Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Suspension Cut springs!!!

Are those clamps safe? I need to do something with mine. I either need to use clamps on the fronts or "helpers" on the back.

no I just got the name wrong...I am talking about exactly what you are.

Some tool that compresses your coils together...

see... http://amos.catalogcity.com/cc.class/cc?main=catalog&ccsyn=1&pcd=5745482
I've never used them either and that price is more tempting than ever...but u know what they say, you get what you pay for.

Fred Puhn's book mentions the proper way to cut springs; if you can't trust him, who then?

STILOV there is a right way and wrong way to do just about anything. Just Say NO To Coil Cutting!

As far as cost goes if you can't afford the right way, don't do it at all, you'll be better off.....

Don't forget: The Quality is remembered Long after the Cost is Forgotten!!!!!

I've been following this thread since it began because I want to lower my car (a 1999 Zetec 'Tour with E1 wheels).

I see there is a basic disagreement here regarding spring cutting. Some of you say that it's OK, so long as it's not done with a cutting torch. (Everyone seems to agree that cutting with a torch is bad because it could affect the temper of the spring, causing an unpredictable change in spring rate, and in extreme cases, a broken spring.) According to the spring-cutting members, if the cutting is done properly and exactly, it just shortens the spring to the same length as aftermarket lowering springs. It also increases the spring rate (i.e. it makes the spring "stiffer") because whenever you cut a coil off a spring, it takes more force to compress the remaining coils a given distance.

Other members are saying that springs should not be cut under any circumstances. They say it's dangerous, and it will cause poor handling.

It seems to me there are three main issues here: 1) will cutting a coil off the spring affect the structural integrity (strength) of the spring? and 2) will the cut spring fit properly in the strut base so that the force of the spring is evenly distributed on the base, just like it is with the stock spring? and, 3) will cutting a coil cause the strut dampers to wear out quickly?

As to issue #1, I asked the guys at a metal fabrication and hot rod shop here (Orange County, CA) if cutting a spring would affect its structural integrity. They said they are not metallurgists, but they have cut tempered springs for years (using a carbon disc blade) and never had one fail. They said the stock Contour spring is not progressive, so cutting off a coil would not noticably change the ride quality. This makes sense to me, since a spring is really just a metal rod that has been wound into a coil. Cutting a part of it off (without excessive heating) should not significantly affect the strength or integrity of the remaining part. We also have the example of the CEG member who lives in Hawaii (lucky dog); he cut his springs and has run them for 10k miles without a problem.

As to the second issue, I haven't found any information. I have looked at my springs (still mounted on the car) and I can't really tell if they would still fit properly (i.e. will they fit solidly into the strut base and be supported by the strut base for the entire first coil) if I cut off a coil. Does anyone know about this fit issue? I hope our member in Hawaii can answer this.

I also have found nothing useful re: the third issue. No one seems to know if lowering 1" will put undue wear on the dampers. Lots of people seem to think that lowering 2" will blow out the dampers, but does anyone know why? I guess we would need an expert in damper design to tell us that.

Sorry for the length of this message. It's a hazard of my profession (attorney).

I don't know about part 1, but part 2...if they are not progressive and you cut EXACTLY one coil off, meaning the end of the coil is EXACTLY where the stock coil ends, there should be no fitment issues. As for part 3, there are also mixed opinions on that. I personally run Spax struts with my Eibachs, I was told they are somewhat of a stock SVT strut with stiffer valving, and they are holding up fine. People run a 1" drop with stock struts and many don't seem to have trouble, but it's a touchy subject to some people. Just some random thoughts, why don't you just buy the BAT kit or a suspension that is known to work. I just thought attorneys usually aren't that strapped for cash. Don't hate me, just curious.

I run roush springs on used SVT struts and it's working fine. I would like different struts, really I'd like lower lowering springs too, but money is a big issue. Bilstein struts would be very nice, but can't beat SVT struts for $15 that are holding well so far.

I have also cut my springs, and been running them for about 12,000 miles with no problems. Ride quality is the same as before I cut them, and the struts haven't worn out yet. When I cut my coils, I cut the top off of each one, and they all fit back on the struts fine.

Despite all of the negative feed back...I did it. It rides fine. Just like before, I went with some st200 struts and the ride feels much better than it used to. Anyway...to each his own! But no I don't believe it to be any more dangerous than driving your car

Hey, Stilov, did you cut off the top coil or the bottom coil of each spring? And did the spring fit into the strut just like stock?