cutting hotchkis springs

[Fastrun72]

Does anyone recommend cutting their hotchkis springs to get the ride height they desire. i have a 1972 Camaro with the Hotchkis TVS kit but still would like to drop the front at least 1". I have thought about running drop spindles but they are all a 2" drop, which i think will be too much,plus i would rather put that money toward other upgrades. So i am entertaining the idea of cutting a half coil off instead. The springs have been on for a year now so i don't think they are going to settle much more.

[68Formula]

If one of your upgrades includes tubular control arms, you might want to check with some manufacturers first. I know for example on DSE 1st GENs they drop the pocket a little lower than stock which in effect lowers the car, and at the same time allows you to keep the same spring travel and rate.

[kochevy67]

Definitely call Hotchkis. DO NOT CUT a half coil off it will drop the car too low. There is a formula that they have for doing this. This is what they told me because I am doing the same thing.

You are measuring total spring height. Stand the spring on end and measure the height. Whatever is cut off the spring is doubled in ride height. To drop the car 1 inch cut ½ inch out of total height of spring. Cut the spring on the bottom end not the top. For example if you cut 1 inch you lower the car 2 inches.

Hope this helps.

[monteboy84]

What kochevy said^

This is due to the motion ratio of your front arms. Also keep in mind that removing coils will stiffen the spring so your ride may change slightly.

-matt

[Fastrun72]

You are right KoChevy67.... i called Hotchkis and they told me exactly what you said. Thanks for the correct advice! Now where is my cutting torch(just kidding haha!)

[Hotchkis]

This just goes to show how helpful all the members are here on Pro-Touring.com.

FastRun72,

Thanks for calling us to confirm the information. We’re glad you’re doing your homework, rather than cutting first and asking questions later. Do you have any pictures of your current ride height?

[NASH JUDGE]

can you use anything besides a torch to cut the springs ? or are they just too hard and a torch in mandatory ?

[67rally]

can you use anything besides a torch to cut the springs ? or are they just too hard and a torch in mandatory ?

If you are going to cut the coil springs, then I think the the best option is to use a cut off wheel. The torch will heat the springs and may cause them to weaken and distort under load.

[MarkM66]

You can use a cut off wheel, or a angle grinder with a cut wheel. They're not hard to cut.

[Tony_SS]

When you guys cut springs.. aren't you concerned about not having a flat contact area like a factory spring does?

[BuzzKillian]

That is why you cut the bottom of the coil.

And I am pretty sure he was just kidding about using a torch.

[icemanrd19]

this is what im doing to my springs. Now i just need to sell my rear lowering leaf springs.

[Yoda4561]

That is why you cut the bottom of the coil.

And I am pretty sure he was just kidding about using a torch.

You'd be surprised, I've heard of and known a couple shops and diy'ers conduct this half-assed practice, mostly out of ignorance that the spring's heat treat is easily ruined when using a torch to "soften" or cut a coil. So yes, use a cutoff wheel or even a sawzall if you have to(I highly recommend the cutting wheel or similar tool, the sawzall, even with a decent metal blade is probably gonna be difficult/awkward with a round spring with hardened steel), keep the torch away from em.

[Tony_SS]

That is why you cut the bottom of the coil.

Even so.. only a few inches of the spring will be seated, right? Instead of having a good solid base? That part always bothered me.. not sure if its a legitimate concern or not though..

[twosaturns]

You'd be surprised, I've heard of and known a couple shops and diy'ers conduct this half-assed practice, mostly out of ignorance that the spring's heat treat is easily ruined when using a torch to "soften" or cut a coil. So yes, use a cutoff wheel or even a sawzall if you have to(I highly recommend the cutting wheel or similar tool, the sawzall, even with a decent metal blade is probably gonna be difficult/awkward with a round spring with hardened steel), keep the torch away from em.

I've heard of guys who would place bricks under the frame and heat the springs until the car came down onto the bricks! real trailer park engineering there...

anyway, a cutoff wheel seems to be the preferred method, but I'm sure a good corded sawzall w/ a new milwalkee blade could do it as well.

[72camarors]

I have a 72 camaro that I cut my Hotchkis springs 1/2". It lowered my car another 1" and I couldn't tell any difference in the ride! I used a cut off wheel and cut the bottom of the coil.

[6'9"Witha69]

When i bought my 69 in 1997 the previous owner told me that is how he lowered the front AND rear!! Simply a new set of springs and shocks and difference was night and day. I couldn't believe as he was telling me that he would lower a car using a torch. "that's how we always built hot rods back in the day".

[BuzzKillian]

Even so.. only a few inches of the spring will be seated, right? Instead of having a good solid base? That part always bothered me.. not sure if its a legitimate concern or not though..

I'm not gpoing to say every car is like this, but on my car... The top of the coil is fairly flat, the LCA has a contoured pocket to compensate for the spiral of the spring. So, if you cut the spring... you just rotate it to match your LCA.

[monteboy84]

You still get a good solid base when the weight is put back on the spring. The loose end can safely be heated and formed to fit the lower spring bucket better, but running a cut spring is fine because the car's weight forms the cut end to the spring bucket. Rest assured that if Hotchkis is giving pointers on how to do it, it's a widely-accepted practice.

-matt