Is it OK to cut coil springs?

Is it OK to cut coil springs?

The only coil springs that can be safely cut are coil springs with tangential ends. Because Square ends and Pigtail ends are designed to make full contact with their mounting points, they would have to be re-shaped after they were cut. So, Coil springs with Square or Pigtail ends can not be safely cut.

Does cutting coil springs affect spring rate?

Cutting coils does increase the spring rate. The only thing that will change will be the length of the wire used to wind the spring. The longer the wire is the lower the spring rate. As the wire get shorter, such as when cutting the coil, the spring rate increases.

Why you shouldn’t cut your springs?

1) You can go too low. If the springs are cut excessively, the spring coils can bottom out on themselves. Using a plasma cutter or oxyacetylene torch to cut springs will destroy the temper of the metal and will make the spring too soft. You also shouldn’t cut progressive springs or springs with square ends.

Do lowering springs ruin ride quality?

Lowering springs will make my ride feel more harsh. False. Most lowering spring sets are designed to maintain most of your car’s factory suspension travel distance and are about 15% higher in spring rate design to preserve ride quality. You will have a harsher ride from stiffer shocks, otherwise known as HD models.

Can you cut coil springs to lower car?

You can lower your car by cutting the coil springs that are compressed in the strut above the car’s tires. A professional mechanic often carries out the process of cutting a car’s coil springs and lowering the vehicle. With a few tools, such as a coil compressor and angle grinder, you can cut the coil springs yourself.

How do you reshape a spring?

Fix a Spring with a Torch

1. Use a putty knife to separate one coil from the rest of the spring.
2. Ignite the Bernzomatic TS8000, and slowing apply heat to the single coil, heat until the coil is cherry red.
3. Using the pliers, bend the coil to match the other end of the spring.

Does spring rate affect ride quality?

The advantage of a progressive spring is that it can provide a variable ride quality-softer when the suspension is at a normal ride height, and stiffer as the spring is compressed, such as when the suspension is being pushed hard through a corner. While stiffer springs promote better handling, there is a limit.

Are Lowering springs bad for your car?

Lowering springs also change the geometry of your wheel/tire fitment. If it’s not done right, you can expect both accelerated and uneven tire wear. Your car could also bottom out over speed bumps and be even tougher to get up inclines, like your driveway, without scraping your bumper.

How do you fix a bent coil spring?

Is it safe to cut a coil spring?

Cutting coil springs can cause controversy, as some feel that it is not a safe practice, and can ruin the spring. It is true that excessive heat will remove the temper from the spring, so we do not recommend using a torch. That leaves a cutting wheel or band saw.

What is the math behind cutting coil springs?

The outside diameter is not considered because it will change with a change of wire diameter) 11,250,000 x (.610 x .610 x .610 x .610) / 8 x 8 active turns x (4.485 x 4.485 x 4.485) = 269 Lbs. Double check the math – 16.145 – 10.5 = 5.645 deflection. 1,519/5.645 = 269 Now if we cut say 1/2 turn off this spring the active turns become 7.5.

What’s the best way to cut suspension coils?

A stiffer spring will help reduce bottoming out. A safe place to start is by measuring how much you want to lower the vehicle. Then cut 1/2 that measurement off the length of the springs and reinstall them. Then take her for a drive, and drive it like you stole it to get the springs well worked and seated properly.

Which is the last coil of a spring?

Pigtail – the last coil of the spring is the square type but has a much smaller diameter than the coils in the body of the spring. The type of ends a coil spring has is determined by how the springs are mounted in the suspension. A coil spring can have 2 of the same ends or it can have 2 different ends.