car and see for yourself. If the springs are too short they will just fall out. They are only held in place because they are significantly taller than the space they occupy.
so basically everyone with 80mm spring's is stupid too then, as they are too small for the space lol
Even 60mm springs are loose at the rear when jacked up. (Gmax/standard shocks).
Take people's advice and don't cut the springs - its a cheap way out, and in some cases can put other road users at risk (sorry to sound like a driving theory test revision book). lol
Drastically chopped rear springs = significantly reduced rear grip, times this by the west midlands dodgy roads, subract this from your already demished rear grip, add increased loss of rear rigidy eqauls sideways in a non "get your @rse out" fashion. Divided the above by pie times 7 and it should result in death by lampost to the head via your drivers door window.
Hopefully, once the above happens it should knock some sense into you and educate you on how to alter suspension systems.
so basically everyone with 80mm spring's is stupid too then, as they are too small for the space lol
Anything over 50mm on the back needs shorter dampers IMO, that way the car sits on the springs properly.
Anything over 50mm on the back needs shorter dampers IMO, that way the car sits on the springs properly.
i'm talking about 80mm with shorter damper.... :thumb:
The fact the springs will fall out isnt the issue. Its the fact that chopping the spring completely ruins the spring rate. Springs are made in such a way where the ends of the spring are normally softer to take the small bumps, where the middle has larger coils to deal with larger bumps. Take one end away and you mess up the way it works completely, normally rendering the handling unpredictable, more often than not, dangerously unpredictable.
This is basic 'modifying 101' stuff. Much like fitting the 'ebay chip' or fixing holes in the structural parts of your chassis with gripfill. Its just something you dont do unless your completely retarded :)
smcgsi16v
22-04-08, 06:00 PM
Don't be such a tight ar5e and do the job properly.
I run 90mm springs on the rear with no problems at all, no springs falling out,etc etc.
And VSport get their springs from www.coilsprings.co.uk (http://www.coilsprings.co.uk) anyway.
ste porter
22-04-08, 07:14 PM
burgo has some low ones lol
my old show springs i had for shows they were 80s but been warmed up and shrunk to well the max realy there what was on the rear of his saloon at pv last year some may remember us fitting them lol
Don't be such a tight ar5e and do the job properly.
I run 90mm springs on the rear with no problems at all, no springs falling out,etc etc.
And VSport get their springs from www.coilsprings.co.uk (http://www.coilsprings.co.uk) anyway.
What rear dampers do you have?
Ive fitted some 80/90mm springs, with AVO rear dampers, and the springs are pretty much removeable if the cars fully jacked up lol
that's the same with my Spax RSX rears too Ad
smcgsi16v
22-04-08, 07:32 PM
Mine hold in ok, and hve never fallen out yet. I have Apex rear shocks.
Mine hold in ok, and hve never fallen out yet. I have Apex rear shocks.
Adam mean's if it's jacked up, can they be removed without undoing bottom nut on shocker...
mine are fine when lowered, never fell out either etc etc
Aye, they'll never fall out with the cars weight on them.
But i can now change springs without undoing the damper lol
scott.parker
22-04-08, 08:23 PM
Hang on do i know you? is this Simon who use to work at AMS??
If not though ive seen your old green turbo getting ragged something silly round here in Stratford on avon.. lol
Scott
I used old seatbelts as travel retarders (basically stopping the springs from falling out)
i've run chopped springs and never had any problems! just the worry of them falling out whilst flying!
someone dropped a rst lump in this ..... but used a broom handel for a roll cage?
http://img130.imageshack.us/img130/4779/jayscar023fl6al1.jpg
i sold it to some lad up that way yer..
Just read through this thread and im amazed that some folk still consider cutting springs. Simple answer - dont do it, its dangerous.
Also for the people that you have mentioned who drive without rear springs, then HELL MEND THEM!
