cutting coil springs

[59imp]

last yr i replaced the rear coils in my impala with a couple stock Moog heavy duty coils, so i've been driving on them for a yr, i just cut one coil off and got a two inch drop. cool.
i just got two new Moog front coils and cut one coil off and the car sits exactly the same height as before, so, i'm assuming the originals had sagged a bit.

so first, do you think these new springs will 'wear in' and drop a bit?

and two, what would happen if i just cut one more coil? i'd like to get the front down about 2" as well.....

thanks in advance... mo
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[Gastrick]

Yes the new springs may settle a bit but probably not much, sometimes not at all. I know it's a pain in the butt, but I would try only cutting a half a coil at a time after giving it a week or so for the springs to settle. Just my opinion.

 

[Shea Laking]

I'm with Gas on this one. "General" rule of thumb with cutting coils is one half coil equals one inch of drop, while one coil equals two inches of drop. Might be best to just try trimming another half coil off and driving it for awhile, see if she settles a bit more.

Regards,
Shea

 

[Lightning]

Instead of cutting coils ,I've always tried to find a comparable spring from another vehicle that is shorter than the one you have. It seems that when you start cutting coils it reduces the compression ratio to the rebound ratio and tends to have a harder impact on the ride, not to mention how the spring sits in the spring pocket which changes handling charastics, where as if you find a comparable spring that is shorter, the integerity of the spring remains and you get a lower ride height. It would almost be like removing a set of springs from a car with a BB in it and replacing them with a set for a SB. It may take a little research to find the correct springs, you might even get lucky and find a set of springs that have a progressive wound coil. Just remember that these rods are a lot lighter than a full sheet metaled vehcicle and the center of gravity has been changed from the original, depending on length of frame,placement of engine,location of front axel and rearend and placement of cab or body.

 

[59imp]

Gastrick and Shea, ya i hear ya, gonna drive it for a bit, but i'll prolly take at least another 1/2 coil, it's not so much the work i mind it's cranking those springs down with a spring compressor, it makes my dentist rub his hands together with joy.

lightning, i've already bought and cut the springs, and they're in a 59 Impala, so anything i do to firm up the ride is a plus not a minus.....


thanks guys....

 

[Shea Laking]

I wonder if there's some kind of online spring catalog lookup that will allow comparison of wire thickness, free height, end configuration...not to mention part numbers and application info...

Hmm, might just have to do a "BING."

Regards,
Shea

 

[Lightning]

I wonder if there's some kind of online spring catalog lookup that will allow comparison of wire thickness, free height, end configuration...not to mention part numbers and application info...

Hmm, might just have to do a "BING."

Regards,
Shea

Don't know about a catalog, I just used to take one out to the yard and match them up against other springs, the place I used to work in yrs ago would tear a car that came into the yard down to every last nut and bolt and separate and mark the parts. We had piles and piles of associated parts in groups. Mine was a dirty job,but I never wanted for a part when I needed it.

 

[gamracer3]

You might try your local NAPA and see if they have their coil spring book it gives you free height wire size rates its a good refrence

 

[rainman]

It's not just height and wire size, but also number of coils (wire length) that dictates spring rate. I agree with Gastrick 1/2 coil at a time, they usually will settle a bit.

 

[59imp]

the Moog catalouge gives you all the info you could want, sprung and unsprung height, O.A.L., wire size, load rating, spring rate, etc...

my goal was to lower the car and firm up the ride, hoping to improve the stance and handling, without having a harsh ride, that's why i started with a stock spring, so far the ride is much firmer without being harsh, i can tell it handles better already, and after it settles i'll get a wheel alignment.

i talked to Charlie @ 'Charliey's Chop Shop" of Portland Oregon, he says he's cut and reshaped hundreds of springs, he figgers on a big car like that the change in spring rate won't be noticable, and to drive a bit, then maybe take another 1/2 coil.........

so that's what i'm gonna do.............

 

[Shea Laking]

Good tip on the MOOG catalog...we buy parts from our local NAPA dealer, so I'll check it out sometime.

Regards,
Shea

 

[59imp]

so after a few weeks of driving, the Imp only settled about 1/2 inch. so today i cut another 1/2 coil out of the front and it came down 1 full inch, it looks, drives and handles great, really firmed up the ride.

so mabey if i cut the springs right out, it'll ride like a Cadillac!

 

[59imp]

just a little update, so i put new Moog heavy duty coils in the rear and new stock Moog coils in the front. i cut 1 full coil from the rear and 1 1/5 coils from the front, i have driven on them for a few months now and put about 1500 miles on them, the Impala settled a full 2 inches front and rear, has a slight rake to the front, which i really like. all the "50's" squishy squishy ride is gone, the ride is firm without being harsh, and it handles well.

so for just under $300 and a couple afternoon's work, it looks and drives like a different car.

 

[earthman]

Glad that it worked out the way you wanted '59. Got any recent pix