Cutting the springs is a bad idea. The original spring was engineered to handle weight, ride height, etc. When it's cut, the load that the removed part handled is now transferred to the remaining spring. Something it was not designed for.

Also, cutting the springs affects the suspension geometry. This can affect ride and handling.

Thnner spring pads only affect the body ride height and does not change suspension geometry.

It is your car, do as you wish.

If it were me, I would do as Brian said and get thinner spring pads, or buy some Vogtlands of of someone.

__________________
RRGrassi


70's Southern Pacific #5608 Fairmont A-4 MOW car

13 VW JSW 2.0 TDI 193K, Tuned with DPF and EGR Delete.

91 W124 300D Turbo replaced, Pressure W/G actuator installed. 210K

90 Dodge D250 5.9 Cummins/5 speed. 400K

Whether you use thinner spring pads or cut the existing spring..........the effect is the same..........a change in the suspension geometry..........specifically camber.

I forgot about the Independent Rear Suspension. Solid axle does not have the camber issue.

__________________
RRGrassi


70's Southern Pacific #5608 Fairmont A-4 MOW car

13 VW JSW 2.0 TDI 193K, Tuned with DPF and EGR Delete.

91 W124 300D Turbo replaced, Pressure W/G actuator installed. 210K

90 Dodge D250 5.9 Cummins/5 speed. 400K

That makes zero sense. So because I'm not stupid enough to do such a dangerous modification to my car, I shouldn't warn other people that cutting springs is dangerous? You're talking just to be argumentative and stir up a chit storm, again.

Changing headlights isn't even remotely comparable to hacking a key component of the suspension. It seems logical that if suspension mod shops won't even do this, there must be a good reason.

If you're going to lower your car that dramatically, be prepared to replace your axle boots shortly after if they're original. Most of them are weak and inflexible.

__________________
1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

You made a claim of absolute authority. There is no dispute to that.

You don't have the knowledge or experience or data to make such a claim which is why I made the statement.

You use the suspension mod shop as your data as to why it's unsafe. Does the suspension mod shop have an engineer on staff to make the calculation? Do most of the people who go to the suspension mod shop seek to lower the vehicle by a significant percentage of the available spring height? Answers to these questions might lead you to the conclusion that the suspension mod shop is making the right choice but their decision is based upon liability and not engineering considerations.

The modification might be perfectly acceptable or it might be completely unsafe. The act of cutting the spring doesn't necessarily compromise the safety of the spring. It all depends on how much spring is remaining to support the vehicle.

I intent to cut one coil from the front springs on the SD. Unlike you, I've done the engineering calculations and have determined that the remaining coils can easily handle another 6% load. So, I'm confident that it's not unsafe.

You can do whatever you like on your own vehicle. However, you won't be permitted to make factually incorrect statements on here without a challenge.

If you wish to review a post that is factually correct, please see post #16. This post shows the dangers of cutting the spring but it doesn't exert absolute authority via the use of the word never. I'm fine with that.

nah MB was smart enough to put in liners, and I keep my tools in a soft bag over the spare not in the wells. IF ONLY the coupe would build enough speed and corner well enough to worry about tool weight shift , I would happily remove the tools.........

__________________

1982 300CD Turbo (Otis, "ups & downs") parts for sale
2003 TJ with Hemi (to go anywhere, quickly) sold
2001 Excursion Powerstroke (to go dependably)
1970 Mustang 428SCJ (to go fast)
1962 Corvette LS1 (to go in style)
2001 Schwinn Grape Krate 10spd (if all else fails)

So, again, because I'm not stupid enough to do such a dangerous modification to my car, I shouldn't warn other people that cutting springs is dangerous? Does that mean people that haven't done Crack Cocaine shouldn't tell people not to smoke it? Does that mean people that haven't been in a high speed accident shouldn't tell other people about the dangers of speeding? Does that mean people that haven't shot shouldn't tell others that pointing a gun at somebody is dangerous?

EXACTLY. If they don't want to take the risk of a professionally cut spring popping out and causing somebody to get killed in a car accident, why should anyone do differently? Just because you're not a professional doesn't give you a license to put other people's lives at risk with poor choices.

Yes, it does. See the flat ends of the springs? Cutting springs means loss of that flat surface for the springs to seat in place.


I'm smart enough to know better than to do DANGEROUS hacking to key components of my car. There is no "safe" amount to cut off. Its not the load capacity that is the issue, its how the springs seat, how they are secured, how they flex and if they can shift position.

Ignorant "challenges" are no challenge at all. The only one making DANGEROUS statements here is YOU for condoning illegal and dangerous suspension hacking.

He is saying the EXACT same thing as me. Your bias shines through, BC. You can be fine with the truth, as long as its not coming from me. This is the kind of moderator bias that is turning informed people away from the forum to other alternatives (forums).