FUSION X16XE
22-04-08, 11:20 PM
haha that coilsprings site is pretty funny
* If your Beemer 3 - Series has 500 kg of ice in the back and you still want a 60mm chop - We is the Main Man!
* If your Corsa rolls like a jelly when your doing donuts in Tesco’s car park - steal a mobile and phone us first
and defo dont cut your springs you foolish boy
[quote=sr_boi]
http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/149/mk4017cj0.jpg
quote]
That looks cool as fu*k :thumb:
hahahaha how many of you saying its dangerous have actually had car with chopped springs?
Dont take advice off someone who hasnt got the personal experience, ive never had a car with nitrous fitted, would anyone one take advice from me on that subject? - hell no
Anyway, i always said i`d never chop springs, because of the "my best mates sisters boyfriend`s dad heard in a pub one day that someones mate did it and said its bad, very bad - brigade", BUT when i realised that my rears on the coiliover kit i bought wouldnt go low enough for my liking i chopped about an inch off, never had any probs.
The ride is sh*te, but no more ****e than a car thats on the lowest setting on coilies anyway (what i like)
They dont fall out either when i jack the car up, i have to give them a pull
I wouldnt chop more off though, just incase they do fall out, i`m just going to save for my wallet raping for a decent set of coilies
If you dont get chop happy to the extreme then FROM EXPERIENCE theres nout wrong with it. Just get some better/shorter shocks
Some people really are stupid.
A spring isn't a twiddly shape that someone thought up of whilst down the pub.
It's designed to work like it should, cutting several coils of drastically impares it's ability to work like it was original designed to.
I don't actually have such a problem with it BUT with people like coilsprings.co.uk about its easy to chop a set to the length you want and when you have worked out the exact length and poundage you need just get them to make you a set (considering how little they are)
For example I have a way of using rear coilover springs in place of the OE springs, to get the desired ride height you HAVE to chop them and I have never heard of anyone having a problem doing it (rallying, gravel and tarmac)
Each to their own I suppose but from a safety aspect there isn't a problem and what one user said about the typical pub comment is indeed very true, name me 1 person that has done it and had crashed because of it ?
WTF. Way to wreck the dampers.
And bust your brake lines, bent your rear beam, dent your rear chassis etc etc etc....
Some people really are stupid.
A spring isn't a twiddly shape that someone thought up of whilst down the pub.
It's designed to work like it should, cutting several coils of drastically impares it's ability to work like it was original designed to.
Couldnt have said it better myself.
At the end of the day its your own car so feel free to do what you want but if your asking for advice, you'll certainly get it on here. Whether or not you agree with it is a different matter. As for me ive never cut any springs before and wouldnt consider it because you dont see major successful motor sport teams doing so. And on that note, thats who i take my advice from.
good luck!
hahahaha how many of you saying its dangerous have actually had car with chopped springs?
Dont take advice off someone who hasnt got the personal experience, ive never had a car with nitrous fitted, would anyone one take advice from me on that subject? - hell no
Anyway, i always said i`d never chop springs, because of the "my best mates sisters boyfriend`s dad heard in a pub one day that someones mate did it and said its bad, very bad - brigade", BUT when i realised that my rears on the coiliover kit i bought wouldnt go low enough for my liking i chopped about an inch off, never had any probs.
The ride is sh*te, but no more ****e than a car thats on the lowest setting on coilies anyway (what i like)
They dont fall out either when i jack the car up, i have to give them a pull
I wouldnt chop more off though, just incase they do fall out, i`m just going to save for my wallet raping for a decent set of coilies
If you dont get chop happy to the extreme then FROM EXPERIENCE theres nout wrong with it. Just get some better/shorter shocks
He's right, none of us have a clue what we're talking about. Its actually a great idea :) Get the grinder out!
