How to Cut Coil Springs

Last Updated: September 6, 2024 References

You can lower your car by cutting the coil springs that are compressed in the strut above the car's tires. A professional mechanic often carries out the process of cutting a car's coil springs and lowering the vehicle. With a few tools, such as a coil compressor and angle grinder, you can cut the coil springs yourself. All of the tools and supplies necessary to cut coil springs are available at auto parts stores and home improvement stores. Use these tips to cut coil springs.

Warning: Coil spring cutting is an extremely dangerous DIY job. Only tangential-end coils can be cut to begin with, but even then, you may risk serious injury or death if you do cut your coils and they suddenly collapse or release tension when you reinstall them. ^{[1]
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Research source} It is highly advised that you do not do this at home. ^{[2]
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Steps

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1
Raise the car. Use a jack to raise the area of the car from which you will remove the old coil spring. Follow the instructions that come with your jack. ^{[3]
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- Safety Warning: Just to make it abundantly clear, people have lost fingers (and even died) trying to do this at home. Cut coil springs at your own risk.
2
Remove the tire.
- Take the hub cap off of the wheel.
- Unscrew the nuts and remove the tire.
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The strut holds the coil spring and the shock absorbers over the tires, and allows for a smooth ride. Follow the owner's manual for your car to remove the strut.
Use a tape measure to measure the length of the coil spring while it is still compressed in the extended strut.
Use a coil compressor to remove the coil spring. A coil compressor allows you to remove the spring while it is still compressed, and to safely and gradually decompress the spring. Follow the instructions that come with the coil compressor. ^{[4]
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6
Measure the new coil spring.
- Locate the dead coils on the spring. The dead coils are the coils on one end of the spring that touch each other. These coils do not move with the spring as it tenses and flexes.
- Measure out the distance of the old compressed coil spring from the other end of the spring.
- Add 1 inch (2.5 cm) to that number. If your old compressed coil spring measured 12 inches (30.5 cm), the new length will be 13 inches (33 cm). This measurement is the shortest possible length to which the new coil spring can be cut. If you cut the coil spring shorter than this total measurement, you will not be able to use the new coil spring in your car.
- Mark the place where you will cut the new coil spring with a bright-colored marker.
Use a hacksaw or an angle grinder to cut the coil spring. An angle grinder is a small tool that uses a disc to grind or cut objects. The angle grinder's metal wheel should be 4 inches (10.2 cm) in diameter.
8
Install the coil spring.
- Place the new cut coil spring into the strut.
- Re-install the strut. ^{[5]
  X
  Research source} Follow the owner's manual of your car to re-install the strut.
9
Attach the tire.
- Place the tire back onto the hub.
- Tighten the lug nuts.
Use the jack to lower the car. Follow the instructions that come with your jack.

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Question

How do I make the "dead coil" at the end of the spring?

Community Answer

You can't. That's why you'd better buy shorter springs and lower shocks. Or coilovers.

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Question

Will I have a bouncy ride if I cut my coils off?

Community Answer

If you cut the coil springs you will lose some compression strength. Less force will be required to compress the springs. The ride won't be "bouncy," since the "bounce" is controlled by the dampers. However, cutting the springs will place more strain on the dampers, not to mention you will likely bottom out the shocks, due to lower ride height and less strong springs, so the dampers will probably fail prematurely.

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Question

If the rear springs are cut and the back were not, will that give the front a rough ride?

Community Answer

No it won't, but it will make the car's control uneven due to the ride height.

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Tips

After lowering your car, it is recommended that you take it to a reputable shop to have a full alignment done to avoid experiencing abnormal tire wear.

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If you are cutting coil springs to lower a car, ensure that you are working with the proper type of coil spring. A coil spring with tangential ends is the only type of coil spring that may safely be cut to lower a car. Do not cut a coil spring with square ends or pigtail ends.

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Be sure that all cuts of a coil spring are exact measurements. Uneven cuts may make a vehicle sit unevenly.

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Warnings

Do not use a torch to cut coil springs. The heat from a torch will damage the springs.

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If you are going to cut coil springs, you can only cut coils with tangential ends. No other kind of coil spring is safe to cut under any condition. ^{[6]
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People put themselves at the risk of death if they cut coil springs and reinstall them on their own. The sudden release of tension can cause a cut spring to snap, so do this at your own risk. ^{[7]
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Do not drive with cut coil springs that haven’t been properly tested and rated for the weight of your car. Your vehicle may collapse under its own weight if you cut the coil springs too short.

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Things You'll Need

Coil spring with tangential ends
Jack
Strut
Tape measure
Coil compressor
Bright-colored marker
Hacksaw or angle grinder

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