|
View unanswered posts | View active topics
Author |
Message |
richie_p
|
Post subject: Cutting springs, can I get away with it? Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2012 8:15 pm |
|
RL Regular |
 |
Joined: Thu Dec 29, 2011 10:23 pm Posts: 293 Location: Milton keynes
Vehicle: polo mk3
|
Hi ive just got a mk3 polo, really want to drop it to the floor, but wont be able to afford coilovers for a while, ... Can I get away with chopping the springs, or will it be to bouncy?, I've never done it b4 :/, please can someone help
_________________ http://www.mybannermaker.com
|
|
Top |
|
 |
c4llum
|
Post subject: Re: Cutting springs, can I get away with it? Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2012 8:52 pm |
|
RL Poster |
 |
Joined: Sun Aug 22, 2010 8:53 pm Posts: 241 Location: dewsbury baby :')
Vehicle: golf :)
|
as long as you don't go driving round like a prick and jumping the car, imo, you'll be fine dude, as you shorten a spring, it does get stiffer, so the ride will be prettybouncy, but i feel i may need to state basic mot rules for my piece of mind, if the springs don't seat properly when you let the car down off a jack, it fails, therefore, if you cut your springs too short, and vosa/traffic officers find em, you could walk away with a vdn, or you could get your car taken away, personally, i've run cut springs, with no problems, and on previous cars, i had to hold the spring in place until it was in the cups (careful if you do this, i have trapped my hand in between top spring cup and arch once, faaaiiiilll! ) but i drive like 5mph everywhere  ahah, at the end of the day, it's your choice, the law's there (from my own research) but imo, cutting springs is fine, disclaimer: I am in no way encouraging anyone to break the law, it's there for a reason!
_________________
 +1 post
|
|
Top |
|
 |
richie_p
|
Post subject: Re: Cutting springs, can I get away with it? Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2012 9:10 pm |
|
RL Regular |
 |
Joined: Thu Dec 29, 2011 10:23 pm Posts: 293 Location: Milton keynes
Vehicle: polo mk3
|
Haha cheers pal , yeah I know its illegal, as I'm a mechanic, I've just never cut corners before, but tempted to as it looks gash at standard height loll 
_________________ http://www.mybannermaker.com
|
|
Top |
|
 |
richie_p
|
Post subject: Re: Cutting springs, can I get away with it? Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2012 9:12 pm |
|
RL Regular |
 |
Joined: Thu Dec 29, 2011 10:23 pm Posts: 293 Location: Milton keynes
Vehicle: polo mk3
|
Its just someone told me that if I cut them the ride will just bounce really bad, and not be stiff and rigid as im used to lol
_________________ http://www.mybannermaker.com
|
|
Top |
|
 |
Nat (Shaggy)
|
Post subject: Re: Cutting springs, can I get away with it? Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2012 9:23 pm |
|
Established RL Member |
 |
 |
Joined: Sun Aug 07, 2011 5:20 pm Posts: 1344 Location: Leyland, Lancashire
Vehicle: B4 Passrat wagon
|
Kinda half true tbh.... it'll give you lows (Obviously) but as the standard springs are softer you will still have 'bounce' but, only going over speed bumps etc... normal road driving it'll feel the same(ish) depending how low you go.
_________________ Its my Mums fault, she used to say "Grow up Stupid".....so I did http://www.facebook.com/#!/Shaggy1981 @NatHolloway on Instagram
|
|
Top |
|
 |
richie_p
|
Post subject: Re: Cutting springs, can I get away with it? Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2012 9:24 pm |
|
RL Regular |
 |
Joined: Thu Dec 29, 2011 10:23 pm Posts: 293 Location: Milton keynes
Vehicle: polo mk3
|
Also, do you think its possible to cut the springs while there on the car, save time lol, I was thinking of taki.g the wheel off and just cutting the spring and pulling the excess out :/ lol risky ???
