Steps to cut stock springs?

CobraOnTheLoose · 03-07-2009, 05:55 PM

Just curious how you would go about cutting the stock springs? Cause a friend on the forums did it and the stance is amazing. How difficult would it be? Thanks

jt239 · 03-07-2009, 06:05 PM

Gotta do a search man, there are a ton of threads on it. Its not difficult to cut them.

homer302 · 03-07-2009, 06:11 PM

I am pretty sure there is not a single original question anywhere on this site at this point. Why don't we just close the Terminator thread and just let people search?

Everytime someone asks a question, people who have had them since 2003 just pile on to try to make them feel bad for asking. I say have a mod close this thread and put it to rest. So what if you just got yours in 2009? Too bad for you.

MVD · 03-07-2009, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CobraOnTheLoose

Just curious how you would go about cutting the stock springs? Cause a friend on the forums did it and the stance is amazing. How difficult would it be? Thanks

It is not difficult at all. Remove the springs you want to cut, trim them and reinstall.

If you know how to turn a wrench it's a 2-3 hour job tops.

CobraOnTheLoose · 03-07-2009, 07:41 PM

Thanks for the help mvd. Someone told me use a grinder. I just wanna cut 1 coil on each spring. I'm just hesitant on my ability cause its my dd and I don't wanna mess it up.

04sleeper · 03-07-2009, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CobraOnTheLoose

Thanks for the help mvd. Someone told me use a grinder. I just wanna cut 1 coil on each spring. I'm just hesitant on my ability cause its my dd and I don't wanna mess it up.

If it's a DD then I wouldn't go 1 coil. Try 5/8 - 3/4 coil first and see if you like it. Then cut more if you desire. Remember, you can always cut a little more off if you want, you can't add more though. (I would bet you leave it with less than 1 coil)

Also, be sure to drive around a while after you cut them to make sure they settle. (You don't want to cut more and have it settle too low)

I use an air cut off wheel to cut them.

Hope this helps.

cbr repsol · 03-07-2009, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 04sleeper

If it's a DD then I wouldn't go 1 coil. Try 5/8 - 3/4 coil first and see if you like it. Then cut more if you desire. Remember, you can always cut a little more off if you want, you can't add more though. (I would bet you leave it with less than 1 coil)

Also, be sure to drive around a while after you cut them to make sure they settle. (You don't want to cut more and have it settle too low)

I use an air cut off wheel to cut them.

Hope this helps.

Pics of your car please

SLOWBRA · 03-07-2009, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 04sleeper

If it's a DD then I wouldn't go 1 coil. Try 5/8 - 3/4 coil first and see if you like it. Then cut more if you desire. Remember, you can always cut a little more off if you want, you can't add more though. (I would bet you leave it with less than 1 coil)

Also, be sure to drive around a while after you cut them to make sure they settle. (You don't want to cut more and have it settle too low)

I use an air cut off wheel to cut them.

Hope this helps.

Kevin is absolutely correct. Start with 5/8 and drive on it for a couple of weeks and see if you like it. It will take the huge gap away. 1 coil may be too much for a DD. I cut 5/8 in the rear and 3/4 in the front and am very happy with the outcome.

cbr repsol · 03-07-2009, 08:48 PM

This thread is worthless without pics

04sleeper · 03-07-2009, 08:58 PM

Here is a car I did for example. 5/8 coil all the way around. (315's with 10.5's on the back)

CobraOnTheLoose · 03-07-2009, 09:22 PM

That looks good man. I think I'll go with 5/8 all the way around and see how that works out. Hopefully my shop teacher will let me use the shop. Lol

C1Sn8k · 03-07-2009, 09:33 PM

1 coil cut on the front, 3/4 coil rear with stock iso's installed. 10.5" rear wheels. used an angle grinder with a cut-off wheel

mustangtw · 03-07-2009, 10:37 PM

1 coil all the way around with stock iso's. I drive my car everyday, no rubbing or scraping here. You just have to remember you are driving a lowered vehicle so go slow over speed bumps and railroad tracks and take steep inclines at an angle. Also don't pull all the way up in parking lots with the cement block parking stops or raised curbs because you will hit.

cbr repsol · 03-07-2009, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 04sleeper

Here is a car I did for example. 5/8 coil all the way around. (315's with 10.5's on the back)

I think you hit it right on the nose, looks great in my opinion. How much is 5/8 of a coil spring. When I lowered my mercury I cut off 2 coils to get it where I wanted.

dubsaks69 · 03-07-2009, 11:45 PM

About how many inches do you think 5/8 will drop? Also does the front tires wear the inside out faster? I dont dont know but it seems like you would need control arms to keep the tires square with the road.

