cutting lowering springs?

[era1999]

Well i have a 1995 C280 with Lorinser springs and Bilstien shocks and 18" wheels. The ride is perfect but the car is not low enough for the look I want. I want the front about 3/4" lower and the rear 1/2" lower. I was thinking of cutting the springs but don't know how much to cut. How would this affect the ride? Thanks for any input.

[ryhi]

had my old h&rs cut half a coil in front. my new ones are cut 3/4 of a coil. it rides like uncut.

[era1999]

how much did 1/2 coil drop it?

[martattack]

I cut a full coil on my H&R sports.

Before: http://pictures.mkosonen.com/d/1743-2/IMG_1100.JPG


After: http://pictures.mkosonen.com/d/1087-2/IMG_5048.jpg

[Denlasoul]

I dont get it. My car is pretty low on H&R's, no cutting :confused:

http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/6631/20240ju.jpg

[martattack]

Originally posted by Denlasoul
I dont get it. My car is pretty low on H&R's, no cutting :confused:




Meant for the 4cyl maybe? Who knows.

[era1999]

That's how I want mine to sit.

[undercover]

Originally posted by era1999
That's how I want mine to sit.
why dontcha get your stock springs compressed..thats what ive done..and you can get it to the exact height you want it to be.

[ryhi]

it might also depend on your shocks and spring pads. when i got new shocks i thought it would make my car sit higher, but it actually brought it lower.

[MirageHatch]

Is it safe to compress springs?

I have heard of many ppl on these and orther mercedes forums that have cut springs...I always thought it was a big no-no? maybe if it is just 1/2 or 1 coil it is not too bad?

[undercover]

Originally posted by MirageHatch
Is it safe to compress springs?

I have heard of many ppl on these and orther mercedes forums that have cut springs...I always thought it was a big no-no? maybe if it is just 1/2 or 1 coil it is not too bad?

yeah is safe to compress springs..but not very safe if the springs pop out and hit you in the head when its getting compressed! lol
but here in NZ not alot of merc owners cut their springs..they mainly compress and they go pretty low...

[martattack]

Originally posted by MirageHatch
Is it safe to compress springs?

I have heard of many ppl on these and orther mercedes forums that have cut springs...I always thought it was a big no-no? maybe if it is just 1/2 or 1 coil it is not too bad?

cutting stock springs is kind of a no-no because they are soft enough as it is... let alone trying to compress (take in energy) in even less spring travel.

If you insist on cutting springs, it's best to cut a sport spring as they have that added spring rate to counteract the force of the car.. It's also a good idea to get some good Sport shocks that will be able to work at lowered heights (and dampen the extra energy)

[choppers_rule]

Try to change the pads 1st before you cut then if it's still not low enough, you can cut the springs.

[era1999]

The springs were on the car when I got it but from what I can feel with my finger the spring pads are about 1/2 thick. Will changing them lower the car much? Has anyone taken them out all together?

[Skavuvi]

You need spring pads in there! I couldnt imagine the noises that you'd hear without them in there. You can notice a very very small difference depending on what is in there, 1 pads will make your car a bit less forgiving on the rougher roads.

[choppers_rule]

Yes...if you go from pads #4 to #1 it will drop it quite a bit.
Do some search on "spring pads" in this forum because I don't know exactly.

[The LO C]

Mine still wasn't low enough with #1 pads so I cut my brabus springs. No harm done. Just get a good alignment.

[era1999]

I will try the spring pads first. If that isn't enough I'll try cutting some. Thanks for all the input.