cut the rear springs?
 

I just bought some monroe shocks, I know, crap, but i'm poor. I figure it might be possiable to cut a little bit off the stock rear springs to lower the rear slightly, or am i in dream land?

thanks, Matt

You can safely cut 1/2 to 1 coil off the rear coils. You should also cut the rubber bump stops so you won't bottom out easily.

it's not reccomended, but whatever floats yer boat...

You will want to stiffen the front suspension to compensate for the rear if you do decide to cut them or simply do not corner hard...better just put the new shocks in and leave it alone. The stock rear shocks are actually pretty good.

I put in cut front BG coils from the front of a hyundai accent in the rear of my car...they were free and like half the size of my stock springs...lowered the rear probably 2 inches and really stiffened it up it's been like this for about 4 months and haven't had any problems cornering hard or anything (knock on wood)

DONT CUT THE COILS!!!!!!!!
You can lower the car by 1 inch by removing the rubber upper spring perch.

why whould you remove the rubber perch? whoulnt that be like having no bushings on your front suspension???
wouldnt it just be metal to metal???? :confused:

do a search about cutting your springs, i would really not recoment it. but i cant make ya do shit

Springs are designed with the entire length of the coil in mind. Cutting the springs seriously reduces their performance.

Buy some lowering springs or reconsider your suspension setup before you do anything dangerous.

Why are you talking about the front suspension when in his 1st post he is clearly asking about the rear springs?
I took the the rubber perches out of the rear springs on my car with no ill effects.

Cutting the springs works just fine, i mean if you are going to be doing auto cross or something you probably want to worry about what all these guys are goin off about, but for just day to day driving and for looks it should be just fine. I personally have never done it, but i know many who have, and have no complaints.

PERSONALLY, i'm not going to cut springs. I'm going to get some King Springs out of australia (They are as low as you would ever want ). I don't want to risk a lower performance spring, when i can get a HIGH performance spring at the same height.

I thought the 1st gen's were low enought as it is but I guess if you wanna go lower without paying........

Victoria British has a cool solution to lowering the front, not sure about the back.... it basically moves the strut mount point up an inch... I thought it was genius... Not bothering tho, because I don't *want* my car lower... I may end up not having any say because I want the KYB Shocks and Tokico Springs that are cheapest in VB's catalog.. I'm a poor college student, and aparently even those cheap shocks/springs are better than stock... we'll have to see.

Jon

There's nothing wrong or dangerous about cutting 1 coil off the rear springs. I drove like this for years (back in the day), even RB suggests doing that as a cheap alternative. True, it's not the ideal way to lower the car but it will work. Having less coils on the spring also makes is stiffer, which might be a good or bad thing.

Cutting 1/2 to 1 coil is kewl and will lower the car.
That's all the aftermarket springs you pay big bucks for are. Measure the spring in the LOADED condition to decide how much to cut. It works for the rear.

Remember for FRONT springs any amount you cut will be multiplied by the difference in length from the inner mount to the ball joint divided by the distance from inner mount to the center of the spring.

If you are patient you can do it in steps and also equalize the height of you car from side to side if it is not exactly the same now.

right now my rear shocks are completely shot, one is leaking some type of oil all over the place, the other makes a wierd tapping sound ever time i go over bumps or shift suspension weight to the back, I just want nice handleing. Would just brand new shocks give me good handleing or would cutting 1/2 a coil off the rear springs help me out at all?

also when removing rubber perches, are we talking about the seat-rubber, and it doesn't sound like a good idea, correct me if i'm wrong

Cut a 1/2 coil, leave the rubber. You will like it


:)

it won't negativly effect handleing?

No - not on the rear but I'm not sure if a 1/2 coil is going to lower it much. Anyone know the answer to this??

you can cut 'em no prob...just don't cut too much...remember old springs are already weak.

The car should handle a little bit better because the lower cg.

You won't notice much difference in ride height with half a coil cut off. But I would start there and see if you like it, besides you can always cut more.

GOOD ADVISE

Dont forget, you always want the front a little lower than the rear for aerodynamic stability at speed.

M

There are a couple of ways to cut springs, either by hacksawing them, or cutting them with a torch. I've used both methods on various cars over the years. The hacksaw method takes the most work, but results in a smoother cut end. If you opt for the torch method, wrap the spring in wet rags or even let it sit in a bucket of water with just the part you want to cut exposed. Use a HOT torch and do it quick to avoid de-tensioning the spring. The spring rate will increase maybe 5-10% depending on how much you cut off. I don't advise removing rubber spring perches, myself. Good luck!

USE A CUTOFF WHEEL

Do not torch ! You better be the HULK to use a hacksaw.

USE A CUTOFF WHEEL

Go to a shop a borrow the use of one or pay someone to cut it off for you