What's peoples thoughts about chopping springs?

[BaileyMex]

as per title What's peoples thoughts about chopping springs?

 

I have a cheapo daily banger that needs to be brought back down to earth, some people say chopping a couple of coils off the spring is safe others say its dangerous.

 

I've never done it or been in a car that has been dropped this way.

 

Discuss

[aardvark101]

Chav-tastic mate, right up there with stretched tires:)

[SmokeEm]

Done it a million times & I'm still here. Just make sure you cable tie the spring to the cup

[Monkfish]

Some people believe that the act of chopping springs results in the death of kittens, but I've seen no conclusive proof. I think it's giving gravity a budget helping hand - go for it...

[Fiesta Steve]

as per title What's peoples thoughts about chopping springs?

 

I have a cheapo daily banger that needs to be brought back down to earth, some people say chopping a couple of coils off the spring is safe others say its dangerous.

 

I've never done it or been in a car that has been dropped this way.

 

Discuss

Haven't you been in my Fiesta before?, lol

 

I've been chopping springs for years, its just a metal rod wound into a coil, they usually get cut in the factory but you may as well do it at home.

My XR2 had lowering springs that were chopped as did my 1300 Sport.

 

My 1300 Sport failed its MOT on a broken spring so I took the other one out and cut it to match, painted them both black and the MOT man thought I purchased two new springs !!

 

 If the rides a bit bumpy after cutting, its 'cos your still on stock dampers..

[Posse]

Colin when I used to race I used to just heat them up sit on the bonnet or boot until it was how I wanted it. Also i don’t think the MOT man likes them popping out of the cups when they jack them up for an MOT.

[PaulMags]

Colin when I used to race I used to just heat them up sit on the bonnet or boot until it was how I wanted it. Also i don’t think the MOT man likes them popping out of the cups when they jack them up for an MOT.

Yeah there illegal if you cut them down mot wise just buy the proper ones col you tight git.

[Escort Mk1 4 Door]

cut them on my ax and wound the rear bars right up and stuck the tires off my mk1 escort on it

 

works as a shitter run about till mot runs out (but had to weld the spring to the spring seat lol so dont fall out)

[BaileyMex]

Cheers for the replies, this car is certainly offending the gods and need to come down.

 

I have the trolley jack, sockets, spring clamps, just no angle grinder, anyone local fancy ganging up on these offending springs?

[James HPE Motorsport]

The last set I cut, I didn't even remove them! Just use the spring clamps in situ to remove the tension and crack on!! Lol!

[BaileyMex]

The last set I cut, I didn't even remove them! Just use the spring clamps in situ to remove the tension and crack on!! Lol!

 

Really!!

 

Nutter love it

[SmokeEm]

I've NEVER removed em to chop. Spring clamp up, Grinder out - Jobs a good-un

[lead foot]

Ha ha. What's a spring clamp !!!

I cut them as they are !!!!

Fooking dangerous though

[Mrs O/H/C]

Don't be a tart, go and buy an angle grinder from B&Q for £20 and get the job done !!!!

[James HPE Motorsport]

Ha ha. What's a spring clamp !!!

I cut them as they are !!!!

Fooking dangerous though

 

Hardcore!! Lol

 

Cut the coil 3/4 of the way through and then stand back, don't look and hit it with a hammer!! Lol

[BaileyMex]

_{Right, cheers for that I don't feel so uncomfortable doing it now, after all, what's the worse that can happen}  

[BaileyMex]

Would you chop from the top or the bottom OOooohhherrrrr

[Mrs O/H/C]

Andy likes to start at the top and work down

[BaileyMex]

 The Old Smoothie

[Escort Mk1 4 Door]

Hardcore!! Lol

 

Cut the coil 3/4 of the way through and then stand back, don't look and hit it with a hammer!! Lol

 

thats what i did lol only ever done it once with them off the car. i cut 3 coils off my ax had to then cut them in to half coils to get the out

 

 

depends if the spring tapers at the ends........

[James HPE Motorsport]

Hardcore!! Lol

 

 

Cut the coil 3/4 of the way through and then stand back, don't look and hit it with a hammer!! Lol

 

thats what i did lol only ever done it once with them off the car. i cut 3 coils off my ax had to then cut them in to half coils to get the out

 

 

depends if the spring tapers at the ends........

 

On an old mondeo of mine, I cut 2 1/2 could and couldn't Get it out so left the extra bit in and cable tied it to the other coils!! Lol

[Vista]

_{after all, what's the worse that can happen}  

 

 

Well, seeing as you asked (and I'm just playing devil's advocate as I know that many cars run chopped springs without an issue) in today's litigation obsessed world if you had an accident and your car was subject to scrutiny afterwards, it could be claimed that the car was dangerously modified. In fact  even if the springs weren't a contributing factor they wouldn't help your case if you end up in court. The same argument is also valid against over stretched tyres.

 

Here's a case a few years ago where the court looked extremely unfavourably on home grown modifications

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/lincolnshire/7788278.stm

 

 

Can of worms opened 

[SmokeEm]

Scott - You sound like my Dad 

[Vista]

Scott - You sound like my Dad 

 

      

 

 I did say I was just playing devil's advocate. You can hardly say I'm opposed to modifying cars, I'm just pointing out the potential pitfall of the "bodge it and scarper" approach 

[Monkfish]

Would you chop from the top or the bottom OOooohhherrrrr

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