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Okay, I'll be getting a Mk1 Fiesta soon.... which as standard sits far far far too high. I don't have enough money for lowering springs but i have enough for some new hacksaw blades How safe is it? As the springs arent varying rate it should be okay, but as the spring isnt harder will it hit the bumpstops alot? Adam
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1997 TVR Chimaera 2009 Westfield Megabusa
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onlyrwd
Part of things
'78 Cavalier 4 door / '78 Manta Berlinetta
Posts: 469
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Just done this 2 hours ago... I have found in the past when I chopped standard springs with standard shocks it went very bumpy and bouncy, looked good but drove like sh1te.
I've just done the Cav and fitted stiffer shocks and its ok, don't know exactly why they go funny but being progressive and then not will probably have something to do with it.. ;D
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Mick Gradually trying to own one of everything
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Just done this 2 hours ago... I have found in the past when I chopped standard springs with standard shocks it went very bumpy and bouncy, looked good but drove like sh1te. I've just done the Cav and fitted stiffer shocks and its ok, don't know exactly why they go funny but being progressive and then not will probably have something to do with it.. ;D You sure you didn't cut so far that it sat on bump stops? I've cut hundreds and hundreds of coils over the years, very rarely get a problem. As you cut the coils, the poundage rate effectively goes up due to the same weight over less coils (coils are progressive i.e. they get stiffer the further you squish them), so you do get stiffer suspension. It will also effect the dampers effectiveness as the suspension gets stiffer (under damping). I had an extreme case of this when I fitted uber stiff (2.5 ton)hopping coils to my big merc. It rendered the dampers almost ineffective. As a rule, I usually cut two coils on a strut (less on double wishbone), then see where you are at after that - oh if you use hacksaw blades, you'll be there for weeks. Nice thin cutting disc on a grinder is the only way to go! Unless you drive like a boy racer, standard dampers are usually fine...
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There is nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes
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Spring Choppingarthurbrown
@GUEST
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I'd always prefer to go for properly matched spring / shock combo's. Having had cars in the past with chopped springs and / or lowering springs with standard shocks, I've never been 100% impressed. But this has more to do with the way I drive and the type of surfaces I drive over. If it's just so you look the billy-schizzle pimping round your 'hood, then get chopping. If you're a budding Colin McRae, then fork out for some proper stuff.....
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Ed
Part of things
Posts: 600
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passat with cut springs = WIN golf with cut springs = LOSE so far I'm 50/50
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Progressive / variable rate springs can be cut if you know what you're doing with them and so long as they aren't the beehive or conical type. These you can't really cut because they don't fit the cups after! I'd be nervous aboout chopping variables myself but on a Mk1 Fiesta you'll be fine if they are just single rate and same width top & bottom. Prepare for it to be a bit harsher riding than it was though.
Don't quench them in water like some people recommend though, let them air dry if they get hot (oxy or whatever). Quenching can make them brittle then they can break. Far safer to use a cut off wheel in a grinder.
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1941 Wolseley Not Rod - 1956 Humber Hawk - 1957 Daimler Conquest - 1966 Buick LeSabre - 1968 Plymouth Sport Fury - 1968 Ford Galaxie - 1969 Ford Country Squire - 1969 Mercury Marquis - 1970 Morris Minor - 1970 Buick Skylark - 1970 Ford Galaxie - 1971 Ford Galaxie - 1976 Continental Mark IV - 1976 Ford Capri - 1994 Ford Fiesta
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Okay, grinder it is. I'll have to save up an extra 80p for a cutting disc It's a 1117cc mk1 fiesta so i'm not sure if Colin Mcrae driving is possible anyway! Once I can afford proper shocks and springs they will be replaced. Adam
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1997 TVR Chimaera 2009 Westfield Megabusa
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Mike
East Midlands
Posts: 3,387
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After the spring has been cut to your required length, is there anything else that needs doing to the cut end of the spring? I'm sure i read something about "pigtailing" on here, is that the right word? I'm just curious as to how well the cut end of the spring will sit in its mounts..
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Shortcut
Posted a lot
I won't be there when you cross the road, so always use the Green Cross Code.
Posts: 3,037
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before you cut look how the end of the spring is shapes. You'll need to match this if it is to sit in the cup properly
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This space available to rent. Reach literally dozens of people. Cheap rates!
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*Digs out Mk1 fiesta Haynes Manual from when dad had a fiesta in 1981!* Springs don't need pigtailing, which makes everything quite a bit easier (and cheaper )! Adam
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1997 TVR Chimaera 2009 Westfield Megabusa
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antdat
Part of things
Posts: 712
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i just ordere a set of rear spings for my 200B 25mm lower and 30% uprated cost me £72 all in including postage
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Spring ChoppingDeleted
@Deleted
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Burton do shorter springs for Fiestas. I'm sure the Escort ones were about £15 each so the Fiesta ones must be close to that.
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I cut my springs down, and got them pigtailed (like 104ZS points out) by a professional. They managed to reproduce the shape perfectly. I also made a point of reducing dimensions the bumpstops/bushes. As a result the car drives reasonably but I would never consider driving the car in anger.....
Rmad sent me a magazine article last year on how its done, if you're interested let me know. I can dig it up.
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slater
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 6,390
Club RR Member Number: 78
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Spring Choppingslater
@slater
Club Retro Rides Member 78
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I cut them on my fiesta, i cut 2 coils off the front and it dropped it an inch. I managed to do the fronts with the springs still fitted but the backs need removing (probably just as easy to remove the fronts aswell tbh!) Removing them is a 5min job at the back, just undo the top shock mounts and the beam swings down out of the way, easy! Ive swapped to proper low springs now, they stiffened it up a bit and feel better but the cut ones worked as good as standard ones did so you have nothing to worry about!
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After the spring has been cut to your required length, is there anything else that needs doing to the cut end of the spring? I'm sure i read something about "pigtailing" on here, is that the right word? I'm just curious as to how well the cut end of the spring will sit in its mounts.. mine sit perfectly. using the normal dampers with no probs.but it is a big benz so hurling it about is out of the question and i drive like miss daisy.what others refer to as "pimping" i believe. ;D
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K5
Part of things
Drives Vauxhall Ampera and Kadett E GT and sometimes camp out in our 1988 Classic Hymer
Posts: 579
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Just make sure they don't dislodge when you jack it up, instant MOT fail.
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Retro Classic cars and parts found, bought and sold from Catalunya. PM me for more details.
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...i cut 2 coils off the front and it dropped it an inch. I managed to do the fronts with the springs still fitted... Not under load obviously! Take the struts off!
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HytestA
Part of things
Cant beat a good bit of rubbing :D
Posts: 539
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wire the springs in after they have been cut to stop them jumping out of place whilst hammering the car down country lanes and beware of bouncing all over the place, great fun but can be bad if you find yourself bouncing towards the central reservation of a dual carriageway like I did one night, I fitted uprated shocks and springs after that incident
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