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Cutting the springs

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Old 05-03-02, 07:50 PM
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Cutting the springs

I read on the forum that you could cut the springs a little bit. Don't think that I will actually do this but just want to know if it would mess up the way my car rides. If I would do this I would only cut off as little as possible. Just anough to get rid of some of my gap. I just want to make sure that it wouldn't ride like those civics that cut like half of their springs off. Just for a little bit until save some money up for some real suspension mods. Is it even worth it??????

kleach
Old 05-03-02, 08:15 PM
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If you do, just cut the dead coils ,and you may need to cut the bump stops a little bit so you dont get the typical ricer "bounce" It will ride fine, you probably wont notice any difference.
Old 05-03-02, 08:23 PM
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But how much would it lower it? Would I really be able to tell and would it handle better-worse?

kleach
Old 05-03-02, 08:31 PM
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it shouldnt affect the handling at all, because if you cut the dead coils I dont believe that would affect the spring rate at all. You should be able to get about 1/2-1" drop, but not sure because I never did it.
Old 05-03-02, 08:41 PM
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Thanks, anybody else got any input on this?
Old 05-03-02, 08:43 PM
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Wouldn't that create bump steer?
-r0gu3

Last edited by r0gu3; 05-03-02 at 08:52 PM.
Old 05-03-02, 08:48 PM
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bump steer????
Old 05-03-02, 09:35 PM
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Uh.. no, it wouldn't.

I wil be doing it to...
I am just going to be cutting about 3/4" ff the front, and about 1" off the back.
Any more than that and you may get adverse effects...

The only problems is when you cut 6 inches off the springs because you want a ricebouncer and nobody offers springs that low- because they are unsafe!
Old 05-04-02, 11:16 AM
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So what would or have you guys done?

Last edited by kleach18; 05-04-02 at 11:20 AM.
Old 05-04-02, 11:35 AM
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ur handeling actually becomes worse just becouse when u ehat up the springs to cut them it weekens the mettal (don't do it just save a bit of money ad put lowering springs in ) but if ur just doing it for show it's good
Old 05-04-02, 11:58 AM
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Personally I don't think it is worth the labor involved, especially with how little you can cut before you start messing up the way the spring was designed. I suggest saving your money and getting drop on coilovers and the 2.5" (?) springs that go with them, they are actually pretty cheap if you look around. I've seen $100-200 range for no namers. This way you can adjust your ride height to your liking, set your corner weights if you care to, and also get a bigger rim and tire on because the springs are so much smaller...

~J
Old 05-04-02, 07:57 PM
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only thing is be careful, most cars if you cut the springs it will for some odd reason eat tires faster then normal
Old 05-04-02, 10:14 PM
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Input? Best thing to do if you're dead set on doing this:

NEVER EVER use a torch or heat. Cutoff wheel.

Start with a half a coil, and test fit it. Better not enough than too much.

Give it another half coil if you want more.

The tire wear issue is from camber. Those who go for the weeds look usually end up with 3-4 degrees of negative camber, and that will just kill tires.

Get an alignment after you do the work.

PaulC
Old 05-05-02, 09:05 AM
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re: bump steer

It could increase bump steer. But then again it may not. Bump steer is increased or decreased from changing the mounting point of the steering arm where it mounts to the strut. It all comes down to a relationship of the inner pivot point (Coming off the steering rack) to the outer pivot point ( Ball joint to strut mount). You would have had to measure bump steer before and after the mod to answer the question accurately. Will lowering the car 1" from stock change the bump steer? Who knows.

Silkworm, have you bump steered the IT car?

-billy
Old 05-05-02, 10:48 AM
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Billy,

Haven't done any of that yet, after it's truly done, I'll focus on alignment, bumpsteer, and corner weights..

PaulC
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