Scott Stiles wrote:
>
> So, down to my question: How do you cut springs? Can you do it w/a hacksaw
> (& the proper blade)? How 'bout a dremel?

I guess if you're taking them off the car, a hacksaw will work.

But- if you have a dremel, USE IT!
Get the extra-heavy-duty cutting disks.
You'll bust through the spring in about 60 seconds.

With the normal-duty disks, it took about 15 minutes.

--
Scott Solmonson  // Technical Support \\ Resonate Inc.
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F: 650.967.6561                   /|\
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"I just came out of the tubes, man."
"Iss Staub Mugenbursche!"

Uwe Ross wrote:
>
> > From: "Anonymous" <xy>
> >
> > Anyway, I notice a lot of you have cut your stock springs, but I was under
> > the impression and have been told by people that this is not a good thing to
> > do.  Can't this lead to the springs sagging or just plain being unsafe?
>
> I would not recommend lowering more that 1.0" this way.  And if you're
> going to go to the trouble of taking everything apart, spend the extra
> $400 on a set of Bilsteins, you'll never regret it.

I agree with Uwe-

But as a side note- if for some reason you can't buy new struts and just want to cut the springs:
You can do it without taking anything apart.
(Like I did)

Rent some spring compressors for $5, jack the car up, remove the wheel, and break out the Dremel.
You *will* need some sort of power tool, you can't fit a hacksaw in there.

--
Scott Solmonson  // Technical Support \\ Resonate Inc.
                                  \|/
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F: 650.967.6561                   /|\
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"I just came out of the tubes, man."
"Iss Staub Mugenbursche!"

"Brian R." wrote:
>
> To even further freak out the nay-sayers, I am going to attempt this
> "lowering" without even removing the shocks from the car (sounds kind of
> like a magic trick), as I think Mr. Solmonson did (Scott, feel free to step
> in on my behalf).

Yea- fight the power!

(This info is for the *fronts*- I assume the backs are similar)

To do it, you need something like a Dremel.
Get the super-heavy-duty cutting disks.

You can only remove x.5 coils. (.5, 1.5, 2.5 etc.)
The reason for this is that the coils sit the same way on both sides of the car.
Sitting in the driver's seat- the right side's coil spring ends on the right side.
(On the *outside*- easy to get at)
The left side's coil spring also ends on the right side.
(But because it's on the *left* side of the car, it's on the *inside*- impossible to get to)
The only way to do it is to cut the front of one spring and the back of the other.

This first side, I didn't even use any spring compressors.
You do not want to do this.
Use *some sort* of spring compressing device.

It's easiest to start the cut with the spring compressors still loose.
You can go almost all the way through without using them.
You'll get to enjoy the pretty sparks for about 30 seconds.
If you've cut off 1.5 coils like I did- You will now have 1.5 coils of your spring sitting around the strut tube.
Now you get to cut the piece you just cut off in half.
(To get it out of there)

Pull it out, rotate the spring so the bottom matches up with the little nub.
(You'll se what I mean)
Loosen the compressors and you're done.

If you want to see what my car looks like with 1.5 coils cut from just the front,
Look here: 

--
Scott Solmonson  // Technical Support \\ Resonate Inc.
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V: 408.548.5651              scosolresonate
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"If you're wondering what is wrong with her...
 Bet you think I've almost lost my mind..."

If you get a simple metal cutting blade for your skill saw, or better yet,
your 10" mitre saw, the process is quite easy, as I have done this many
times.   Just make sure you cut straight, not have any flammable material
nearby on the other side of you from the blade, since a ton of sparks fly
quite far, and you will do just fine.   If you cut the springs with a torch
(i.e., heat the metal), it will weaken rather fast, that's a certainty.

