cutting springs

[jas_the_ace]

Hey guys,

Just thought id ask, has anyone here cut their springs?

If so, tell me what it's like :) i'm thinking about doing it to my Merc, just want your advice / experiences.

Cheers,
Jason :)

[RED R8]

DO NOT CUT YOUR SPRINGS save the $400 and maybe your life and buy some lowered springs.

[R Dirty 3]

"Most" mercedes have factory fitted spacers. There is 4 different sizes which you can tell by how many rubber knobs they have on them. 1 is lowest, 4 is biggest. Why not have a look at what you car has and take them out. Cutting springs in a mercedes is a very very bad idea. Dont learn the lesson the hard way!!! Its a lesson that could cost you a hell of a lot more than it should.

[C4B]

Cutting your springs is an excellent way of saving money, because you can't spend any when you're in a box six feet under the ground.

[XCLUB]

Cut my springs once. Did a left turn into a slightly raised driveway and heard the sound of what sounded like a piece of metal hitting the road. Didn't think much of it until i realised my car was slightly sitting lower on one side. Finally clicked and checked to find that my spring was missing. Was only about 20 mtrs down the road so it wasn't a far walk. Try and fit a jack under a car with no spring...:confused::1peek:

[BlackCalaisVVE]

Yep agree with all of the above. My mate had a 1995 E320 merc standard springs and at times it would bottom itself out over big bumps at speed so i would imagine you would have even more problems with this if you cut them. There is so many other reasons why you would not do this.

[Ryzz]

Do not under any circumstances do this. It is illegal to do so and your not just endangering your life, but the life of anyone else who might be around you on the road at the same time.

There are a number of ways to safely lower the height of your car without compromising handling ability or safety. Have a chat to your local mechanic or a suspension place about what you want to achieve height wise and see what your options are.

[R Dirty 3]

I really do hope you take these comments on board. I personally dont care about the lagality....most modded cars are illegal in some way, but the safety issue for you and every other person on the road should rate a very high consideration. Also, can i ask why you postd this comment on a dominantly holden forum? lol

[travyss]

Nah mate cutting springs is just plain unsafe practice - what you want to do is this:
1. Jack car up
2. Use oxy to heat springs up
3. Lower car to desired height
4. Let springs cool
5. Proceed to next corner of car

Just jokes...Mate, just buy some King springs for $200 on ebay!

Disclaimer:
This method should only be performed by trained idiots. It also may, or may not, neglect the careful heat treatment operations that go into spring manufacture. Quenching and tempering operations may need to be performed to restore ductility and hence performance to the spring.

[DaveHAT]

Jason,

Many years ago in a moment of boredom I cut the springs on a Suzuki Baleno to "lower it" and I don't recommend it. It did lower the car which looked the shit but the ride quality was nothing short of attrocious. This led to a whining noise eminating from the passenger seat ... the rest you don't want to know :lmao:

By cutting the spring you end up with the spring riding in the wrong part of the coil which WILL effect handling and could become unsafe.

As I understand it most springs have the initial compression set for "comfort" and the more it compresses the "firmer" it gets. By cutting them you remove the "comfort" part and the ride will probably be harsher and akin to "rice bounce" :smilesandbanana:.

If you can't afford to do it properly ... don't do it. :)

[FANG IT 350]

dont be a cheap skate mate,your dealing with your life as well as others on the road:fewl:

[R Dirty 3]

Jason,

Many years ago in a moment of boredom I cut the springs on a Suzuki Baleno to "lower it" and I don't recommend it. It did lower the car which looked the shit but the ride quality was nothing short of attrocious. This led to a whining noise eminating from the passenger seat ... the rest you don't want to know :lmao:

By cutting the spring you end up with the spring riding in the wrong part of the coil which WILL effect handling and could become unsafe.

As I understand it most springs have the initial compression set for "comfort" and the more it compresses the "firmer" it gets. By cutting them you remove the "comfort" part and the ride will probably be harsher and akin to "rice bounce" :smilesandbanana:.

If you can't afford to do it properly ... don't do it. :)

I think i take offence to the "rice bounce" thing!!! Yes, im a ricer!!! LOL

You are right though. Most jap car are way too highly sprung.

Also with what you were talking about comfort and firm setting in a spring...you are right if its a progressive rate spring. (coils wound tightly at one end, and opened up further towards the middle to the other end.) The Merc wont have that set up.

Cheers
Brad

[Wonky]

Only idiots do that nowadays....... :weirdo: Am glad you're nowhere near my area if you do go ahead and do it.........

[TommyVTss]

mate dont do it i did it in my vn and look back now and realise how dangerous it was + it will stuff stuff like struts etc DONT do it...


tom

[jas_the_ace]

Cheers fellas,

Thanks alot for the advice, now im going to make some enquiries about King Springs!

Ta
-Jas

[Toddler78]

:slap::nono:
is all I have to say on the subject

[cvy57l]

For the sake of $200-$400 dont risk your life... Not a smart idea. There are pleanty of differnt manufactures on the market to suit your budget.

[steane]

The more you spend on your suspension the better it will turn out. You'll be amazed what a suspension guru and some quality german components can do for a car. Like the other guys have said, cutting your springs, apart from upsetting all of your suspension geometry will eventually get you killed.

[SV346]

Go some eibach springs and bilstein struts, they have a set up for the mercedes, and they are a damned good product. Also uprate your sway bars while you are at it, and replace all bushing with nolethane because the standard ones will not take the extra force from the lowered stuff.

[iamhappy46]

Go some eibach springs and bilstein struts, they have a set up for the mercedes, and they are a damned good product. Also uprate your sway bars while you are at it, and replace all bushing with nolethane because the standard ones will not take the extra force from the lowered stuff.

Yeah, the Eibach springs alone would make the car sit lower and maintain the same ride comfort. Ask them and they can usually tailor make the springs to suit your needs.

[BLKVYHSV]

For the sake of having your car sitting nice and low and making it look "pretty"..its not worth cutting the springs imo as your not only risking your own life but others. As a few ppl have suggested, maybe save the few hundred bucks and get yourself some lowered springs. Plus the look of sitting on the road in a car thats had cut springs bouncing around the place like its in an airbag comp doesnt look the goods!! sorry mate i hope not been harsh!!

Cheers Kurt

[Vyboy]

do not cut your springs car will handle like a poo on a stick just save the money and get some kings