Lowering Stock Springs

[kodkingvegeta]

Iv heard that it has been done before, (not sure if its on a vw) so I was woundering how hard it would be to remove the stock springs and cut one coil from each one.

[SteveXs2]

Didn't Diesel do this on his MkIII Jetta? He should know how to do it.

Just wondering, though, is this just going to be temporary until you get some lowering springs, or is it permanent? Because doesn't cutting your springs just live you with a shorter spring that's still as soft as they were before, meaning easier for rubbing to occur when on bumpy roads?

[jettadude]

cutting springs is dangerous and illegal in most states. I would not condone this action however diesel will have to give the say if dubnet does or not. just buy the lowering springs.

[kodkingvegeta]

Lol, I was thinking of making it a permanent thing. But I guess I can't now. lol I dont have the money to buy lowering springs right now.

[jettadude]

here this should help, this is a great info on cutting springs also has 2 OMG great links about springs. http://www.eatonsprings.com/email1-1-06.htm

[kodkingvegeta]

That WHOLE thing just about went WAY over my head. Lol, but I understand enough it to say that cutting your stock springs would be bad. lol

[GoodDayForADrive]

lol, "We do not offer springs that lower the car greater than 2 inches, nor do we recommend this."

I think my car is lowered more than 2 inches... :lol:

[Mr_Diesel]

Blah blah blah... illegal shmilegal. I cut the springs on my 94 jetta a while back... I have to say I was very impressed with the results. I had original factory struts and springs... the struts and springs were shot,so I cut about 1 3/4 coil out of each spring using a cutting torch (BE CAREFUL WHEN YOU DO THIS, YOU COULD DIE!!! THE SPRINGS ARE UNDER AMAZING PRESSURE EVEN WHEN REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE!!!!) I could have sworn I made a thread about this, but I couldnt find it... Anyway, I did this only as a temporary solution... The rear suspension in my car made the back sag down... so I cut only the front. Did about a 3 inch drop and gave it a nice forward rake... Yeah... it looked good, but it was very bouncy.

On flat pavement, handling was considerably better than stock, but was nowhere near the performance of a nicely tuned suspension. By cutting out the coils you increase the spring rate and if you don't have struts to match it's going to be very bouncy. If I were you, I'd save your money and get a set of Eibach lowering springs... they should go fine with your front struts, but I would get new shocks for the back. You can get a set for like 500 or 600 bucks I think.

If you wanted a quick temporary solution, you could cut the springs... Just be careful when you cut them so that a flying piece of spring doesnt rip off a body part. Also, buy yourself a repair manual for your car... I reccomend the bently manual by Bently Publishing:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/083760365X/ref=sr_11_1/103-6816415-8235820?ie=UTF8

That's the one for your car... looks like you can get a used one for 38 bucks. That is the VOLKSWAGEN BIBLE! BUY IT! You will use it a lot. It will tell you the proper way to remove and install the struts. Obviously it won't tell you how to cut your springs, but it will tell you the tools and procedure for removal and installation.

[jettadude]

U CUT THE SPRINGS ON THE CAR!!!!!!!! ***** what if it would of hit you, can you say dead! take the springs off! look i know that in PA i know that you wont pass saftey inspection if you cut and or heat sag your springs. look if you cut them there not going to be stiffer and thats what you want. if you wanna do it fine but if you wanna make a good turn your gong to get body roll like no other, i would heat sag before i would cut.

[Mr_Diesel]

U CUT THE SPRINGS ON THE CAR!!!!!!!! ***** what if it would of hit you, can you say dead! take the springs off! look i know that in PA i know that you wont pass saftey inspection if you cut and or heat sag your springs. look if you cut them there not going to be stiffer and thats what you want. if you wanna do it fine but if you wanna make a good turn your gong to get body roll like no other, i would heat sag before i would cut.

No... I got much MUCH less body roll when cutting springs VS. stock. I cut almost 4 seconds off my lap time in SCCA with cut springs. No I didnt cut them when they were on the car. I cut them whilst still under pressure on the strut because I didnt want to rent a spring compressor. I took the strut assembly off and cut out a coil with a cutting torch with addequate protection of course.

[twig]

what's adequate protection? a suit of armour from the middle ages? man, that's insane.

what about trying spring clamps. they aren't good if you want to use the springs normally agian, but wouldn't be bad for a quick fix.

[Mr_Diesel]

Get a thick pair of welding gloves. Put your hand on the spring (boths sides... the side staying on the strut and the coil to be removed....) make the cut with the cutting torch. If you use welding gloves the molten metal won't fly everywhere and your body will be shielded by the gloves. Welding gloves are usually made of leather... So any thick leather would probably work.

Also, I need you to understand, this will officially turn you into a rice boy.... I'm only helping you understand how to do this so that your car doesnt look like crap with a nasty backward rake.... PLEASE save your money and get lowering springs or a full suspension ASAP... you will love your car with a full suspension. That's what is on my car right now... Eibachs and Bilsteins.

[veritaz]

There is nothing wrong with cutting springs, I dropped my MKIII Jetta 62mm, on a set of 17" Rims. Not bouncy at all, but still had a softer Ride than what I did on a set of bought springs... CUT THOSE SPRINGS :-)

[burn_your_money]

I've read that the best way to cut springs is with a air powered cutting wheel with the spring and tool submerged in cold water. The reason being is that when you heat springs you lower the spring rate, but if you can minimilize the amount of heat it works better. You need to cover the tool in oil I think. It's been a while since I read about it