Im off outside to make my car sound louder by drilling holes in the silencer box :thumb:
I don't actually have such a problem with it BUT with people like coilsprings.co.uk about its easy to chop a set to the length you want and when you have worked out the exact length and poundage you need just get them to make you a set (considering how little they are)
For example I have a way of using rear coilover springs in place of the OE springs, to get the desired ride height you HAVE to chop them and I have never heard of anyone having a problem doing it (rallying, gravel and tarmac)
Each to their own I suppose but from a safety aspect there isn't a problem and what one user said about the typical pub comment is indeed very true, name me 1 person that has done it and had crashed because of it ?
Chopping a coilover isnt as much of a problem, as the spring rate is the same all the way down. Its a totally different kettle of fish to slicing into a spring with progressive spring rates.
Im off outside to make my car sound louder by drilling holes in the silencer box :thumb:
They actually do that round where i live :thumb:
smcgsi16v
23-04-08, 10:08 PM
Adam mean's if it's jacked up, can they be removed without undoing bottom nut on shocker...
mine are fine when lowered, never fell out either etc etc
No.
http://www.sadman64.net/images/rofl.png
Know what, do it and see how you get on. I've driven Night Navagition cars with broken springs and its not nice to drive, at any speed. Dont do it, you'll get a second hand set of springs for 50 squid
meritlover
24-04-08, 11:16 AM
was out last night and there wer a few corsa's on chopped springs, but they looked the business..there wer even a few with no springs in aswell! lol
ive chopped springs in the past on my mk4 escorts, but how do people actually do it on vauxhall novas/corsas (only the rear)
only want to know how people do the rear springs...
ive got spax coilovers at the moment, i can take the front down to 80mm but the back is fixed at 60mm, i dont want to chop the spax 60mms, just want to try with the standard springs i took out...
i would like some 90mm springs but theres some on ebay now for over £100!! n i aint paying that!
this thread is very funny indeed. i was selling a pair a while back. is this what you are looking for?
http://www.pngclub.com/forum/showthread.php?t=92253
i wanted to go abit lower than that tbh
meritlover
24-04-08, 11:34 AM
Mr sr_boi,
you must use your imagineation. you could grind off the strut-tops and extend them upwards to give a lower look. then you would have to modify the chassis leg at the back to do let the rears sit lower.
you could remove the dampers altogether and jam in a piece of wood, but the wood would have to be carved so that it was wedged in tight and make the handling really bad. ray mears is good at shaping twigs in this way with only a simple knife that he made from an old bycicle wheel. make sure you select a branch that is springy as if it is hard like oak then it will be a rough ride. try pine!
or if you want to get technical you could weld some 12mm screwed rod onto the hub and up into the strut tops where you could fit a big washer. you then use the nuts on the rod to give yourself almost infinite adjustment of the ride height.
do not listen to the haters, springs and damper assemblies serve no purpose and were only developed with huge budgets by all major car manufacturers because americans didnt like their CDs skipping when they went over potholes.
its all a conspiracy so than Spax, boge and other shock makers can afford to put clothes on their childerens backs.
let me know how you get on. i will require pics
http://icanhascheezburger.files.wordpress.com/2007/03/roflhamster1.jpg
Mr sr_boi,
you must use your imagineation. you could grind off the strut-tops and extend them upwards to give a lower look. then you would have to modify the chassis leg at the back to do let the rears sit lower.
you could remove the dampers altogether and jam in a piece of wood, but the wood would have to be carved so that it was wedged in tight and make the handling really bad. ray mears is good at shaping twigs in this way with only a simple knife that he made from an old bycicle wheel. make sure you select a branch that is springy as if it is hard like oak then it will be a rough ride. try pine!
or if you want to get technical you could weld some 12mm screwed rod onto the hub and up into the strut tops where you could fit a big washer. you then use the nuts on the rod to give yourself almost infinite adjustment of the ride height.
do not listen to the haters, springs and damper assemblies serve no purpose and were only developed with huge budgets by all major car manufacturers because americans didnt like their CDs skipping when they went over potholes.
its all a conspiracy so than Spax, boge and other shock makers can afford to put clothes on their childerens backs.
let me know how you get on. i will require pics
Meritlover? Come to Ireland for a week mate, I wanna go on the beer with you!!
