What do you know?

What can you all tell me about this type of suspension? i want to lower this front end down low and i have been told to cut the springs but i am concerned about these knuckle shocks. Do these have some major tension on them or can i just unbolt these and take the springs out to cut them or does anyone have a better suggestion? This is a 1948 pontiac frame. thanks

 

i wouldn't cut the coils , you want to keep the lower A-arms parrell to the ground. you should use dropped uprights...fatman has them

http://www.fatmanfab.com/06page17.htm

 

How would cutting the springs hurt? I am not saying you are wrong, but i want to learn what the reason is for future projects. What kind of horror stories has anyone heard in the past?

 

cutting the coils will drop it some , but i don't think you would get the 2-1/2" drop the fatman uprights would give .

this is just how i would drop it...keep in mind i have never worked on a `48 pontiac.

i'm sure you will get more opinions

 

the biggest problem with lever-action shock absorbers (like yours) is keeping oil in them.
if you need to remove the spring to cut it you have to release the tension carefully,or it can fly out and hurt you.
1.jack up the car and put jackstands under it.
2.take a piece of chain and thread it through the spring,secure it with nut&bolt.
3.place your jack under the lower inner shaft and jack it up just enough to hold it in place while you loosen the bolts.
4.after it's as far down as possible,and all the tension is off,you can remove the safety chain and coil spring.
try not to remove more than 2 coils.

 

the blue arrow points at the lower inner shaft bolts.
it might help if you loosen the swaybar bolts as shown at the green arrow.

 

ive cut springs on many cars, had no adverse affects yet...just make sure you dont cut too much because you sure cant add. also make sure you only use a cutoff wheel...no torch. your best bet would be dropped uprights and cut coils (or airbags).