Don't mistake your age for wisdom. You must think I'm some wet behind the ears college student? Guess again. Most likely it would be your @$$ I would be firing. You certainly showed it here.

 

Ouch!!

 

OLDOC ppro started with the rude comments i always try to help people with info and with mods i've done. whether its right or some people think its wrong all of us are here to learn and share. i don't like fighting with overbearing people i don't think you read my first post on this i said that some cars i would'nt dream of cutting the coils. i simply put that the crossfire is a good candidate for this mod. because in my case i did'nt want the kind of drop offered by aftermarket spring companies it was to much drop and i wanted to keep the same ride. so i accomplished what i set out to do with great success (thanks to brianbraves write up) if you will look in the pictures i used the proper miller special tools for the crossfire to pull the springs. no primitive tools allthough i did feel like using a brick one time to go thru the windshield when i smashed my hand on the lower control arm. at any rate ppro is write about some things and some things he refuses to believe when the proof is there. i'm not asking to believe in alien's i'm just having fun with one of my favorite cars. thanks to the people that have open minds and enjoy personal accomplishments that some people find hard to believe.

 

and ppro i will caution you on refering to my wife.

 

You were the one who offered what kind of car, not I, and I repeated, virtually word for word what you said. Don't try to make this something it's not. It seems to me that you opened up a spectrum of personal issues and I merely corrected your many false assumptions. Grow some skin.

 

Good to see this thread is still going lol opcorn:

 

Guys, Guys, in the famous words of Rodney King...."can't we all just get along". Sorry, couldn't resist. I actually had to unscribe from this tread 'cause my BB was blowing up with e-mails everytime this thread got responded to. LOL. I'm subscribed again. If you guys knew each other, like good friends or something, then I could understand some of the bashing that has taken place, but if you guys don't know each other very well, I would say no bashing, only technical stuff. Now don't get mad at me. I'm gonna go wash the car now..... be nice!! Later!

 

thats a good idea GB maybe i should go wash mine to get my blood pressure back down......j/k it was all in good fun until the family got dragged into it....

 

That does it GB'sXFire, it's in the 20s here and I can't wash my XF. Now you got me cranked up.

 

When in doubt, ask an expert - like a spring manufacturer:


Hello Paul-

I noticed you have not received a response back from you’re last question and I apologize! When you cut a spring the structural integrity is damaged. People will argue this but if you look at most springs there are dead coils and then there are active coils. Each serves a purpose in the working condition of the spring.

Some will argue that the dead coils serve no purpose which is half true, the main purpose for dead coils is nothing other than provide enough free length to keep the spring tight when the perches are at full rebound! Then you have the active coils which are the working portion of the spring!!!

You also have to take into consideration the spring rate is now compromised, when determining spring rate the height of the spring as well as the number of coils is used in the calculation. So when you cut a spring not only are you damaging the strength you are also destroying the handling characteristics!

If you have any questions please let me know,

Sincerely,
Stephanie French
H&R Special Springs
Technical/Sales
E-mail: Stephanie@hrsprings.com
Phone360) 738-8881
Fax: (360) 738-8889

 

I plan to use a coil spring compressor to press the spring enough that it can slide/pop out from its fixture and cut half a coil on all 4.

Is this the right idea/will that concept work? Or is the spring somehow clamped onto the A-Arm?

Thanks!

 

I dont believe you can get a standard spring compressor on the Crossfire springs... You have to use the MB one that goes up through the middle of the spring with 2 plates......

 

Holy ****, I read that whole thread and what a royal waste of time.

Everyone was too busy trying to prove how big their ***** were or how much education or experience they had on the matter, but I only saw one guy actually post a spring rate, and it wasn't Ppro.

It has been over 2 years since this, anyone want to let us know how those completely fouled up, stupid, ruined springs are running after 20-30K miles, I am guess with the correct camber and alignment, they are running like a dream.

Les, would you care to comment on cut SRT springs vs. the eibachs, because old PPro wants to see you in a washboard, and I have a great idea who would be leading after the turn

 

I read this thread before I cut my springs and the truth of the matter is it's always better to use an uncut spring. Having said that, a lot depends on how it's cut. Use a torch and the spring will be ruined and dangerous. Do it in a way that doesn't overheat the spring and make it loose it's strength, well it worked for me. As far as who would be faster, a car with Eibachs or properly cut SRT springs, from my personnel track times and testing on my car, the cut springs would win. Now I'm on K&W's which are an improvement over the cut springs. Until I get the new setup dialed in I can't say by how much. They were worth .6 of a second at the Ponce track, several seconds at the Salinas full course but I'm also more modified than my prior times. I haven't been to the go-kart track yet which is the real challenge and where I have track times from stock to the present. I should have them on the 10th .... with almost used up tires.

Les

 

How about helping us guys who are in the process - I'd like to inquire if a standard spring compressor can be fitted within the suspension to compress the spring in order to slide/pop it out without unbolting anything?

Any guys who have done this already have suggestions?

it sounds like im going to be cutting 1/2 coil on all four, and the fronts sound like a pita

Thanks!!

 

I didn't use a spring compressor, I took the control arms off. The rear is not difficult and after doing it once the second time was a piece of cake. The front was easy to take apart but a bear to put back together. After doing it a couple of times ...... I'd rather spend the money and buy the correct spring compressor. The real problem is many owners have to do it more than once to get the height just right. After cut my springs I had the rears out about 4 times playing with the height using spring pads. I was also using the rear height to tune the handling on the race track. The point being that you may get it perfect the first time or not.

Les

 

long story short it can be done without the proper compressor but anybody who has done this will tell you spend the 180$ and get the right tool. if after your done you dont want it (breaking every man rule!) you can easily sell it on here

 

so it is confirmed, any ol' spring compressor simply will not work and fit on the car?

 

I do not remember exactly when I cut my springs, but it was over a year ago. I can tell you that the characteristics of the springs have not changed over this time. I have a brand new set of Eibach springs in the box that I will be selling as I am completely satisfied with the cut ones. If there is anyone going to the fall dragon that needs a set, let me know and I will work out a deal and bring them with me. Shipping is high on these puppies.

Oh, and I cut a full round out of all 4 of mine.

 

I don;t have any track times to compare with, However based on "seat of the pants" alone It was big improvment with the cut SRT springs over the N/A springs. With the Koni shocks its so good that my wife refuses to ride in the car anymore. Sounds like I have the old car dialed in just right