Mr sr_boi,
you must use your imagineation. you could grind off the strut-tops and extend them upwards to give a lower look. then you would have to modify the chassis leg at the back to do let the rears sit lower.
you could remove the dampers altogether and jam in a piece of wood, but the wood would have to be carved so that it was wedged in tight and make the handling really bad. ray mears is good at shaping twigs in this way with only a simple knife that he made from an old bycicle wheel. make sure you select a branch that is springy as if it is hard like oak then it will be a rough ride. try pine!
or if you want to get technical you could weld some 12mm screwed rod onto the hub and up into the strut tops where you could fit a big washer. you then use the nuts on the rod to give yourself almost infinite adjustment of the ride height.
do not listen to the haters, springs and damper assemblies serve no purpose and were only developed with huge budgets by all major car manufacturers because americans didnt like their CDs skipping when they went over potholes.
its all a conspiracy so than Spax, boge and other shock makers can afford to put clothes on their childerens backs.
let me know how you get on. i will require pics
you are the man! what a guy!
vallanc3
25-04-08, 11:59 AM
i cut the springs on my cavalier. both front and rear. it was terible to drive, bounced all over the road and didnt handle at all. altho the rear springs never fell out.
Philsutton
25-04-08, 12:26 PM
^^ thats just cavaliers in general though lol
^^ thats just cavaliers in general though lol
I beg to Differ Phil, but my Cav handles like a dream. :D
craig green
25-04-08, 02:20 PM
Cavs can handle well, though seeing as most are dropped on budget springs & bounce like rubber castle, its no wonder they have the reputation they do.
The modified car scene is flooded with absolute tosh. Its no wonder people settle for putting sh*t components on their cars. All this talk of 'just wanting it low' or 'its only temporary'. Buy once & buy right. Cars arent slammed for a reason, they dont handle, scrape on bumps & it isnt practical. Have a go in a pukka handling chassis & you will realise that it aint all about how low it goes.
I think cars that are too low look broken, not cool.
My Cav, 60mm on Koni Adjustables, GSI Front Anti Roll Bar and SRI Rear Beam. Sitting on 215 Wide 17s. Its all tight, firm and corners oh so well. HA!!
As for lowering a car too much, its not that big of a deal in Urban areas, its the country where they've affected most. I live in a Valley and so theres a lot of mountain roads. Lowering a car isnt practicle but once done its extremely benificial. Cut Springs, well, Horses for Co****s.
Try crossing this in your Cut Spring'd Escort!
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y92/Dods1/URLhttpimg464.jpg
Craigs going to hate me, I just slammed the 1.2 on its ass. Its now lower than your grans nips YO!
I dont have arch scrub now, I have arch grind lol
I dont have arch scrub now, I have arch grind lol
lol lol
mulletor
26-04-08, 01:12 AM
i have heated a few sets of rear springs in my time. and had a nova with no springs at all. it was awesome apart from getting a bad back as soon as i got in it.
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y92/Dods1/82329_Mr_T.jpg
CRAZY FOOL
bloody hell jay what is it with you and chopped springs ay?? my experience - chopped some on my old escort - worst car ive ever driven so bouncy and horrid never drive one after a full meal lol, my mate has took his rar springs put on his corsa and tbh looks wise its the nuts but foook it hurts when your in there but its just a matter of time before his struts just go snap!!!:D
big dee
26-04-08, 11:29 PM
i took the springs outta the back of my nova for the craic to see what it would be like - it didnt move the wheels just locked in the arches (mk2 astra gte wheels) also, i drove the mates mk2 xr2 fiesta with cut springs and it was horrible, handled good going in but tended to throw you the wrong way coming out of a corner - not fun... my nova atm has 60mm gmax springs all round, gmax front shocks but monroe black rears, so if theres any serious bumps in the road i take it handy incase they decide to go bye bye and i land with two locked wheels and over a hedge.
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