Cutting front Coils GM F or X Body
 

Has anyone cut the coils on the car without removing the coil?

I am thinking about removing the shock and placing a flat bar across the coils and using a porta power to jack the spring away from the perch and hitting the coil with a cut-off wheel........

Any thoughts??

dont be lazy. how are you gonna cut it exaclty where you want to like that
and if theres any tension still on that spring you might get killed too.

have someone ready with 911 on speed dial.

You guys are looking at this like you can't control things.

If the spring is supported correctly and off the lower pocket with a crossbar above where your cutting ...... there is plenty of room to cut the spring. And it remains contained. There is less chance of getting hurt this way than having an inexperienced person trying to remove the spring from the car.

So you propose to cut the springs without taking them out of the car, and ask what people think. Two folks respond, saying they think it's dangerous (as do I) and you argue with them?

Please go ahead, have someone document the process and let us know how it works. We'll look for the results either here or on YouTube.

It's a simple question.... If you haven't done it you need not answer. If someone has done it their experience or advice is greatly appreciated.

Crossing the street is dangerous... So is removing a cast iron T-10 or Top Loader Ford on your back in your driveway but people do it.

Don't get me wrong I appreciate the concern but don't make me out to be some sort of A$$. I know what is safe and what isn't. People take shortcuts and others learn from them.

That is part of the reason why we are members of this and other forums........ we ask questions to get answers.

Thanks,

i just dont see whats so hard about taking out the spring... safety aside, how will you keep the coil cool (usually you can sit it in a bucket of water)
and how will you accurately measure your cuts?

Your right it is not very difficult to remove the spring by breaking the lower joint and removing the sway bar link. But it would take more time (maybe). The other side is everytime you take something apart on these classics it leads to something else (you know the domino effect!)

I was just wondering if it was possible to do it on the car.

As far as keeping the heat down I would think using a sawzall or a very thin cutting wheel would not generate enough heat to travel any further than an inch or so. If one were to use a torch I would think it would make a huge difference.

what will happen if/when the spring slides off the flat bar?

It would still in the spring pocket so I don't think there should be any safety concern. I would also think a spring compressor would also work in lieu of the flat bar.