Torching my springs.

[91_festy_Gl]

Thinking about torching my springs to lower my festy. I havent ever done this so could someone tell me where i should torch the front and rear springs on which coil?

[1988festivazoom]

Biggest problem will be not destroying the struts from heat. Top or bottom ? I would torch the bottom , set blocks under the car to set an even height for when the suspension cools off.
depending on how far you drop it u might need to cut the bump stops in half so u aren't destroying your back bouncing on them.

[FestYboy]

cut the springs, heating them will cause the spring rate to DROP dramaticly and the ride quality will suffer and fruin your struts faster than just cutting a coil off.

[kellen302]

Yea, cut them, the torch ruins the temper, a friends dad did it and within a week the springs had collapsed 6 inches putting his work van on the ground

[anomoly40]

Get a hacksaw and put the elbow grease in to make it safe.

Edit: Rent a spring compressor. Don't try to cut them on the struts.

[M3NTAL]

The questions asked on here amaze me, but I guess it's a learning process for some people.

My policy do it once, do it right period.

[Grey Vw]

The questions asked on here amaze me, but I guess it's a learning process for some people.

My policy do it once, do it right period.

I am bearly learning to do this.

[DriverOne]

Grey VW, the only way I'd say to alter your springs is to cut them 1/4 coil higher from where you think you should, and heat the coil DIRECTLY at the point you were originally going to cut. Push the spring on the ground to bend the hot, cut section so the cut end rests against the rest of the coil to make a seat. Let the springs air cool. DO NOT put them in water to cool them.

[Grey Vw]

Grey VW, the only way I'd say to alter your springs is to cut them 1/4 coil higher from where you think you should, and heat the coil DIRECTLY at the point you were originally going to cut. Push the spring on the ground to bend the hot, cut section so the cut end rests against the rest of the coil to make a seat. Let the springs air cool. DO NOT put them in water to cool them.

Woah woah, I didn't mean torch my springs. I ment I am bearly learning to do things right the first time. I'm saving up for rokkor coilovers after getting ebay springs.

[DriverOne]

Oh. Sorry.

[shadetree]

The questions asked on here amaze me, but I guess it's a learning process for some people. My policy do it once, do it right period.
Well some of us are creative and enjoy learning the science of mechanics . There is really not much challenge in taking the finished product out of a box .

[perucho]

Well some of us are creative and enjoy learning the science of mechanics . There is really not much challenge in taking the finished product out of a box .

Is mechanics a science? LOL Well, someone is going to learn the science of properties of materials the hard way The good thing is that these things are cheap. To the OP, just try to not hurt anyone else in the process.

[91_festy_Gl]

Hurt anyone else? who got hurt to start with? Why do people make it sound like torching or cutting the springs on a stock festiva is a complicated task? I simply asked the question because some say not to torch and some say not to cut. This isnt something I have ever done because I usually do it the right way with coil overs. I am broke and want my festiva lowered.

[anomoly40]

Torching springs means you are annealing the metal to weaken it so the car will not be supported as well. Weakening suspension components is not very safe. Don't believe me, go to walmart and try pushing a buggy with a screwed up wheel around. Its hard to control. Now imagine you're on the interstate and there are cars around. Then the spring gives out.

A hacksaw costs a few bucks, and you could probably rent a spring compressor from autozone and get your money back after returning it.

Don't kill someone else or their kids because you are cheap and lazy.

[M3NTAL]

A hacksaw costs a few bucks, and you could probably rent a spring compressor from autozone and get your money back after returning it.

Don't kill someone else or their kids because you are cheap and lazy.

Agreed, hey if you have an angle grinder that would cut your time down drastically