I'm looking for a cheap way to drop the front of my car. Only looking for a couple of inches. Is it safe to cut the springs? If so, what's the best amount to cut to inch it down?
The preferred method is to remove the springs and cut 1/2 a coil off with a cutoff wheel then reinstall. I cheated and used a torch with the spring in the car, and cut 2 coils off. 2 coils made for about 3" of drop.
Ive used a grinder with a cutting wheel before, worked good. Also you need to cut half the length of how much you want to lower it. Usually if you take 1 inch out of the spring it will lower the car 2 inches. But every spring is different. That being said I would take off a little at a time.
Use a cutoff wheel and go a half coil at a time. Remember that shortening the spring length increases the spring rate. Good Luck!
use a cutoff wheel cut one coil will give you about 2 inches. this is about the right amount for most cars. less and you dont notice it cut 2 coils out and it rides like **** and a 4 inch drop.
1/2 coil at a time!!! You can't put it back on,you know! I wouldn't go more than 1 1/2 coils though. Plus,you have to factor in ,the coils settling after about a month. 1 coil doesn't always mean 2" drop for all coils. Spring rate has alot to do with it. Trust me...you can cut off 1 coil,measure it and it might be perfect. Then drive it for awhile,and next thing you know ,it's TOO LOW! "Baby steps"...
You can even put a spacer between the spring pocket and your lower A-arm. I've done it both ways, and I have to say that cutting the springs was less work and less time. But everyone who says cut just a little is right: 1/2 coil will probably get you a couple inch drop, and you can always take off more if it doesn't. Cutting of two whole coils will make your remaining spring so stiff that you won't get much more drop than you would by cutting just one coil.
The Jalopy Journal
