Attempting the Moog CC chop

[Edgeofthecliff]

When installing Moog CC's (CC858) up front it results a 4" gap. I've heard good reviews about cutting Moog coils to achieve OEM and/or lowered stance. At this point the gap is killing me and I wanna even the rear (CC859). I plan to do the 1.5" measurement (chopping the top) to have a 1-2 inch drop up front. I notice that ATX SHO's are heavier then the MTX, hearing that front springs soften up. Keep in mind I have a slo GL automatic. I have a friend whos a mechanic does other work on the side, like he chopped the springs on his Fox-body Stang GT. Also, my co-worker has a friend whos a Housekeeping Manager at his other Job (Nursing) and has chopped springs alot for auto shows. He basically chops the springs in his 2001 Mercedes (CLK?) 2-door a few times.

So if I chopped 1.5" up front for a GL sedan, how much drop will I get? I'm guessin that the GL and the ATX weigh the same. Oh, I just basically want it lower at an OEM height but a solid 2" drop to even the rear is fine too. That way I might invest in 17"s

 

[SolidState]

I chopped 2.5 springs off the front of my ATX to obtain this ride height:



I cut 1.5 off the rear, but on the wrong side and the springs started sagging in no time...

 

[Edgeofthecliff]

Welp, my former co-worker said he can do my front coils for $100. Another Q, how do you measure 1.5", vertical by cutting a coil and a half or chopping a 1.5" piece of coil from the top?

 

[SHOtimer]

Welp, my former co-worker said he can do my front coils for $100. Another Q, how do you measure 1.5", vertical by cutting a coil and a half or chopping a 1.5" piece of coil from the top?

If you know how to pull a strut, you can do it for free yourself.

Doug

 

[SolidState]

no kidding...$100 to remove the front struts and cut them? this is like 30min of work per side....

 

[Edgeofthecliff]

Well Dave and his father have their own shop and he offers to help fix up rides at a cheaper rate. Not only that he's a ASE certified tech at a Dodge dealership. He already chopped his coils on his '98 Cobra and now his 5.0 GT and they're sweet. He totaled his Cobra back then.

 

[ES_8CH_OH]

I cut one spring off my front. After one year of breaking in, it settled and looks like your fronts. Initially, the fronts looked like it was 4X4 ready, but over time, it have settled by a substantial amount. I have a feeling you cut too much. Looks like you will have to wait and see.

 

[LeddZepp8687]

Welp, my former co-worker said he can do my front coils for $100. Another Q, how do you measure 1.5", vertical by cutting a coil and a half or chopping a 1.5" piece of coil from the top?

A coil and a half..Not 1.5 inches

 

[Edgeofthecliff]

So lookin at the front spring vertical view measuring top to bottom at 1.5 coils from the top? Ok got it!

 

[TYSHO]

no kidding...$100 to remove the front struts and cut them? this is like 30min of work per side....

Actually, it's not that bad of a price. Yes, you can drop a front strut/spring assembly in 5 minutes, if you have an impact. Not only is that part of the job, but he has to use the coil compressor to compress the coil, then cut the coils off. If he doesn't have any of these tools, it will not be free for him to do, like mentioned in another post.

Secondly, I have all the tools needed to do my own front springs, yet I haven't touched them. It's something I really don't feel like doing, but if someone paid me $100 to cut my front springs, I'd be on it. If they wanted to pay me $50, they can do it, not me.

You pay for the tools, time, knowledge, and shop area, not how easy it is to do with proper tools.

 

[Edgeofthecliff]

Oh yeah he said it would take him a couple or more hours to get the job done so they probably got the good tools.

 

[Edgeofthecliff]

A little update. I'm calling Dave to see if he can get it done today. I finally reached him after a long while for he was sick.

I've read a little more on the cutting by letting the Moog springs settle. Well it's been settled about a year now. The question is at this point should I have it cut 1 coil or 1.5?

 

[shomesomesho]

Mine have sagged 1/4" over 6 months.

 

[Edgeofthecliff]

IT'S DONE!!!

Dave chopped 1 coil per side. The pass sits the same but the driversides lowered a 1/2 inch. Is this normal or will it lower some after settlement? I can actually tell it looks better. A tad stiffer and more response in turning.

 

[ES_8CH_OH]

Were MOOG CC springs already installed and removed to be cut?

Or have the springs just been installed for the first time?

If you just installed the springs for the first time, they will settle at least an inch in the next 6 months.

 

[Silver95]

I'd say just get eibach's. Mine sit real nice rite now.

 

[DHMag]

I'd say just get eibach's. Mine sit real nice rite now.

Eibachs are soft compared to Moogs.

 

[Silver95]

Thats allright, i dont mind the soft ride and plus i know that eibach's make the car handle pretty damn nice. My father just bought a 95 MTX with newer springs/struts (OEM) and our old car had Eibachs and i am 110% certain the old car with eibachs is a lot better in the twisties then this one.

Quick question-Can you cut one coil off eibach's?

 

[ES_8CH_OH]

Eibachs are soft compared to Moogs.

I'm really interested in junking my Moogs and getting Eibachs after reading that statement. I want soft, not jarring.

I know this is like comparing apples to oranges, but I have Eibachs on my 88 Mustang the ride is much smoother. Who would have thought my Mustang would have a smoother ride than my Taurus. The little bumps are absorbed in my Mustang. Whereas the Moog springs on my SHO absorb almost nothing. The ride is comparable to a go-cart.

Meanwhile, the ride height is screwed up with Moogs. I went from too high in the front and too low in the rear to the inverse- too low in the front and too high in the rear.

I have one coil removed from the fronts and the ride is nice. The front is lower than a SHO with stock springs as well as a SHO with Eibachs. I had my car parked next to both at the same time.

The rear has no springs cut, and rides like crap sits higher than SHO with Eibachs. The ride is awefully stiff, with almost no suspension travel. The inside rear wheel looses contact with the pavement with I back out of my driveway now. Really weird. I cannot see cutting springs to make the rear lower helping to make the ride softer or increase suspension travel.

I am really contemplating going to Eibach springs... I have Monroe Sensatrac struts and I have read that spring and strut combo does not work together. Why? The car does not get lowered much with an Eibach spring replacement.

Silver 95: What kind of struts are you using to compliment your Eibachs?

 

[FoeSho]

I'm really interested in junking my Moogs and getting Eibachs after reading that statement. I want soft, not jarring.

I know this is like comparing apples to oranges, but I have Eibachs on my 88 Mustang the ride is much smoother. Who would have thought my Mustang would have a smoother ride than my Taurus. The little bumps are absorbed in my Mustang. Whereas the Moog springs on my SHO absorb almost nothing. The ride is comparable to a go-cart.

Meanwhile, the ride height is screwed up with Moogs. I went from too high in the front and too low in the rear to the inverse- too low in the front and too high in the rear.

I have one coil removed from the fronts and the ride is nice. The front is lower than a SHO with stock springs as well as a SHO with Eibachs. I had my car parked next to both at the same time.

The rear has no springs cut, and rides like crap sits higher than SHO with Eibachs. The ride is awefully stiff, with almost no suspension travel. The inside rear wheel looses contact with the pavement with I back out of my driveway now. Really weird. I cannot see cutting springs to make the rear lower helping to make the ride softer or increase suspension travel.

I am really contemplating going to Eibach springs... I have Monroe Sensatrac struts and I have read that spring and strut combo does not work together. Why? The car does not get lowered much with an Eibach spring replacement.

Silver 95: What kind of struts are you using to compliment your Eibachs?

If thats the case, I will buy the moogs off of you