Lowering Springs

[Heydon]

Hi

Slowly working through all the jobs and enjoying it (well most of it- ha ha)

Fitted 1 inch lower front springs but truck actually sits slightly higher than before rather than lower.

Do new springs take time to settle or are they pretty much sat where they will be now? I suppose that the old springs were tired? They were very old and weren't cut.

If they dont settle (which I assume they dont) then I will try 2 inch lowering springs which I think also means shorter shocks and a load more import PITA

Many Thanks

[forestb]

They might settle a little but I think it mostly has to do with your old springs being so worn out. If you can not return your new springs you might try cutting them in order to see how low you want it. You can cut a little off and measure and cut a little more off and measure. When you get it the height you want it you can either get the right size of coils or keep the cut ones in if it still rides smoothly. From what I have been told 1 coil usually equals 2 inches.

[Heydon]

Thanks forestb.

Springs have been fitted so I wouldn't think trying to return them would be fair.

I only need one more inch of drop so might try what you suggested- nothing to lose.

Do you know if the spring would be man enough with that much removed or will it make little difference?


Thanks again

[forestb]

It should be fine. If my figuring is correct you will only need to cut off one half of a coil. Make sure you use a tool that does not create to much heat. You will want to place a wet towel on the coil to keep it from heating up.

If there is anyone on here that disagrees with me or has a better advice please speak up.

[KJSR]

Did you make sure the coil was seated properly? There is a recess in the coil seat for the "tail" of the spring.

Otherwise cut 1/2 of a coil each time until you get the ride height you want.

[Heydon]

Thank you both.

Yes the spring is seated correctly in the shaped bottom slot and the pig tail is outside / over the protruding circle above ... But I will double double check tomorrow, just to be sure :-)
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[60chevyjim]

make shore the top of the spring is seated correctly too..
if you cut your springs use a cutoff wheel on a 4 inch angle grinder .
it wont heat up the spring .. never cut springs with a torch ..

[WOLFMANmike]

Originally Posted by 60chevyjim

make shore the top of the spring is seated correctly too..
if you cut your springs use a cutoff wheel on a 4 inch angle grinder .
it wont heat up the spring .. never cut springs with a torch ..

lol ahhhhhhh yess the days of the very first time of the idea of saving money and just cutting springs with a torch lol get it all done ... looking great thinking yesssssssssss i did it ! go to bed wake up in the morning and see your newly lowered ride sitting on the bump stops ! lol and then saving money to buy new springs all the while driving around looking like those Hondas bouncing with every lil crack in the road so much you chip a tooth . and are reminded with every bounce that you had this great idea lol .... yes use a cut off wheel if you value your sanity

[Heydon]

Thank you Wolfmanmike and 60chevyjim.


Will take it to a shop to get Spring seating double checked but confident they are sat properly. Will cut a half turn off (without heat lol) and see how it is. If too Choppy will sort new springs.
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[WOLFMANmike]

Originally Posted by Heydon

Thank you Wolfmanmike and 60chevyjim.


Will take it to a shop to get Spring seating double checked but confident they are sat properly. Will cut a half turn off (without heat lol) and see how it is. If too Choppy will sort new springs.
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Your welcome and glad I could make you laugh . It was my intention

[60chevyjim]

to check if the top of the is seated you should be able to get your hand in around the spring between the spring and the frame .
if there is a area where the spring is too close to the frame then the spring may not be centered the on top .

I put new stock springs from LMC in a 65 C-10 that im building for my friend JB.

and I put his old 6cyl springs in my 6cyl 65 C-10 , I cut 1 and a half loops off the bottom of them . I also removed the whole front bump stops off of my truck. I put lowering springs for a 96 impala SS in the back of it.

here is a picture of how it sits now.

[Heydon]

Thanks Chevyjim

That looks spot on!

Went back out and took the spring off to check things as suggested. It was sat correctly, in the dimple at the bottom and centred at the top. One spring does just rub a bit on one edge but both ends are flat when its off the jack.

I double checked and the springs are 1 inch shorter than the stock ones. The only difference is the top pigtail finishes in a slightly different place. This stops it fitting perfectly at the top (there is a slight dimple at the top for the coil end) but its a small difference to the height from what I can tell.

Am going to take try cutting the springs at the bottom when get some time.

Thanks again all- so helpful.

[60chevyjim]

your truck looks great , I really like your wheels too.

[Heydon]

Thank you

Took the family out in it today, good times :-)
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