Cutting Coils off Moogs

[Timmays92SHO]

Does anyone know if its okay to cut coils off the moogs replacement struts. I dont want it really low but I heard they ride hide. There going on tommarrow so i need input.

 

[Jonny Cash]

I dont get it. You bought new struts with springs already installed?
You mean cutting coils off springs? IDK who told you they ride high, but if they do, they do for a reason. LEAVE THOSE POOR SPRINGS ALONE! If you want to ride lower, get lowering springs.

 

[DHMag]

if the strut and spring is already a complete unit, i say slap it in. wait a few days to allow the springs to settle then make the call on ride height. i achieved a 2" drop all around by cutting 1 1/2 coils front, Moog CC858, and 1 coil rear, Moog CC839.

before disassembly, measure the distance from wheel center to fenderlip. measuer after install and then measure again a few days later.

 

[Timmays92SHO]

******** johhny cash whats your problem. Nothings on yet. I heard of people cutting off coils to lower it a bit and was curious. I not going for total performance either thats why I got the Moogs. No$$$$. Maybe just a little better stance. Does anyone, without anger problems, have any input.

 

[Redline]

Well I have no personal experience with this, but from what I have read on the forum, the front moogs tend to sit higher than stock. Most people cut 1 or 1.5 coils off of the front.

 

[NotSoSlowSHO]

I removed one coil from the fronts on my SHO, and it sits just a touch lower than stock.

Also, check my sig for MOOG CC info.

 

[DHMag]

while i never tried the Moogs without cutting them, my stock springs left a 3" gap in the front. after cutting and installing the Moogs, gap is 1".

 

[Jonny Cash]

******** johhny cash whats your problem. Nothings on yet. I heard of people cutting off coils to lower it a bit and was curious. I not going for total performance either thats why I got the Moogs. No$$$$. Maybe just a little better stance. Does anyone, without anger problems, have any input.

anger problems?? settle down buddy.
I was just trying to help you. nothing else.Besides coilovers Ive just never bought struts/springs as a unit. And when I say leave the springs alone, Im just giving you good advice. Your not in any way supposed to cut your springs. Im sure one day someone you trust will tell you its a bad idea. But if you do, make sure you dont cut off too much. Your nice new struts will bottom out and be destroyed.

 

[DHMag]

But if you do, make sure you dont cut off too much. Your nice new struts will bottom out and be destroyed.

unless you buy struts deisgned for lowering.

 

[NotSoSlowSHO]

yep.

But even then, sometimes you have to shaoe the bump stops a bit

 

[Jonny Cash]

unless you buy struts deisgned for lowering.

Thank you. My point exactly.

 

[DHMag]

Thank you. My point exactly.

stock struts can tolerate a lowering spring, but no more than 1".

 

[Jonny Cash]

stock struts can tolerate a lowering spring, but no more than 1".

You gotta think 1 coil is probably around an inch 1/2. Right? I could see how you could easily cut off more than you bargained for. Its too risky for someone with a low budget IMO.

 

[NotSoSlowSHO]

You gotta think 1 coil is probably around an inch 1/2. Right? I could see how you could easily cut off more than you bargained for. Its too risky for someone with a low budget IMO.

The MOOG front coils ride VERY high to begin with. Removing one coil brings it the ride height very near stock. So, NO.

Risky? Low budget?

Eh, no. Have you priced Moogs?? Thats one reason we use the Moogs

 

[Jonny Cash]

 

[oh_SHO]

If you do cut them, make sure to keep the metal cool as heat effects temperament and trashes the spring.

 

[DHMag]

You gotta think 1 coil is probably around an inch 1/2. Right? I could see how you could easily cut off more than you bargained for. Its too risky for someone with a low budget IMO.

i cut 1 1/2 coils from the front springs. removing my stock FLA coded springs and installing the cut Moogs netted a 2" drop. Kenny (NotSoSlowSHO) cut one coil from the front and netted a 2" drop from his stock springs. from what ive read, not every Taurus/SHO was outfitted with the exact same stock spring.

also take into consideration the previous use. did someone always haul around 400 lbs in luggage, did it sit in a driveway/garage more than it was driven, what type of weather conditions was the vehicle kept in ?

 

[ES_8CH_OH]

I used Moog CC's cutting one coil from the front. When the install was done, the car was HIGH, even after the coil was cut. I could fit my fist between all the tires and fender lips. Two months later the front has settled a lot. Again, using my caveman measuring device that I keep handy at all times, I can squeeze three fingers between the top of the tire and the fender lip up front making it much lower than before. I can fit three fingers between the top of the rear tire and the fender.

I replaced the springs because the rear was sagging, now my sho looks like the front is sagging. I have some ~75lb. rocks I was thinking about putting in the trunk to try to get the rear to settle. Depending on how the car settles in a few more months, I may cut 1/2 a coil off the rear springs to get it to match the front.

It all depends on what you are looking for. I did not want a lowered sho, just replacement springs. The front of my sho is definitly lower than before with one coil cut. For $25 a piece, even if you screw up your ride height, you can pick up another set for pretty cheap. I was not happy with the feel of hieght of the springs initially, but after a few months, the car springs really settled a lot. The ride is nice again, not harsh, and it looks better than having the rear dragging behind the car. Guys that don't cut the CC's usually come back saying the wish they did cut at least the fronts. I wonder how long they have waited for the springs to settle.

 

[DHMag]

I used Moog CC's cutting one coil from the front. When the install was done, the car was HIGH, even after the coil was cut. I could fit my fist between all the tires and fender lips. Two months later the front has settled a lot. Again, using my caveman measuring device that I keep handy at all times, I can squeeze three fingers between the top of the tire and the fender lip up front making it much lower than before. I can fit three fingers between the top of the rear tire and the fender.

I replaced the springs because the rear was sagging, now my sho looks like the front is sagging. I have some ~75lb. rocks I was thinking about putting in the trunk to try to get the rear to settle. Depending on how the car settles in a few more months, I may cut 1/2 a coil off the rear springs to get it to match the front.

It all depends on what you are looking for. I did not want a lowered sho, just replacement springs. The front of my sho is definitly lower than before with one coil cut. For $25 a piece, even if you screw up your ride height, you can pick up another set for pretty cheap. I was not happy with the feel of hieght of the springs initially, but after a few months, the car springs really settled a lot. The ride is nice again, not harsh, and it looks better than having the rear dragging behind the car. Guys that don't cut the CC's usually come back saying the wish they did cut at least the fronts. I wonder how long they have waited for the springs to settle.

Kenny and i have 2 things in common when it comes to the springs. 1) we are using the same CC858 spring in the front, and 2) we both have them on MTX cars.

ATX cars are a bit heavier in the nose. and other models of front springs will react differently to cutting.

 

[NotSoSlowSHO]

My coils have not sagged. I have notuced that they are a touch softer than when first installed, but zero sagging.

I have just about 15k on my setup.