Cutting Springs

[CBRIDE]

Ive always complain that my rear springs (Eibach) (sp) do not sit properly. they do not like up properly with the top seat/rubber.

If I cut them to sit properly will the spring become short? will it become uneven?

[rdeal317]

...all together now....


DON'T CUT SPRINGS


But really if you cut anything from your springs they will have even less of a chance to sit properly in their perch. You can usually grab unaltered lowering springs at full droop and spin them around because of their shortened length versus stock. If you cut them, this will be worse, and even though it would be a pretty slim chance you may even have the spring pop off of the perch at full travel.

[johnl]

The top of the spring coil should (normally) be wound at a shallower pitch than the rest of the coils, and the top of the spring then ground 'flat' so that the spring sits squarely against the spring seat over most of the seat circumference. If it's not sitting squarely then I suspect that the spring may already have been cut (???).

Does the top of the spring have the appearance of the coil wire having being ground flat, or does the wire end in a 90° cut?

[CBRIDE]

The top of the spring coil should (normally) be wound at a shallower pitch than the rest of the coils, and the top of the spring then ground 'flat' so that the spring sits squarely against the spring seat over most of the seat circumference. If it's not sitting squarely then I suspect that the spring may already have been cut (???).

Does the top of the spring have the appearance of the coil wire having being ground flat, or does the wire end in a 90° cut?

I didnt notice it being cut or anything. they are brand new from tire rack.

I am using the stock spring seat. BTW i am running G2 struts with the eibach springs. I am wondering if its the after market G2 bottom seat thats cuasing the top to be uneven.

its annoying especially when i have to remove then. I always need 2 people to help me to TWIST the entire strut/sprint assembly to get the bolts to line up. I laso feel that added twist/stress is not good for the rear suspension.

[turbo90accord]

sounds like you botched the install. no twisting should be needed to install any suspension part. BINDING PARTS= something wrong.

[CBRIDE]

I didnt. twist it was the ONLY way to get in on.

[NinJa_FLiP]

sounds like you botched the install. no twisting should be needed to install any suspension part. BINDING PARTS= something wrong.

x2.. i noticed that i tightened the tophat in the wrong position in the rear, so i began to twist it like you did.. i noticed the spring twisting and not seating properly on the shocks spring seat causing the spring to sit higher in the seat.. i had to loosen the top hat enough to get the top to spin without the spring twisting, got em in, then tightened it back down from inside the car.. just make sure the spring is seated completely into the seat..

[cali-racer]

If I cut them to sit properly will the spring become short? will it become uneven?

nnoo, they'll be the same size as when u got them.

[NinJa_FLiP]

how will it be the same size as when he got them if he cuts them down?? well anyway, i had some friends "heat" their springs before to make the car sit properly.. although i advise against it.. its not as bad as cutting the springs, but it still alters the way the spring is supposed to perform..

[johnl]

I am using the stock spring seat. BTW i am running G2 struts with the eibach springs. I am wondering if its the after market G2 bottom seat thats cuasing the top to be uneven.

its annoying especially when i have to remove then. I always need 2 people to help me to TWIST the entire strut/sprint assembly to get the bolts to line up. I laso feel that added twist/stress is not good for the rear suspension.

The KYB dampers should be designed to fit the stock springs (?), and the Eibach springs should be designed to fit the stock dampers (?), so the Eibach springs should fit the KYB dampers...?

Is there even a remote possibility that you might have fitted the springs upside down on the dampers...???

[johnl]

how will it be the same size as when he got them if he cuts them down??

I expect you'll find that cali-racer is being sarcastic...

I't quite obvious (to most) that if the spring is cut then ipso-facto it must become shorter.

well anyway, i had some friends "heat" their springs before to make the car sit properly.. although i advise against it.. its not as bad as cutting the springs, but it still alters the way the spring is supposed to perform..

Don't heat springs.

[CBRIDE]

x2.. i noticed that i tightened the tophat in the wrong position in the rear, so i began to twist it like you did.. i noticed the spring twisting and not seating properly on the shocks spring seat causing the spring to sit higher in the seat.. i had to loosen the top hat enough to get the top to spin without the spring twisting, got em in, then tightened it back down from inside the car.. just make sure the spring is seated completely into the seat..

I will try that. sounds like a good idea.

[NinJa_FLiP]

johnl.. yes i did catch onto him being sarcastic.. and yes i did advise against heating the springs.. thanks capt. obvious.. lol jk so dont get offended.. but cbride, do try the other thing i suggested.. itll hopefully solve yer lopsidedness.. haha

[96accord914]

dont cut your springs u calling for danger and you would get a nasty ride i would rather get ebay springs than cutin springs

[YK86]

Just my 2cents but I've cut springs in the past. The most EXTREME case was an 88 Accord I had with cut stock springs lowering it roughly 2.5inches. With a new set of Sensatracs, they rode better than the blown stock shocks with stock uncut springs. My 86 Accord I had at the same time had Koni reds with coilover sleeves. My 86 performance wise was way better and comfortable but for normal daily driving, the 88 was just as good. The 88 was just a fun project car which is why I chose cutting over buying springs.

I have also cut Sprint springs in my 99 Mustang convertible. Since they only made hardtop springs, I needed to cut roughly 1/2 a coil to give it a bit of a raked look. The convertibles have a slightly heavier rear due to the extra roof hydraulics so it sat a little too evenly making the car look like the front was higher at some angles. Guess what? It rode just a good as before cutting and looked 100X better.

Cutting is ok if you know what you are doing. Things you cut can not be uncut so precautions are needed for sure. Now in the OP's case, I would check the spring install and make sure they are settled as well first before going crazy with a grinder.

I've tried lots of different things from Koni yellows with ground controls (by far the best) to Tokico blues with Eibach prokits to lowering springs on good stock struts. I am also not saying cutting is the best way to go. But I am saying if done properly, they aren't going to ride as bad as people make them out to be. If anything, I think blown struts with any kind of spring is the worst thing you ca do and I've seen ALOT of people riding around like that.