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cut stock springs to lower car?

44K views 25 replies 20 participants last post by  ztfocus  
#1 ·
hey guys - is it a bad idea to just use the stock springs and physically cut them to make them shorter to lower the car. If so how much should i cut off?
Ross
 
#4 ·
i cut 2 coils off mine dropped it 3 inches and have no problems except speedbumps but i took it to a suspension shopo and the7y said it looked fine so i dont see the problem as long as you dont make it a permanent setup
 
#6 ·
Well if you dropped it 3" one of your problems is going to be suspension travel on compression. Do you have any left? The other is that it doesn't take much cutting before the spring rate gets really high. Especially if you are driving in constant contact with the jounce bumpers.

However, in the post above at least Rob was experiencing difficulties merely from a FITMENT standpoint... w/o the last flattened out coil the angle was pretty steep to seat properly. A slight drop and mild spring rate increase was able to be achieved... just not the fitment. Anyway, you can read the thread for details.
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[ 03-31-2002: Message edited by: Ducman69 ]</p>
 
#7 ·
In my opinion it isn't worth it. But then again I don't think getting just lowering springs is worth it either. With only springs the strut doesn't know the spring is shorter or at a different rate. When you hit a bump the strut will still try to open all the way as if the stock spring is still there. When to car comes down the spring might not be sitting straight. But I would definitly get just springs over cutting the stock ones. But with the intention of changing the front struts and reqar shocks eventually.
 
#8 ·
has anyone heard of buying small clamps and putting them on your car. I did this on my eclipse and it lowered it 1.2 inches. they sell them at an autoparts store for $6.00 wheel. They are clamps that you squeeze your stock spring together and bolt it in place.It was inexpensive, and easy to do. has anyone tried this???
 
#10 ·
I installed spring clamps on my rear springs last summer and removed them when I put my snows on. The car felt great but the unit would not stay square when clamped on the spring - once tightened, the bolts rubbed against the coil. I have not decided whether to reinstall them or cut a coil (or less) from the rear spring top. I have not messed with the fronts.

Tio Barry
 
#14 ·
Ducman69--That thread from P-51, he states that he couldn't get it to work. I have been riding on CUT stock springs, for a year now!!

They are only cut about 1.5 coils. loweres the car 1.5 inches. This is perfect, not super low to screw up anything. I had the Sportlines on before, and those SUCKED THE BIG ONE!!! WAY too soft!

The problem with cutting is, you can't just cut EXACTLY 1, 2 or 3 coils, since after the fact, they will not line up, that is why I had to cut approx. 1.5 coils.

When I was taking Sportlines out to ship them, I used them as kind of a guideline or template, I lined up the bottom, then cut the top at the same spot where the Sportline finshed.

This worked perfectly. I had tried prior to that to just cut 1 full coil, but that didn't work, the spring did not seat in the shock right!
 
#16 ·
Cutting springs borders on lunacy in this day and age.

With folks like Eibach and chassis tuners equal to engine tuners there are tons of ways to slam the grocery getter and still have a super ride and not have to see the chiropractor.

Take a look at our Grand Am Cup Focus at www.nostalgia-classic.com or give us a ring we will put you onto the right goodies.

If you really want to slam the scooter then you need to do the arithmetic, get the right stuff and cruise into the sunset. Torchen and cutten went out with the dixie peach hair parmade
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#17 ·
How did you guys cut your front springs and make them fit right? do you cut a coil of the top or bottom? I have progress 1.8s, the back didnt sit low enough so i cut a coil off and they fit fine but i tried to cut my stock front springs and they wouldn't fit right.
 
#18 ·
Your Focus page has a funny typo to correct.
Backround??
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Sounds like a link to a Rap Video...
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The car looks sweet, and I'm sure your BACKGROUND is all good...
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#19 ·
I just sold a set of springs for my old car to a guy who had cut his springs way too far and caused a lot of expensive damage to his car because of it. Just seems too dangerous to me, especially if you're even remotely considering buying springs any time in the future.
Matched systems are the easy way to go!
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I have KW V1's in my closet. They should be seeing some action soon, just been too busy to get them in, maybe this weekend though

[ 04-07-2002: Message edited by: FireStarter24 ]</p>
 
#20 ·
Suspension tuning is a fine art, almost a "black art" today. As you know, Ford has done a remarkable job in balancing ride vs. handling with the ZX3. If you decide to lower it, use progressive type springs as they will absorb small bumps and irregularities in the road, and then progressively stiffen-up when cornering loads increase. If you lower your ride by 1/5 to 2 inches, you will increase harshness in the suspension as the spring rate is ultimately higher vs. the stock spring. The stock shocks should be able to work just fine with the above drop and as always, have a 4 wheel alignment done after install. Check out BAT as they have 2" drop, progressive type springs.

Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!
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#22 ·
i ended up cutting my back eibachs to even my lowering from front to back, and we cut springs on my friends subaru 2.5 but i don't recommend it for a permenent drop. I only had to cut one coil off of my springs to fix my problem, but starting with springs that are almost 2 inches taller and just like the others say...could get hairy...especially because the gap in the coils you don't have much choice in the height, a little or a lot of drop. Buy some springs.
 
#25 ·
Well, dredging up an 8+ year old post generally isn't a good idea...

First off, DON'T cut your springs. If you think you want to do it - STOP.

Don't add clamps to your springs. They overly stress the spring and may cause it to fail. In some places they're illegal.

Just get some aftermarket lowering springs, and new shocks/struts when you do. Spend the money and do it right.