Home Lowering Chop Springs

[saint_matrix]

Hello everyone,

I am wanting to do a hardcore budget ($0) lowering job. Ive heard of and seen a few chopped spring jobs, but I am wondering how to do it (if its possible) and risks involved and difficulty etc. I know its not yay great for the car but thats not really my big concern. I heard from a mate that the spring can shoot out and rip of limbs and shit, is this true? And do i need any new parts to do it, or do i need any special tools etc.

Thanks guys

[fitzy2005]

cutting sprigns is illegal

[saint_matrix]

Oh yeah, and if anyone can tell me how to do it. Thanks

[saint_matrix]

I dont really know much about suspension. But to properly lower, do i just buy new springs, or do i get shocks etc

[fitzy2005]

yea ull need shorter shocks then lower springs if you go superlows or lower

[HoZy]

If you want to chop your springs go for it use a grinder an chop a few coils off.... Doesn't worry me if you wanna put your own life in danger an an wreck your car..

But if i was you i wouldnt do it, I've had a friend in a very bad car accident because he hit his brakes an the car went sideways an the bodyroll launches a spring fro his suspension an he hit a tree.

So yeh, Go buy some springs around $200-300 for springs all round.

Cheers
MaT

[fitzy2005]

ull need shorter shocks if you cut a coil of ur springs too

[saint_matrix]

If you want to chop your springs go for it use a grinder an chop a few coils off.... Doesn't worry me if you wanna put your own life in danger an an wreck your car..

But if i was you i wouldnt do it, I've had a friend in a very bad car accident because he hit his brakes an the car went sideways an the bodyroll launches a spring fro his suspension an he hit a tree.

So yeh, Go buy some springs around $200-300 for springs all round.

Cheers
MaT

Good point.. I assumed the only danger was scraping the bottom of the car. Would changing JUST the springs make a difference

[fitzy2005]

you can change the springs to 'lows' which is about 30mm lower then stock, any lower you need shorter shocks

[CSL]

what you do is get under your car, wack the shocks with a hammer for a good couple of hours, then after you do that get a realy bastard cut file and go sick on your bumpstops. now stand back and admire how your car will be in a few months of cutting your springs.

listen dude, do it porpperly with low springs, or even go to he spring shop and get yours compressed/reset to your desired height, each coil is designed to take X amount of weight, you take 2 coils off and the other coils have to pick up the slack, weight they wern't designed for,

[PaRaDoX]

ok first, its NOT a good idea cut springs ever

ill explain why,
stock springs are deisnged to carry a specific weight,
when you cut them, you get "rice bounce" (lower car with soft springs that bottoms out, scrapes and drives like poo)

if you going to do it, only cut the rears, and cut EXACTLY 1 coil off...
i take no responsibility if you hurt your self or damage your car doing this..

you'll need a few things,
2x small jacks
1x larger jack that can be used to lower the diff
1x angle grinder

first you need to remove the springs to cut them, the reason i say cut the rears not the front, is because the fronts are coil overs and need to be compressed on, the rears are stand alone, ok jack the car up (same time)
on each side, you will need 2x people, once its rasied, remove both wheels, take the 3rd larger undercar jack (dont get under the car ever), and jack it up so its holding the diff in place,

then unbolt the shockers from the control arm (holds the spring in)
on both sides, then lower the diff using the jack,, the springs should just fall out...

ok so cutting hte springs, mark it with a texta and clamp it down without damaging it, then just cut it a little above the line, then grind it back so its even, put the springs back in and makre sure they line up, if they dont... throw the springs away, your lifes not worth it,

use the 3rd jack to raise the diff and bolt teh shocks up... dont cut more than 1 coil or they'll fall out if u hit a bump

the lower you go the stiffer the springs get to prevent it bottoming out,
ie ive got 4x monroe GT gas shocks and 2x superlow kingsprings on the front and 2x ultra lows on the rear, ajustable panhard rod and ajustable cambers.

i paid around $900 for all of it, its a proper lowering job

there u go =P

[saint_matrix]

Thanks for the explanation. Im definately going to pro lower later on, but im after a temporary thing till i get some money. Because the rear of my VN is EXTRA high, because it had a gas cyclinder in the boot, and ever since it was removed the back has risen dramaticaly and is rediculously high. A mate mentioned that there may be blocks in the rear suspension, but either way im after a quick temporary fix.

[***In The Build***]

Don't kid yourself, you are risking your life and those of whoever gets into your car, not to mention the others on our roads. Cutting springs are illegal for a reason, and if you crash and you have these springs in the car, you will go to prison. Don't be a tightarse, go and buy yourself a set of lowered springs, they don't cost thousands. I was young once and i tried the whole cut springs trick, paid a heap in fines aswell, and being a panel beater, you have got no idea on how much stress it puts onto the body of the car. Please, don't do it.

[saint_matrix]

ok. That many dont do its must be right. I wont do it. Do you think it is possible that blocked up suspension idea is possible. Because the springs look stock yet its high as a mofo

[coolvxss]

I choped my springs cause im just a young fellow with not much money. It worked a treat with me. Some of my friends have done it aswell and have had no probs at all. My dad has also done it to lots of his cars through out his life and has had no probs. But i still am saving for superlows all round. anyone no prices for short shocks and superlows all round? thanks

[saint_matrix]

, and being a panel beater.

