How to Lower Coil Springs
While it's easy to purchase a set of lowering springs for your car, you can save some money by simply cutting the stock springs. This also gives you the ability to fine tune the ride height by removing material incrementally. Keep in mind though that a cut stock coil spring is probably not going to be as stiff as a new lowering spring and may not offer the same level of handling.
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Things You'll Need
- Wrenches
- Angle grinder
- Cutting wheel and grinding wheel
- Degreaser
- Mineral spirits
- Masking tape
- Primer and spray paint
Instructions
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1
Remove the coil springs from the car. This will vary from car to car, but will involve jacking up the car, placing it on jackstands and removing the springs. Consult your workshop manual for detailed instructions.
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2
Clean the springs with degreaser.
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3
Decide how much you want to lower the car. If you just want it a little lower, then you should start by removing ½ of a coil or even ¼ of a coil at a time.
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4
Use masking tape to mark off where you are going to make your cut. Mark all of the springs at the same time while they are next to each other to ensure that they are the same height after they are cut.
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5
Cut the spring at the height you have marked off with the angle grinder and a metal cutting wheel. Grind any sharp edges with a grinding wheel on the angle grinder.
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6
Replace the springs and lower the car onto the ground to see if it is at the desired height. If it is not low enough, remove the springs and repeat the cutting process until the desired height is achieved.
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7
Clean the springs with mineral spirits.
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8
Paint the springs with primer and then a color coat. Aftermarket lowering springs are often painted red or bright blue, and you can emulate this to give the springs a more authentic look.
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9
Reinstall the springs.
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Tips & Warnings
Where proper eye and ear protection when using an angle grinder.
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Comments
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Wow what a prat.... If you cut a stock spring you risk it not being long enough to stay in place upon rebound when the weight comes of it, and certainly in the UK, you would fail an MOT test because the spring was 'broken! Some people should be saved from themselves, if you want to lower your car, do it properly, this idea is plain dangerous.