CobraOnTheLoose · 03-08-2009, 12:34 AM

I was discussing this with another friend later this evening and the subject of caster camber plates came up. Would I need to get a pair to keep the toe from getting out of line?

ReCoil · 03-08-2009, 05:36 AM

Save yourself some grief and go rent a good spring compressor and use it on all springs, unless you like wasting time.. And I would do a search and decide on how low you want to go, because trust me, you won't want to be taking the springs out again after you put them back in.. It's kind of a pain in the ass..

Just my $0.02 from last weekend when I cut mine..

ReCoil · 03-08-2009, 05:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CobraOnTheLoose

I was discussing this with another friend later this evening and the subject of caster camber plates came up. Would I need to get a pair to keep the toe from getting out of line?

Yes, you will need them. I was ignorant to this detail before I cut mine, and even if you only take 3/4 of a coil, you'll need them. I took 1 full coil out of my front springs and it reminds me of a pre-runner truck now there is so much negative camber.. Haha!

04sleeper · 03-08-2009, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbr repsol

I think you hit it right on the nose, looks great in my opinion. How much is 5/8 of a coil spring. When I lowered my mercury I cut off 2 coils to get it where I wanted.

Well, if you look at the picture I posted, that was 3/4 of a coil. 5/8 would be a little less.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dubsaks69

About how many inches do you think 5/8 will drop? Also does the front tires wear the inside out faster? I dont dont know but it seems like you would need control arms to keep the tires square with the road.

About 1 1/2 inches aprox. You may need Caster Camber Plates to get the car aligned. (I have seen a handful not need them, but most will)

Quote:

Originally Posted by CobraOnTheLoose

I was discussing this with another friend later this evening and the subject of caster camber plates came up. Would I need to get a pair to keep the toe from getting out of line?

See above post.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ReCoil

Save yourself some grief and go rent a good spring compressor and use it on all springs, unless you like wasting time.. And I would do a search and decide on how low you want to go, because trust me, you won't want to be taking the springs out again after you put them back in.. It's kind of a pain in the ass..

Just my $0.02 from last weekend when I cut mine..

I have done dozens upon dozens of sets of springs and I never once had to use a springs compressor. It is not needed at all.

If you needed a compressor to do your car then you must have missed a step.

mustangtw · 03-08-2009, 08:30 AM

Yea, I didn't use a spring compressor when I did mine. Also I didn't have to get it alligned either. No camber/caster plates here. Been about 3K miles since it was done it and tires seem to be wearing even and car is driving straight

CobraOnTheLoose · 03-08-2009, 08:52 AM

Thanks for all the help guys. Hopefully my car will be one of the few to not need caster camber plates.

SLOWBRA · 03-08-2009, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ReCoil

Save yourself some grief and go rent a good spring compressor and use it on all springs, unless you like wasting time.. And I would do a search and decide on how low you want to go, because trust me, you won't want to be taking the springs out again after you put them back in.. It's kind of a pain in the ass..

Just my $0.02 from last weekend when I cut mine..

You don't need a spring compressor. The springs are VERY easy to get out.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 04sleeper

I have done dozens upon dozens of sets of springs and I never once had to use a springs compressor. It is not needed at all.

If you needed a compressor to do your car then you must have missed a step.

I know.. I can have the springs out in no time. Front and Rears are a piece of cake if you follow the right steps.

To the OP.. You will notice a that one persons 5/8 of a coil doesn't equal another 5/8. Your best bet is to go with the minimum and adjust it again after driving for a while. Yea, it may not be fun to take the springs out over and over, but it doesn't take THAT long and you can get the ride height you want.

04sleeper · 03-08-2009, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLOWBRA98

To the OP.. You will notice a that one persons 5/8 of a coil doesn't equal another 5/8. Your best bet is to go with the minimum and adjust it again after driving for a while. Yea, it may not be fun to take the springs out over and over, but it doesn't take THAT long and you can get the ride height you want.

This is true.

It really depends on how old the springs are and how many miles they have on them.

CobraOnTheLoose · 03-08-2009, 03:14 PM

I have about 56k on my springs cause they havent been changed since the car was born.

3.slow turbo · 06-23-2009, 10:48 PM

how are the springs removed w/o a compressor?