Hey you mentioned you are a panel beater haha. I was wondering how much you would normally charge a spray job on a VN

Thanks

[PaRaDoX]

saint_matrix where are u located? there is a group buy of a springs on at the moment, something like $95 for a pair of springs, dump your car for $190 lol, of course pending on how low u got you'll need a ajustable panhard rod and shorter shocks,

coolvncommodore, it may look lower, but what happens when your doing 80 and a gust of wind hits you, , becuase the diff wont be centred your rear end can skid out of control, and before you know it you look out your side window and your going forwards.... trust me, its a scary feeling

dont F*$K with supspension, i learnt the hard way, due to soft shocks and sunken springs i ended up loosing control at 80km/h and narrowly avoiding hitting a pole and a coupple of tree's, i wasnt doing anything stupid, i wasnt speeding, it was pissing down with rain and the car was impossible to control, ended up backwards and sideways up a raised enbankment with blood gushing from my head, my mate was ok, but i didnt drive my car for 2 weeks because it was unsafe in its current state

i was lucky in the fact i only damaged
controller arm
bent my chassis
bent my panhard rod
shattered some old bushes on my suspension
rooted my shocks
destroyed my bearing plates
bent my rear control arm
bent my exhust
bent my sway bar...

when people say "its cheap" it shits me, because if you cut your springs anything can happen, before you know it you'll have a rooted car and be $3000 out of pocket providing you dont hurt anyone, that is if you survive the crash

dont be a pussy and skimp on one of the most important things on the car...

[coolvxss]

Yeah well im saving for super lows and short shocks. How much. i have about 300 saved so far. i live in canberra. do u no anywhere i can get superlows at a good price? thanks

[hakhawk]

lol, i love all this "i have no money so i want to cut my springs" crap, i have stuff all money, i work 2 days a week, more if im lucky, since having my car for a little over 12 months now, ive gone through all kings spring sets, started with lows, went to supers, and now im on ultras, which are only a few weeks old. i still dont have much money.

i never cut my springs, i saved my money.

it will cost you 200-300 for a set of 4 springs, 100-150 for a set of short rear shocks, 150-200 for fronts, and 100-150 for a adjustable panhard rod.

buy each set of things every few weeks or so, when you have the money, install them yourselves if you can, its not too hard, theres a tutorial on here now to do it. all you need is a set of spring compressors, jacks, axle stands, spanners, etc and a bit of experience in using it all. buy a gregories manual aswell.

[saint_matrix]

lol, i love all this "i have no money so i want to cut my springs" crap, i have stuff all money, i work 2 days a week, more if im lucky, since having my car for a little over 12 months now, ive gone through all kings spring sets, started with lows, went to supers, and now im on ultras, which are only a few weeks old. i still dont have much money.

i never cut my springs, i saved my money.

it will cost you 200-300 for a set of 4 springs, 100-150 for a set of short rear shocks, 150-200 for fronts, and 100-150 for a adjustable panhard rod.

buy each set of things every few weeks or so, when you have the money, install them yourselves if you can, its not too hard, theres a tutorial on here now to do it. all you need is a set of spring compressors, jacks, axle stands, spanners, etc and a bit of experience in using it all. buy a gregories manual aswell.

I go to school and work at a carwash. During winter Im lucky to get $35 a week because no one wants to wash their car when its rainging. Where am I supposed to get money to save. The money I do get go's to my cars drinking habbit and mine.

[hakhawk]

stop drinking, easy. it might take longer to save, but its worth it.

try and get another job maybe, work more.

its your choice to spend your money on what you want, i chose to spend mine on my car, not on alcohol that is good for maybe a few hours.

edit: and think yourself lucky, while i was at school, i had NO work, NO car. i got maybe $10 a week if i was lucky.

[saint_matrix]

I am lucky im getting cash. And I finish school next year so i will have money... but till then

[hakhawk]

til then, stick with stock height, or try ebay for some second hand ones.

dont risk wrecking your car, yourself or your friends in your car.

[PaRaDoX]

til then, stick with stock height, or try ebay for some second hand ones.

dont risk wrecking your car, yourself or your friends in your car.

rofl right on man,

i had my car when i was in year 11,

i didnt get it dumped till i was out of school,
its hard but cmon if your in school you aint driving it.. so whats the point in cutting them???

weekend drinking ROFL, what are you drinking? a slab of jimmy a weekend, do what i did, CHEAPEST VODKA u can find $20 per bottle, does the trick, there u go $15 a week to mod your car :P,

insted of complaining about your job, go out and find a new one... i mean **** i was on work cover for half of year 12 unable to work, and not recieving compensation, ive been through 5 diffrent jobs and im 18, if your not happy with a job, get out of it before you spend the rest of your life hating it, i mean we all start with shitty jobs, just over a year and ill be finished my course!

[AirStrike]

Hmmm mate has had chopped springs in his VN for 3 years, not a problem.
Also you dont HAVE to run a shorter travel shock, all that will happen is that the shock will wear out quicker. Chuck the springs in the save for the shocks.
AirStrike