cut front springs,alignment question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

RShaips · 12-06-2003, 12:40 AM

I cut my front springs one coil and it dropped about 2 1/2 -3" will I have a problem getting my front end aligned ? I also have dropped the rear 4", looks great and drives nice , but the front end definitely needs to be aligned. Thanks

gr8scott51 · 12-06-2003, 12:45 AM

It'll take a lot of shimming now, but necessary. scott

**old Rusty C10** · 12-06-2003, 12:48 AM

thats not safe!!

Tx Firefighter · 12-06-2003, 01:44 AM

The guy will drop a thick stack of shims on each upper arm stud and he will take your money.

I challenge anyone on here to tell me why it's unsafe. The factory put shims there. You're just putting more to get the camber back out where it should be.

So tell me, why is it unsafe? Let's hear it.....

I've been doing alignments since 1991 and I do not think it's unsafe.

Injected68LS1 · 12-06-2003, 03:22 AM

I don't see how it is unsafe. I have been driving my truck with 3 inch drop springs, 6 years like that. The alignment guys have put a good thick pack of shims in there to get the camber back. Standard practice. No problem.

I could probably take some shims out. For some reason the alignment guy put 0 degrees camber. Now my tires wear only on the outside edge. Anyways my point is that it's safe.

A.P. · 12-06-2003, 08:28 AM

When my brother bought me my truck in the late 80's, it was drop front 2" and rear 4". The coils in my truck were heat shrunk. The truck looked great but the ride was rough. The only problems that I had with this kind of drop was the front wheel bearings would break when I would run over a pot hole. And the pot holes where not too big.

Beside that it was great.

RShaips · 12-06-2003, 08:38 AM

Why would it be any different if I had bought drop springs rather than cutting my stock springs? Anyway thanks for the replies , I will be getting it aligned as soon as I can. Thanks

A.P. · 12-06-2003, 09:10 AM

Drop spindles is the way to go. To my understanding there isn't much of a difference only that its cheaper than installing drop spindles.

tom hand · 12-06-2003, 11:13 AM

I did this years ago...I had to replace the bolts that you put the shims on with longer ones because the stock ones were not long enough for the amount of shims it took. I had a 1 inch spacer cut that had 2 holes to help strengthen the set- up and get it to where you could use a more normal amount of shims for alignment. If they had made the spindles back then thats the way I would have gone. here is a pic from 1982

67chevemall · 12-06-2003, 11:14 AM

I did the same one great sunny day in Thorold!
We cut em down 2-3" popped the ball joints and we were rolling!
Drove from Niagara Falls to Daytona Beach with out any other mods!

So the safty thing is no a factor!
What is a factor is the wear on the tires from poor alignment!
If I new were to put the SHIMS I would be all over it because I need new front tires and don't want to wreak them toooooo!

Were to put the shimms ??????????/

Spindells are the way to go but if your smart and broke like dumptruck what do you do?

Who's the expert on the DROP?

Happy Saturday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

67chevemall · 12-06-2003, 11:16 AM

Maybe We all need one of these shops!
EH!
I would be crazy!

Tx Firefighter · 12-06-2003, 12:29 PM

The upper control arms are held onto the front crossmember by two studs and nuts. You loosen the nuts off and pry the arm away from the crossmember and put shims in the gap. This is how caster and camber are set on your front end alignment.

SCOTI · 12-06-2003, 01:20 PM

My .02 worth, w/just 1 coil cut, you won't run out of stud length for the shims so an alignment shouldn't be a problem.

jays68yak · 12-06-2003, 01:26 PM

as i see it cutting coils isnt a problem, it will give you a rougher ride tho. Which can be a good thing.
Heatting coils is bad IMO. You not going to be sure to get an even lowering job. The springs are now not springs cuz you heated them and took out the treating.

Cutting good.
Heating bad.

*redbowtie* · 12-06-2003, 01:39 PM

A loooooong time ago I heated the coils on my 67 shortbed to the point of the a-arms riding on the bump stops.

it was damn rough riding.....but it handled pretty good too.

