88delta88 wrote:
........ you cut springs, on a car? ........
The 215 Olds/Muncie combo was lighter than the 2M/4 spd Toyota it replaced and, after the conversion, the front sat about ¾" higher.
Had it in the air to pull the front coils, and it looked like it could be done, so I torched a coil out. Other than a little change in paint color on the lower A arms, there were no problems.
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........ I heard tales of people heating springs until they collapsed, but never believed a word that it worked ........
Heat worked on a lot of cars in the '50s, as it was the preferred low buck method. Not good for long term, since the extra heat weakened the spring and caused it to "settle" afterward.
Most of the "Taco/Bean Wagons" (later called "low riders") had them on the stops (no travel at all) anyway, so it worked fine for them.
Took my first car to a muffler shop and had him apply heat until I was happy with the height. Used "clamps" on the second "coil spring" car I lowered. After that, I either cut and/or replaced, them. Always used the smoke wrench until the last one. Used a Chop Saw on one side and Angle Grinder on the other.
For a Cutoff Tool, the Angle Grinder is less stable (read less safe) but it works fine as long as the operator doesn't flinch.
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........ Did you actually cut the spring ........
Yep. Took the separated coils from the lower A arms after they cooled.
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........ Seems like a risky deal.
I was planning on losing the tip of the torch when it dropped. It didn't happen.
Norm
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