_________________ http://www.mybannermaker.com
|
|
Top |
|
 |
Nat (Shaggy)
|
Post subject: Re: Cutting springs, can I get away with it? Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2012 9:41 pm |
|
Established RL Member |
 |
 |
Joined: Sun Aug 07, 2011 5:20 pm Posts: 1344 Location: Leyland, Lancashire
Vehicle: B4 Passrat wagon
|
Thats the only way i've ever done it  Can't stress just how carefull you need to be when cutting them though... there's a lot of pressure in those springs. Trick is to cut almost all the way through and then use a block of wood and a hammer to break the remaning spring. The bit you've chopped will most prob get wedged/stuck in the remaining spring so you'll have to cut it in half to remove it. Be sure to cut full coils out too, not half or it'll not seat properly. Be carefull dude
_________________ Its my Mums fault, she used to say "Grow up Stupid".....so I did http://www.facebook.com/#!/Shaggy1981 @NatHolloway on Instagram
|
|
Top |
|
 |
richie_p
|
Post subject: Re: Cutting springs, can I get away with it? Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2012 9:44 pm |
|
RL Regular |
 |
Joined: Thu Dec 29, 2011 10:23 pm Posts: 293 Location: Milton keynes
Vehicle: polo mk3
|
|
Top |
|
 |
c4llum
|
Post subject: Re: Cutting springs, can I get away with it? Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2012 10:14 pm |
|
RL Poster |
 |
Joined: Sun Aug 22, 2010 8:53 pm Posts: 241 Location: dewsbury baby :')
Vehicle: golf :)
|
|
Top |
|
 |
gingergman
|
Post subject: Re: Cutting springs, can I get away with it? Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2012 10:24 pm |
|
RL Poster |
 |
Joined: Fri Nov 06, 2009 2:42 pm Posts: 166 Location: milton keynes
Vehicle: escort turbo cab, renault 5
|
ive cut springs before, on my first skoda i cut them on the car, and the ride was fine, second one i also cut them on the car but fooking hell it was a bouncy ride, i assumed it must be the springs more worn as the car had done double the miles of the first one. its on coilovers now and tbh its still quite bouncy. id defo cut em tho lol
_________________
|
|
Top |
|
 |
Nat (Shaggy)
|
Post subject: Re: Cutting springs, can I get away with it? Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2012 10:27 pm |
|
Established RL Member |
 |
 |
Joined: Sun Aug 07, 2011 5:20 pm Posts: 1344 Location: Leyland, Lancashire
Vehicle: B4 Passrat wagon
|
Good chance your cutting disc will shatter if you chop it all in one (Not your brake disc lol), plus the rebounds likely to smash the grinder into your face and possibly take out a limb.... but don't let that scare ya lol Start off small, 2 coils to start, 3/4's of the way through then tw@t it with a lump hammer to break the spring. Once you've got the tension out of the spring its a doddle... its just that inital cut. You'll be fine mate, i have faith 
_________________ Its my Mums fault, she used to say "Grow up Stupid".....so I did http://www.facebook.com/#!/Shaggy1981 @NatHolloway on Instagram
|
|
Top |
|
 |
c4llum
|
Post subject: Re: Cutting springs, can I get away with it? Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2012 10:28 pm |
|
RL Poster |
 |
Joined: Sun Aug 22, 2010 8:53 pm Posts: 241 Location: dewsbury baby :')
Vehicle: golf :)
|
|
Top |
|
 |
richie_p
|
Post subject: Re: Cutting springs, can I get away with it? Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2012 10:38 pm |
|
RL Regular |
 |
Joined: Thu Dec 29, 2011 10:23 pm Posts: 293 Location: Milton keynes
Vehicle: polo mk3
|
Cool, good links dude, thanks guys, now trying to decide how low I can go b4i damage the shocks :/ lol
_________________ http://www.mybannermaker.com
|
|
Top |
|
 |
richie_p
|
Post subject: Re: Cutting springs, can I get away with it? Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2012 10:55 pm |
|
RL Regular |
 |
Joined: Thu Dec 29, 2011 10:23 pm Posts: 293 Location: Milton keynes
Vehicle: polo mk3
|
What does mtfu mea  n, and yeah deff gonna get coilovers for it, but there like 170 lol, if you ever see any cheap, let me kno plz 
_________________ http://www.mybannermaker.com
|
|
Top |
|
 |
richie_p
|
Post subject: Re: Cutting springs, can I get away with it? Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2012 11:04 pm |
|
RL Regular |
 |
Joined: Thu Dec 29, 2011 10:23 pm Posts: 293 Location: Milton keynes
Vehicle: polo mk3
|
|
Top |
|
 |
richie_p
|
Post subject: Re: Cutting springs, can I get away with it? Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2012 11:05 pm |
|
RL Regular |
 |
Joined: Thu Dec 29, 2011 10:23 pm Posts: 293 Location: Milton keynes
Vehicle: polo mk3
|
|
Top |
|
 |
cooky monster
|
Post subject: Re: Cutting springs, can I get away with it? Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2012 6:44 pm |
|
RL Newbie |
 |
Joined: Thu Dec 15, 2011 10:38 am Posts: 2
|
FOR WHAT ITS WORTH,,,why dont you just buy a set of lowering springs for £60 off the net. ?? sorted.