There is nothing to stop you from hacking your car however you want. Hell, while you're condoning dangerous and illegal things, why don't you go smoke a crack pipe while driving 120mph and pointing loaded guns at people? I've never done any of that so I'm "not qualified" to say if any of that is safe.

You can warn other people all you wish. What you fail to grasp, and I'll not argue it further, is the absolute statements that you make. Your absolute statements are necessarily false under certain conditions.


One end has the ground surface, the opposite end is simply a turned coil. You are factually incorrect in your statement.

Actually, you're not. You have no training as an engineer and you don't have the slightest idea how to calculate load on a coil. Basically, you're just another member spouting off his opinion without any facts. That's fine.......it's your vehicle......do as you wish.



You're free to participate in any forum of your choosing. If you cannot understand a proper engineering decision from a professional engineer, I'd encourage you to find another forum. This one is clearly not for you.

Should you continue to question my moderation capabilites when I've conclusively proven that your position is not correct, I'll arrange that you find another forum. I really don't get paid enough money to put up with abuse from you.

Why are you changing the original design of the coupe? I have owned three 300CD's - all of which I bought new, right off the showroom floor at the Dallas MB dealership. They all rolled off the lot sitting high in the rear. When all things are right with the world, they sit high in the rear - when I see a coupe with the butt dragging, I automatically think the car is ill maintained and has bad rear shocks.

__________________
Houston, Texas
1984 300CD 235K miles, Elvira, one owner
1987 300TD 180K miles
1974 TR6 78K miles Sarah Jane, one owner
OBK #27

That is a factually incorrect statement. What I stated is fact. Cutting coils is illegal and dangerous to the driver and everyone else on the road.

Please be more observant. Notice that the end of the coil is level with the last turn. Its not flat but its also not sticking up like a normal turn.

That is a factually incorrect statement and not even remotely relevant to the discussion. Nobody gives a rats behind if you can calculate something when it shouldn't be done in the first place. Have you calculated how much crack a person can smoke without their teeth falling out?

I'm sorry, but you're a proper engineer making a mistake. You're not the first. Thats not my opinion, thats reality.

"Conclusively proven"? You have proven nothing at all. All you've done is state YOUR OWN OPINION, exactly like you're blasting me for doing.

I have yet to see you post any of your "calculations", attempts at cutting springs, proof that cutting springs is safe or that its not illegal (I will post some reference links on that subject later tonight, I have to leave for work at the moment). You're always pushing me to do that when making my arguments yet you don't even do it yourself with your own arguments?

I don't care if you challenge my statements, but not if you're going to be hypocritical and do the exact the same thing you're criticizing me for doing. I've been wrong before and I've admitted when I make a mistake, but I know for FACT I'm right about the dangerous nature of cutting springs so back off. If you want to cut your own springs, go for it. I prefer to keep my suspension working properly and safely.

One quick reference before I leave for work.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=149919
Examples.

Forced, you are fantastic. Please don't ever leave the forum. You may be stern in your opinions, and don't sugar coat anything, but usually offer valuable opinions.

I get along with BC just fine, but sometimes... Eh, its been discussed before, I sure don't want his job, and he does as good as anybody could. It would take a saint to moderate without any bias, and I think BC tempers it fairly well.

I agree with forced with this one, attack the merits, not the man. You may not be saying "you don't know jack, you young whippersnapper", but we all know that's what you're inferring. Can you warn yourself, BC, please?

__________________
1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

What you stated might be true. It's certainly not factual in all cases.

I've installed four of them on the SDL's........two from Meyle........two from Coil Spring Specialties. None of them had the type of coil as you describe and is shown in the photos. The coils simply stops. If they were of such design, I'd agree with you.

Again, it's YOUR conclusion that it shouldn't be done.........a conclusion not based upon any analysis or engineering data.

Your analogies really don't make much sense.

That's your opinion without any data. Your certainly entitled to it.

I've conclusively proven that a spring can be modified and that the remaining spring can handle the load. You choose not to believe it. That's your perogative.


I'm also away from my data.........I'll post it when I return. If you've got any data on the illegality of cutting springs, I'm all ears.


You can do as you wish. My only criticism is the fact that you take a position that is 100% against cutting a spring by any amount when you have no supporting data to show that the spring will fail when you do it. Therefore, by definition, it's not factual.

BTW, folks have been cutting springs on the forum for years to try to reduce the height on the front of the W-126. None of them have had a spring failure as far as I am aware. Clearly, the spring has more of a safety factor than you realize.

Yep, you're probably right.

The fact that you have absolutely no engineering knowledge or training shouldn't be mentioned in our discussions.

I'll also refrain from reminding you that I have a degree in Mechanical Engineering and have been practicing it for 30 years.