RShaips · 12-06-2003, 03:09 PM

I just cut the springs because it was cheap and easy. My ride is fine , I cut one coil off and as long as it can be aligned without a problem I am happy. If I end up not liking how they ride I will just take them out and put in 2" drop springs. I may also put in drop spindles to get it lower. Thanks for the feedback

A.P. · 12-06-2003, 09:21 PM

I returned my truck to its original height and it only cost me $40. The ride is much smoother and thats how I want it to run when I do drop it.

Gene · 12-06-2003, 09:33 PM

There's NOTHING unsafe about cut coil springs. I have been driving mine for 6 years with zero problems. I cut one coil off and then shimmed the top A-arm out. Yes, drop spindles are better, but if you run alot of backspacing you will run into interference with the rim and the bottom A-arm and you will have to trim alot off of it to get a full turn either way thereby weakening the arm. IMHO cutting a coil is much safer than that. Just my .02

12-06-2003, 12:40 AM	#1
RShaips Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Augusta Missouri Posts: 804	cut front springs,alignment question I cut my front springs one coil and it dropped about 2 1/2 -3" will I have a problem getting my front end aligned ? I also have dropped the rear 4", looks great and drives nice , but the front end definitely needs to be aligned. Thanks

12-06-2003, 12:45 AM	#2
gr8scott51 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bremerton, WA Posts: 1,839	yep It'll take a lot of shimming now, but necessary. scott __________________ Silence is golden, duct tape is silver. - Scott

12-06-2003, 12:48 AM	#3
old Rusty C10 Robert Olson Transport Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: recent transplant to NC USA Posts: 20,303	thats not safe!! __________________ Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!!

12-06-2003, 01:44 AM	#4
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	The guy will drop a thick stack of shims on each upper arm stud and he will take your money. I challenge anyone on here to tell me why it's unsafe. The factory put shims there. You're just putting more to get the camber back out where it should be. So tell me, why is it unsafe? Let's hear it..... I've been doing alignments since 1991 and I do not think it's unsafe. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

12-06-2003, 03:22 AM	#5
Injected68LS1 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: So. Cal. Posts: 389	I don't see how it is unsafe. I have been driving my truck with 3 inch drop springs, 6 years like that. The alignment guys have put a good thick pack of shims in there to get the camber back. Standard practice. No problem. I could probably take some shims out. For some reason the alignment guy put 0 degrees camber. Now my tires wear only on the outside edge. Anyways my point is that it's safe. __________________ 1968 Chev SWB with 1998 Corvette LS1 305hp and 320 ftlb to the wheels (stock engine!) AEM EMS and wideband O2 sensors Bowtie Overdrive's 700R4, stage 3 Baer 4 wheel discs and 20s http://iciclelanding.com/aperture?album=2049&view=album

12-06-2003, 08:28 AM	#6
A.P. Black 72 Chevy Join Date: May 2002 Location: Los Angeles, California Posts: 662	When my brother bought me my truck in the late 80's, it was drop front 2" and rear 4". The coils in my truck were heat shrunk. The truck looked great but the ride was rough. The only problems that I had with this kind of drop was the front wheel bearings would break when I would run over a pot hole. And the pot holes where not too big. Beside that it was great.

12-06-2003, 08:38 AM	#7
RShaips Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Augusta Missouri Posts: 804	Why would it be any different if I had bought drop springs rather than cutting my stock springs? Anyway thanks for the replies , I will be getting it aligned as soon as I can. Thanks

12-06-2003, 09:10 AM	#8
A.P. Black 72 Chevy Join Date: May 2002 Location: Los Angeles, California Posts: 662	Drop spindles is the way to go. To my understanding there isn't much of a difference only that its cheaper than installing drop spindles. __________________ 72 Chevy, SWB, 350engine, TH400

12-06-2003, 11:13 AM	#9
tom hand CCRider Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Olive Branch,MS,USA Posts: 2,232	I did this years ago...I had to replace the bolts that you put the shims on with longer ones because the stock ones were not long enough for the amount of shims it took. I had a 1 inch spacer cut that had 2 holes to help strengthen the set- up and get it to where you could use a more normal amount of shims for alignment. If they had made the spindles back then thats the way I would have gone. here is a pic from 1982 Attached Images __________________ 72 GMC Sierra SWB almost finished---- 84 Softail Olive Branch MS