> ----------
> From: 	Phillip Strauss[SMTP:pstraussacad.stedwards]
> Sent: 	Tuesday, June 13, 2000 12:03 PM
> To: 	vboruvkadev.tivoli; spokes
> Subject: 	RE: Spokes: Spring Spacers
> 
> I wouldn't cut the springs with a torch.  I've heard that the heat will
> goof
> up the rate of the spring.  There is a specific tool made to cut springs
> (probably hydraulic).  I know a guy in Dallas who cuts a couple sets of
> springs a month and this info is coming from what he has told me.
> I would think the saw would be okay.
> 
> 
> >
> >
> > On Tue, 13 Jun 2000, Jon Mayfield wrote:
> >
> > > Thanks for the help everybody who emailed me...
> > >
> > > I went ahead and ordered 4. They are so cheap I figured if it doesn't work
> > > out its no big loss. I realize this isn't a performance solution, but it'll
> > > have to do in the meantime.
> > >
> > > BTW, how exactly do you cut springs? Hacksaw?  If this doesn't work I'll
> > > hack up my stock springs, which are probably better than my eibachs anyways.
> > >
> > > Jon
> > > '00 Camaro SS
> > >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: Jon [mailto:jmxaustin.rr]
> > > Subject: Spokes: Spring Spacers
> > >
> > > I need to regain about half an inch on my car's ride height, but I can't
> > > afford new springs right now and the stock springs raise it 1.5" which is
> > > way too much.
> > >
> > > Are these what I'm looking for? Anybody used 'em before?
> > > http://www.jcwhitney.com/item.jhtml?ITEMID=4684
> > >
> > > Jon
> > > '00 Camaro SS
> > > http://home.austin.rr.com/jmx
> > >
> 
> --
> 
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
> --
> --------------
> 
> Vitek Boruvka -  Tivoli Systems (512)-436-8765 (User Admin Group)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
> --
> --------------
> 
> CP #46 - The 'Nanar: 
> AXware AutoX Software: 
> SPOKES AutoX Club    : 

ya'll frighten me

Cutting springs is a simple matter of using a grinder
I takes about 10 seconds

Get the thin cutting blade

Springs are made of tool grade steel, do not heat them, cuz that is how
they make tool grade steel.

Charles Tarket wrote:

> i used my 4.5" grinder and a metal cutting wheel to cut mine on my stang. took about
> 2mins. for each spring.
> ct
>
> Edrington wrote:
>
> > If you use a hacksaw, get a good blade.  Go for the most
> > expensive one that you can find.  Cheap one's won't cut it,
> > so to speak!
> >
> > On Tue, 13 Jun 2000, Jon Mayfield wrote:
> >
> > > Thanks for the help everybody who emailed me...
> > >
> > > I went ahead and ordered 4. They are so cheap I figured if it doesn't work
> > > out its no big loss. I realize this isn't a performance solution, but it'll
> > > have to do in the meantime.
> > >
> > > BTW, how exactly do you cut springs? Hacksaw?  If this doesn't work I'll
> > > hack up my stock springs, which are probably better than my eibachs anyways.
> > >
> > > Jon
> > > '00 Camaro SS
> > >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: Jon [mailto:jmxaustin.rr]
> > > Subject: Spokes: Spring Spacers
> > >
> > > I need to regain about half an inch on my car's ride height, but I can't
> > > afford new springs right now and the stock springs raise it 1.5" which is
> > > way too much.
> > >
> > > Are these what I'm looking for? Anybody used 'em before?
> > > http://www.jcwhitney.com/item.jhtml?ITEMID=4684
> > >
> > > Jon
> > > '00 Camaro SS
> > > http://home.austin.rr.com/jmx

Dremel too weak, takes to long
Us a grinder thin cutting blade.
Makes short work of springs

Bill Agha wrote:

> The best way to do it is using a Drimmel tool.
>
> --- Stephen Cranford <stephen_cranfordyahoo> wrote:
> > --- Jon Mayfield <jmayfieldacclaim> wrote:
> > >
> > > BTW, how exactly do you cut springs? Hacksaw?  If
> > > this doesn't work I'll
> > > hack up my stock springs, which are probably better
> > > than my eibachs anyways.
> > >
> > > Jon
> > > '00 Camaro SS
> >
> > I've used a 4" grinding wheel in the past.  I always
> > set my springs in a bucket of water to help disperse
> > the heat and used a rag saoked in water to cool of
> > the
> > area I was cutting every now and then.  I doubt I
> > cut
> > for more than 30 seconds at a time in order to keep
> > the heat down.  Takes a little while, but the spring
> > stayed cool to the touch so  iguess it worked!
> >
> >
> >
> > =====
> > Stephen Cranford
> > http://austin.f-body.org/members/cranford
> > 97 Tahoe  2WD/4dr  Your basic black
> > 90 RS L03/T5 Blue w/black stripes
> > 86 IROC Red L69/700R4/3.73
> > "I don't suffer from my insanity...I enjoy every
> > minute of it!"