Cutting springs to lower vehicle - your experience/advice?

[tarafied1]

It may not have been a drop with the perches, just more freedom to move in the full range of the suspension causing the rubbing.

my front spoiler touches my driveway when I pull in now too and didn't before but I'm sure it's because the perches took out the bind.

Was an easy matter to adjust the spring stop to better mate with the spring. I think I worry too much. :scar

After measuring several times then making the cut I thought I was golden but one spring was 3/16" inch taller than the other when measured to the top flat of the spring. I removed an additional 1/4" of coil and they now both measure the same. Maybe I'm splitting hairs?

This makes me really appreciate the e-body Cudas and Challengers with their torsion rod suspension. They are completely adjustable with much less effort than the Mustang. This is great learning for me, I appreciate all the feedback.

:dh

Maybe I'm too relaxed but I didn't have any issue when I cut mine, they fit like factory. Also did you check the height before cutting? I'm surprised they would be different heights after?!?
Never had a Mopar but my F150 has torsion bar front-end, it squeaks a lot.

 

[RapidRabbit]

I installed 620 springs and cut about 3/4 of a coil on my 70. I also installed roller perches at the same time.
Here is a before and after. Now I just need to get the back end down.

 

[daveSanborn]

Just like Roll Bar threads, I try and avoid this topic, but it never fails to keep surfacing.


My opinion, and that of a multi-million dollar team of engineering experts, for what it's worth...

Cutting coils may give you the desired ride height, but it will be at the cost of ride quality. To do it correctly, you need to find the right coil for your application, not adapt a coil that's "too high".

Think if it this way.... Ford Motor Company employed 100's of design/suspension engineers.... Please tell me which one of them recommended that instead of manufacturing/shipping/storing/using 30 different coil springs to suit the varying car models/weights, that instead, one generic coil could be used and the worker on the assembly line could quickly cut it to make it work on that particular model? This guy would be one of Ford's engineering hero's as he would have saved the company a substantial amount of money.

Yeah, he doesn't exist, because even 45 years ago this wasn't a great idea. And believe me, if it was even somewhat of an acceptable idea and Ford could've saved money doing it, they would have.

It's only through 40-50 years of backyard mechanics wrenching on cars that this has become an "acceptable" practice.... but only because people are too cheap to do it correctly. People use tree branches to throw a block and tackle over to pull an engine, but they're "nut's" because a real engine hoist is only $200? A set of the correct coil springs is a lot cheaper than that.

I've built/owned a higher number of Mustangs than most around here and I've never once cut a coil spring. And I consider myself a cheap SOB.

 

[mustangstofear]

Don't sugar coat it Dave just tell us what you think lol. Rich

 

[miketyler]

I guess it all depends on your standards and your comfort level with making such mods. For me, this is sort of like changing a rear main seal. The part is cheap but its a pain to get to. Also I can live with some mild variation in original handling as I "adult-drive" my vintage cars and never will drive them like my daily driver.

My car is already apart and I figured, WTF? Why not at least try it? If the height, ride quality, and stability are ok I saved myself some rework. Admittedly, I would be less inclined to try this had it not been for so many others that have gone before me and have had successl in doing so.

I too am pretty frugal with my car budget but if it works, I considered the time and trouble saved more valuable than the cost savings of new springs.