Cutting coil questions

[GMC Guy]

i know this is a common thing, but i'd like to know exactly what i'm doing before i tear my truck apart and start cutting stuff

i only want to cut a half coil (for a 1in drop) but if i feel it could come down lower, i can always cut another half. dad always said you can always cut more off but you can't put more back on

so i have all the tools needed: ball joint/tie rod separator, bfh, and a cut off wheel. not gonna use a torch lol

my questions are, how is the spring going to fit in the pocket and on the lca, if i only cut half a coil off? is there any little things i need to watch out for? other than the spring flying out at me....

and lastly, has anyone ever put factory 6cyl coils under their sbc truck? i would think it would be a weaker spring, providing some drop

[72freak]

We just try to put both side in the same way and try to get one end in its dimpled spot where it is supposed to start. I dont know bout 6 cyl springs v/s small block springs.

[project 67 sub]

i think the 6 cyl. springs are the same as the bbc springs because they weigh more than a sbc

[Goats86]

I have not done it on my truck. However I did on a 1974 Z 28. I got Firebird big block springs and cut 1 coil off. It made the car sit firmer, yet lower. This was in 76 before they have aftermarket suspension goodies. Just line up the coil end in the hole in the LCA just like it came out.

[LONGHAIR]

Originally Posted by GMC Guy

so i have all the tools needed: ball joint/tie rod separator, bfh, and a cut off wheel. not gonna use a torch lol

I assume that by "ball joint/tie rod seperator", you are refering to a "pickle-fork"?
If so, I would recommend against that. Those things are very hard on the rubber boots that seal the grease in the joint. It's fine if you are taking it apart to replace the joint, but if you intend to put the same joints back together? not so good, it tears the rubber.
It is far better to "pop" them apart with a hammer blow to the side of the fitting.

[1LowToy]

Good question. I think what he's asking is the upper spring pocket critical for the placement of the spring. Can it be like 180 degrees out and fit properly in the top spring pocket?

GMC Guy If you wanna come up here and help me with mine for practice I think I'm about ready. At least the sun should be out.

[mooseknuckles]

cut a half coil off the bottom of the spring, If I remember correctly the top is curled tighter to fit in the seat of the pocket, the bottom doesn't matter so much..

[nathansmith15]

the top is curled tighter to fit but the bottom doesnt matter i was surprised at how much i had to cut out of mine to get it to make very much of a difference at all . . . i think it was where the bottom doesnt start to actually curl up untill about a coil and a half

[GMC Guy]

Originally Posted by 1LowToy

Good question. I think what he's asking is the upper spring pocket critical for the placement of the spring. Can it be like 180 degrees out and fit properly in the top spring pocket?

GMC Guy If you wanna come up here and help me with mine for practice I think I'm about ready. At least the sun should be out.

this is my main question, how should the spring fit on the lca with half a coil cut? or does anyone have any pics that can clear this up for me?

thanks for the offer LowToy, but driving to sonora would be some expensive practice haha

[GMC Guy]

thanks for the replies guys, losing a coil spring while going down the highway because it wasn't seated properly, doesn't sound fun haha

[lolife99]

Don't worry about the bottom.

Line up the top of the spring.
There is a "D" shaped pocket in the crossmember.
Get the spring correctly seated around that.
Lay on your back and look up in the spring pocket.

[GMC Guy]

Originally Posted by lolife99

Don't worry about the bottom.

Line up the top of the spring.
There is a "D" shaped pocket in the crossmember.
Get the spring correctly seated around that.
Lay on your back and look up in the spring pocket.

thanks Keith, that's all i needed to hear

[Slammed '87]

I had some 6 cyl coils in one of my trucks. It gave me about 2" drop.

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by LONGHAIR

I assume that by "ball joint/tie rod seperator", you are refering to a "pickle-fork"?

Sidebar:

I HAVE to tell this story (it's Longhair's fault):

Right after I left the assembly plant, my first job in Engineering was at the GM Milford Proving Ground.

I was just a young pup, and I was working with one of the mechanics/technicians on the front end of one of these trucks. While we were working, he sent me over to the tool crib to grab a "pickle fork" for him.

While I was walking across the garage, I was thinking to myself "...geez. Here I am working for the largest, most advanced, most profitable automaker in the world. I can't walk over to the tool crib and ask the guy for a "pickle fork"....he's gonna think I'm some kind of small town hick or something".

I sauntered up to the window and, leaning causually on the window sill, trying to be as cool as possible, I said: "hey, can I have a 'ball joint separator'".

Acting like he didn't hear me, the crib guy said "...a what?"

"A ball joint separator" I repeated, my chest puffed out with pride.

Looking confused, he said "You mean a 'pickle fork'?"

I put my head down. "yeah, a pickle fork" I said, sheepishly.



I guess if it's good enough for those guys, it's good enough for me....

[Keith Seymore]

Back to topic:

If you do what lolife says, you'll be fine.

[1LowToy]

GMC Guy

I was just out and had a look at mine (scratchin head). I did a flip kit in back and checked the rear spring arches with the springs out and they looked good. Yet I still have the chevy lean to the right side. I'm goin to wait until I get some new springs to cut and hopefully I can level it out. I had some lowering springs that I got off of another truck but with out knowing how low they would be I sold them. I'm thinking maybe some for an 87 v6? I have an inline six now. I measured from the bump stop to the frame on each side and there is a big difference. So starting out cutting something that's not even to begin with probibly won't work.

Good question by the way, and good luck. It was foggy cold up here today so the best chore I can do today is get more firewood to put by the front door.

[GMC Guy]

lol i'm not sure why i called it that. if you asked me to get a "pickle fork" i'd know exactly what to get

i appreciate you guys clearing up my confusion, i think i'm ready to tackle it

[87 chevy silverado]

Originally Posted by Slammed '87

I had some 6 cyl coils in one of my trucks. It gave me about 2" drop.

hmmmmm ideas

[Chlsnk]

Before you cut your springs watch this video (I know it pretains to imports but it holds true about cut springs on anything)

YouTube - Hellaflush cartoon

[LONGHAIR]

Originally Posted by GMC Guy

lol i'm not sure why i called it that. if you asked me to get a "pickle fork" i'd know exactly what to get

i appreciate you guys clearing up my confusion, i think i'm ready to tackle it

Apparently you missed my point, which was not the actual name of the tool.....but the recommendation agaisnt using one. They are destructive to the rubber boots. It doesn't really matter if you are replacing the joint (and boot) but it is bad if you are just removing springs and re-assmbling the same joints.

[project 67 sub]

Originally Posted by Chlsnk

Before you cut your springs watch this video (I know it pretains to imports but it holds true about cut springs on anything) YouTube - Hellaflush cartoon

haha funny video lol.

[GMC Guy]

Originally Posted by LONGHAIR

Apparently you missed my point, which was not the actual name of the tool.....but the recommendation agaisnt using one. They are destructive to the rubber boots. It doesn't really matter if you are replacing the joint (and boot) but it is bad if you are just removing springs and re-assmbling the same joints.

no i understand now, thanks for setting me straight