[29guy]

Advice needed,

I am getting ready to put dropped spindles on my '52 Chevy and will need to take a "touch" out of my springs to get the front where I want it to be.

So here's the question, do I need a special cut off wheel to safely (and quickly) cut my coil springs? I will be using a high speed air cut off tool with 3" cut off wheel.

Thanks a ton for your help.

29guy

[onovakind67]

That should do the trick. We generally figure about 1/8" of drop for every 1" of coil we remove and take no more than 180° at a time.

[xntrik]

There is nothing wrong with using a torch. You are only heating the last 3/4 inch of the coil. The last 180* usually sits solidly in the cradle.

[jpelli]

change springs or use coil overs, if you cut the coils the car will sit right but ride like a stone.

[BadA$$37]

jpelli said it all, change springs or use coil overs, if you cut the coils the car will sit right but ride like a stone.

I cut the springs on my wifes 61 Cad and it looks bass ad, but coil binds once in a while and feels like a brick.

[willys36@aol.com]

Go ahead and torch the springs first. If they ride rough you haven't lost anything, go with "plan B", but if they ride fine, you DIY and saved $$$$$$$$$$$$$$. I do a lot of MII front ends and I can say from experience that flame cutting off one coil does not hurt the ride at all. Trimming off one coil yields exactly 2" drop at the wheel which is what virtually every MII installation needs. Go slow like advised above - can always cut off a little more, can't add any back on.

[Henry Highrise]

Willys 36 is right you have nothing to lose and it might work out just fine. I have cut a lot of them and never had a problem. Only cut a half a coil at a time then reassemble and check for ride height. Do not cool the cut with water or anything...let it air cool.

[29guy]

Thanks to all for the advise. I am going to cut them and see what gives! If I don't like the ride, I have a spare set of stock springs to re-install and try another option.

This car is a DIY all the way with a 400/400 combo and a '56 Chevy rearend. The seats are buckets out of a '71 chevelle and lots of other swap meet and wrecking yard "finds". After the drop come narrow 16" steelies w/caps and rings.

Last up will be a DIY flat black spray finish with yours truly drawing and shooting 3 tone, yellow/orange/red gloss flames!

Rodding in the Puget Sound,

29guy

[willys36@aol.com]

Best thing about that is you always know where to find the builder if things are screwed up!