Cutting coils to lower front end (Have pics posted now)

[patmckinneyracing]

I understand that. These 5660 springs have been on the car for probably about 4-5 months now but the front end only settled about .5 an inch. I've driven it a lot too in order to try and settle the front end. I'll cut a 1/2 coil first and go from there.

 

[pontiacgp]

I have the monte carlo ss quick steer ratio box, so it doesn't go as far into the turn as the factory 3.5 lock box,

the stops in the SS steering box are the same degree as any other G body box....

 

[patmckinneyracing]

It doesn't turn as much as the 3.5 turn steering box did. The tires used to rub with my factory box but when I switched to the ss box i had plenty of clearance.

Now for an update. So far I've already cut half a coil out. In the process I was thinking "These moog springs have a full coil taper on both ends". So even though I cut half a coil out, the front didn't drop at all. But now that the taper is eliminated, the next half coil I cut out should make a noticeable drop.

 

[custom442]

Now for an update. So far I've already cut half a coil out. In the process I was thinking "These moog springs have a full coil taper on both ends". So even though I cut half a coil out, the front didn't drop at all. But now that the taper is eliminated, the next half coil I cut out should make a noticeable drop.

oh.

...I forgot to mention to heat the spring another half coil down, flip upside down and lean on it to make the new cut match the old one. Then you let it cool by just sitting.

Seing as it's too late, just see how she settles in a while. Who knows, maybe you'll luck out and it'll be fine.

 

[patmckinneyracing]

Heat it up with a torch so it matches the old tapered end?

 

[custom442]

Heat it up with a torch so it matches the old tapered end?

Yes, you can still do it now. It'll just be that much lower since you took off a full spring. Hit it with some paint and they'll look like new. Just make sure to let it air cool, if you throw water on it after to cool then you screw up the molecular composition of the spring.

 

[patmckinneyracing]

Yes, you can still do it now. It'll just be that much lower since you took off a full spring. Hit it with some paint and they'll look like new. Just make sure to let it air cool, if you throw water on it after to cool then you screw up the molecular composition of the spring.

I've been researching all this and everyone says " do not " use a torch when modifying the springs because it completely ruins the tensel strength of the steel and causes them to sag and have problems later.

 

[custom442]

I've been researching all this and everyone says " do not " use a torch when modifying the springs because it completely ruins the tensel strength of the steel and causes them to sag and have problems later.

Not if it's a half a coil. I'm not sure about a full coil, as I said earlier, cutting off that much screws up the spring to begin with because the rate is now well beyond what the spring (and diameter) was intended for.

-- Just install it as is, see how it settles after a while. If you don't like it, new springs are what, 60-80$?

 

[patmckinneyracing]

Well I'm hoping this works out cause I've got 1 1/4 off the spring. You have to figure that the first half cut got rid of the flat tapered end of the spring. So the other 3/4 cut is actually dropping the car. I test fitted after the first half cut and pushed on the front end to be sure and the car didn't drop at all. I'm letting the springs air cool right now. I should soak'em in oil as well.

 

[patmckinneyracing]

Alright I just got done hooking everything back up. The car has dropped roughly 1-2 inches in the front. It has that nice muscle car look now. Before, because of the body design of the malibu, the car looked like it was sitting really high in the front when it actually was level in the front and back. I'll be posting pics tomorrow with before and after looks of the car.

The front suspension doesn't feel like it stiffened up a massive amount, but then again those 5660's moogs are able to be cut to a certain height and still maintain a nice smooth ride in the front. The only problem I saw was my lower A arm was pointing upward just slightly at maybe a 2-3 degree angle, which shouldn't be a problem after I get it aligned again tomorrow. Once it's aligned, the angle of the lower a arm should be eliminated and have the downward angle it's supposed to have.