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cutting coil springs to lower car, check these out | Can you lower a car by cutting the springs?

By Sarah Oconnell

Can you lower a car by cutting the springs?

The first thing you need to know is that cutting a coil spring will not only lower the vehicle, but it will also stiffen the spring making the ride and handling a bit firmer. But this is a good thing because lowering a vehicle reduces the amount of suspension travel. A stiffer spring will help reduce bottoming out.

How many coils can I cut to lower my car?

Probably 1-1.5 coils for a 1″ drop in the front, maybe 3/4 coil for the rear. Depends on the springs. Rule of thumb is to cut in smaller increments(1/4) if you’re unsure of things. As long as you don’t use heat to cut them and you’ll be fine and won’t be bashed.

Why you shouldn’t cut your springs?

Said another way, you shouldn’t cut your springs unless they are perfectly helical. 3) If you cut your springs excessively without changing the shocks, you will have poor handling dynamics. The system will become underdamped. The suspension will bounce up and down, which is bad for traction and bad for comfort.

How do I lower the springs on my 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 much does it cost to cut springs to lower car?

Lowering Springs Installation

Lowering spring kits go for anywhere between $100 and $700. A professional installation may cost an additional $200 to $800. If your vehicle needs a spring compressor to install lowering springs, it’s much safer to bring it to a trusted auto shop.

Do lowering springs ruin ride quality?

Your factory shocks’ overall ride quality is tuned to be most effective at the stock ride height. Lowering springs are shorter in length (most of the time) compared to factory springs, your shocks will be riding lower in their travel than they were designed to be at while sitting at normal ride height.

What happens when you cut a spring in half?

When a spring is cut into two halves of equal length, the spring constant of each half doubles. Thus, the new spring constant will be twice of the original spring constant. This is because force is directly proportional to the effective length.

How much does it cost to cut a coil?

Cutting one full coil should get you about 2.5″ of drop.

Will lowering springs ruin my suspension?

Poorly done or extreme lowering can cause suspension and steering parts to contact each other, the wheels or the tires. It could also cause tires to rub the body during turns or going over bumps.

Do coilovers lower your car?

While lowering springs rely on spring rate and height to alter your ride height, coilovers use the spring seat’s location on the shock to raise or lower your vehicle. That means you could swap in a heavier or lighter spring and easily get back to your desired ride height.