coil spring cutting

[bullittandy]

If anything, you'll usually want to cut springs from the top down actually...

Why?

[bullittandy]

And this was the bottome coil correct? Is this what you plan for the rears as well?

Yes exactly one coil off the bottom, and the rears will be the same although I haven't investigated the differences front and rear.

[Q_SHIP]

If anything, you'll usually want to cut springs from the top down actually...

Could you please explain? Waiting to learn here.

[one ton garage]

If you take a look at your assembled struts (and those on most cars), you'll notice that the top coils are usually already bound together...that is they're already in a fully compressed state, so in most cases, removing them won't really make a drastic change in ride quality and spring rate, while still lowering the car. Also, even when you cut past those "dead coils," the affect on ride quality isn't as pronounced, as the tighter top coils of most profressively-wound springs don't come into play until the softer part of the spring is already compressed.. i.e. under very hard driving/spring compression. Thus, for the majority of your driving where you're just moseying along, those top coils won't really matter that much

[Q_SHIP]

If you take a look at your assembled struts (and those on most cars), you'll notice that the top coils are usually already bound together...that is they're already in a fully compressed state, so in most cases, removing them won't really make a drastic change in ride quality and spring rate, while still lowering the car. Also, even when you cut past those "dead coils," the affect on ride quality isn't as pronounced, as the tighter top coils of most profressively-wound springs don't come into play until the softer part of the spring is already compressed.. i.e. under very hard driving/spring compression. Thus, for the majority of your driving where you're just moseying along, those top coils won't really matter that much

Great explenation, thank you.

Let me ask you this, how many coils should be cut to get around an inch?

[StrangeLove]

I'm interested as well. 2" drop on cut springs and new struts...

[Q_SHIP]

I'm interested as well. 2" drop on cut springs and new struts...

I'll be selling my 2" drop Teins very soon if you are intrested.

[Q_SHIP]

Great explenation, thank you.

Let me ask you this, how many coils should be cut to get around an inch?

???????

[bullittandy]

???????

Turns out that the tops of a Y33 springs are not fully compressed. However, on cars where the coils are compressed the previous explanation of where to cut makes alot of sense.

The bottom seems to be the one to cut, I've attached a picture of the top of the springs installed on the car.

[bullittandy]

Great explenation, thank you.

Let me ask you this, how many coils should be cut to get around an inch?

See attached picture of a stock UNCUT spring. One bottom coil equals about 1" drop.

The only potential side effect of cutting is that the spring will not sit "evenly" on the bottom spring perch. If you look at the picture you'll notice that the curve of the bottom coil "flattens" so that the spring will contact the entire spring perch when installed. On my car (with cut springs) about 75% of the bottom coil is on contact with the bottom spring perch and the other 25% arches up and does not rest on the spring perch.I suspect that this increases the force exerted on the spring perch but this has not been an issue yet.

[Q_SHIP]

Guess im just gonna wing it. Im jus confused on cutting the top or bottom considering there are views on both.

[one ton garage]

Was that pic of the strut in car with the car on the ground or jacked up a bit in order to take the pic...? But oh yeah, the flat is another good reason to cut the top coils vs. the bottom ones. Though it's not the only reason, as some cars have flat ground coils on the top only, and some on both top and bottom. It all depends on the car... but it's definitely easier to reseat a spring when you cut the non-flat end as the original perch should still fit... but either way you go, it's not like the car will blow up, so I'd personally say go with whatever is easier for you, and then just learn as you go. If you run into problems down the road, then you'll know to do things differently. Replacement OEM springs should be easy enough to come across with the number of people modding the cars nowadays... and more each day...

[captainluigi]

can you cut the spring with a cut offf wheel? if so cut it flat as possibe and touch up with a die grinder.

[bullittandy]

Guess im just gonna wing it. Im jus confused on cutting the top or bottom considering there are views on both.

I think the bottom coil is the one to cut. If you'll notice the picture of the stock spring you'll see that the top coil is very flat and when installed rests in a rubber spring seat. If the top coil is cut then the spring will sit unevenly in the rubber seat and I'm confident will tear through it eventually.

In contrast the bottom coil rests on the metal spring perch of the strut and the spring perch is going to be a more stable platform for cut coil spring.

Also remember that I cut the bottom coils on the front of my car and its been 15,000 miles with no issues.

[bullittandy]

can you cut the spring with a cut offf wheel? if so cut it flat as possibe and touch up with a die grinder.

Yes, I used a metal cutting blade in my skil saw. I also flattened the cut end slightly with my grinder so that the spring would sit flatter in the perch.

[davistation]

Hey bullitandy I live in Atlanta area and need my stock springs cut on my 97 Q can you help me out?

[thejapino]

Hey bullitandy I live in Atlanta area and need my stock springs cut on my 97 Q can you help me out?

Hey, not speaking for bullitandy but this thread is more than 2-YEARS-OLD. Don't get all butthurt if you don't get a prompt response.

[93240sxowner]

i have always lowered all my cars by cutting my springs and have never had a problem.just don't go too crazy. i always cut like 2 or 3 rings off and never had problems.

[trajanH]

Nice to see this thread come up again. I would like to buy some already cut springs for my 97q45. I want to lower it 1 inch and get the ride that bullitandy has experienced.

[bullittandy]

Buy mine! I changed them out again when my wife started driving the car-she told me that it had to be "stock." Email coming.

[seldomseen]

Cutting springs is silly and unsafe. Do it right and just purchase aftermarket lowering springs and mate them with aftermarket shocks designed to work with lowering springs if your budget allows for it.

[carfrk666]

F@!% it, cut it, cutting springs is done at everyone own risk, the only risk there is would be that the shocks wear out faster, its not safe as long as proper spring removal and installation procedures are taken, and thats a risk that happens even with professional springs. everyone is aware that some people think its a bad idea, no purpose in continuing to say this