|
|
Top |
|
 |
richie_p
|
Post subject: Re: Cutting springs, can I get away with it? Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2012 8:30 pm |
|
RL Regular |
 |
Joined: Thu Dec 29, 2011 10:23 pm Posts: 293 Location: Milton keynes
Vehicle: polo mk3
|
lol. im skint at the mo, so jus thought i would jus cut them for now, and dont think i could get springs to go low enough on the back , but am gona save up for coilovers  i just couldnt drive it how high it was, lol it looked horrible
_________________ http://www.mybannermaker.com
|
|
Top |
|
 |
Ed@AC
|
Post subject: Re: Cutting springs, can I get away with it? Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2012 10:54 am |
|
RL Poster |
 |
 |
Joined: Thu Feb 11, 2010 5:58 pm Posts: 242
|
Some springs you can get away with cutting slightly, if its a progressive spring (which most are) then you are going to be affecting the springs rate, which will affect how the car feels. As others have said, you will likely find it to be more bouncy.
For the love of god do it off the car, cutting them while they are under pressure/tension is quite frankly dangerous and asking for injury. Whip them off, and lop off a coil or two.
An MOT station should fail any cut spring, as it is classed as a broken spring.
What you are calling a Mk3 polo is actually a Mk2F going by your sig (the Mk3 is actually the 6n polo, anything pre 94 is actually a Mk2). Your front struts incorporate the hub "knuckle" assembly which is why they are so rdiculously expensive.
Finally, rather than cut springs, and if you cannot find the cash for new springs, search around the forums and ebay for second hand lowering springs - they do come up and you will pick them up cheaply. Far safer than cut springs IMO (and before anyone jumps on me for that comment, I have and DO run cut springs, but to me it is not ideal).
_________________
|
|
Top |
|
 |
richie_p
|
Post subject: Re: Cutting springs, can I get away with it? Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2012 2:15 pm |
|
RL Regular |
 |
Joined: Thu Dec 29, 2011 10:23 pm Posts: 293 Location: Milton keynes
Vehicle: polo mk3
|
Ah thanks, I had a 6n polo b4 this, but the guy told me this was a mk 3 lol, I wasnt to sure lol, . I was looking at second hand springs but I couldnt find any low enough, as it was stupidly high, I didnt think 40 or 50 ml would be quite enough, I had a go at cutting the springs while on the car, everyone said its easy that way, and I must say it wasnt to bad, the main thing is that I didny know how much I needed to go, so I cut a coil and tested it, where as if I haf taken it out (The proper way) would have had to put it in and out a few times to see how much to cut, and I was working in the rain lol. It worked out pretty good although the first time I let the jack down and allined the nsr spring, it must not have been sitting properly as I gave it a test drive and heard a bang, the spring had jumped out, but I sorted it, and all has been ok since
_________________ http://www.mybannermaker.com
|
|
Top |
|
 |
Who is online |
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 11 guests |
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot post attachments in this forum
|
|
|