12-06-2003, 11:14 AM	#10
67chevemall Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: NB Posts: 3,367	I did the same one great sunny day in Thorold! We cut em down 2-3" popped the ball joints and we were rolling! Drove from Niagara Falls to Daytona Beach with out any other mods! So the safty thing is no a factor! What is a factor is the wear on the tires from poor alignment! If I new were to put the SHIMS I would be all over it because I need new front tires and don't want to wreak them toooooo! Were to put the shimms ??????????/ Spindells are the way to go but if your smart and broke like dumptruck what do you do? Who's the expert on the DROP? Happy Saturday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! __________________ 1968 Chevy C10 307 3ott fleetside 1967 Chevy C/10 V8, 3spd, fleetside lwb.Sold 1967 Chev C/10 step, 383, M21. SOLD

12-06-2003, 11:16 AM	#11
67chevemall Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: NB Posts: 3,367	Maybe We all need one of these shops! EH! I would be crazy! __________________ 1968 Chevy C10 307 3ott fleetside 1967 Chevy C/10 V8, 3spd, fleetside lwb.Sold 1967 Chev C/10 step, 383, M21. SOLD Last edited by 67chevemall; 07-09-2010 at 02:29 PM.

12-06-2003, 12:29 PM	#12
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	The upper control arms are held onto the front crossmember by two studs and nuts. You loosen the nuts off and pry the arm away from the crossmember and put shims in the gap. This is how caster and camber are set on your front end alignment. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

12-06-2003, 01:20 PM	#13
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 22,031	My .02 worth, w/just 1 coil cut, you won't run out of stud length for the shims so an alignment shouldn't be a problem. __________________ 67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... *Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.*

12-06-2003, 01:26 PM	#14
jays68yak Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Gilroy, CA Posts: 1,454	as i see it cutting coils isnt a problem, it will give you a rougher ride tho. Which can be a good thing. Heatting coils is bad IMO. You not going to be sure to get an even lowering job. The springs are now not springs cuz you heated them and took out the treating. Cutting good. Heating bad. __________________ 1969 Chevy Project SWB Fleet, 20s, 5.3, t56, in the weeds. 1970 Chevy Truck cab on a 1979 Jimmy frame-8.1 liter 496 bbc/sm465/np203-jeds doubler-np205/d60/14bff Welded/42 tsls on recentered H1s 1998 Chevy Crew Cab K3500 SAS'd with hpd60, links and swayaway coilovers. 8.1l vortec DD/towrig "I like long walks, especially when they are taken by people who annoy me. "

12-06-2003, 01:39 PM	#15
redbowtie Account Suspended Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Fort Worth, Texas Posts: 0	A loooooong time ago I heated the coils on my 67 shortbed to the point of the a-arms riding on the bump stops. it was damn rough riding.....but it handled pretty good too.



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12-06-2003, 03:09 PM	#16
RShaips Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Augusta Missouri Posts: 804	I just cut the springs because it was cheap and easy. My ride is fine , I cut one coil off and as long as it can be aligned without a problem I am happy. If I end up not liking how they ride I will just take them out and put in 2" drop springs. I may also put in drop spindles to get it lower. Thanks for the feedback

12-06-2003, 09:21 PM	#17
A.P. Black 72 Chevy Join Date: May 2002 Location: Los Angeles, California Posts: 662	I returned my truck to its original height and it only cost me $40. The ride is much smoother and thats how I want it to run when I do drop it. __________________ 72 Chevy, SWB, 350engine, TH400

12-06-2003, 09:33 PM	#18
Gene Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Muskogee, Oklahoma Posts: 2,914	There's NOTHING unsafe about cut coil springs. I have been driving mine for 6 years with zero problems. I cut one coil off and then shimmed the top A-arm out. Yes, drop spindles are better, but if you run alot of backspacing you will run into interference with the rim and the bottom A-arm and you will have to trim alot off of it to get a full turn either way thereby weakening the arm. IMHO cutting a coil is much safer than that. Just my .02 __________________ 1971 SWB 4X4 Build BOARD MEMBER #5448 BOOMER SOONER!!!!

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