Can i cut my springs on my vectra ?? Please read

[jakep2505]

Hi there, i have a Vectra C and am wanting to lower it a bit. I was going to buy either coilovers or lowering springs but was wandering if i can lower my car by cutting my springs to save me a bit of money?
I have known many people to chop their springs but have heard it is "safe" to an extent in some cars but not in others?
Was just wandering if it would be possible to maybe chop 1 coil off my Vectra without making my car liable to a crash when i go round a bend or something? Any help will be much appreciated!! Many thanks

[new boy]

Dont do it!!!! get some lowering springs you can get them for £100ish.

[jakep2505]

Dont do it!!!! get some lowering springs you can get them for £100ish.

Yeah they are £80. Why would u not reccomend i do it?? thanks

[beat275]

That's crazy. Buy some springs

[Handyandy-UK]

Coil springs flex at different rates throughout their 'height' - generally more in the middle than at either end - and so cutting may well affect their design effect.

A cut spring may also not seat correctly within the standard housing cups.

Cut springs are also a particular inspection point on the current MoT and may result in a fail.

My opinion would be that you'd be better off fitting specifically designed lowering springs.

[jakep2505]

Coil springs flex at different rates throughout their 'height' - generally more in the middle than at either end - and so cutting may well affect their design effect.

A cut srping may also not seat correctly within the standard housing cups.

Cut springs are also a particular inspection point on the current MoT and may result in a fail.

My opinion would be that you'd be better off fitting specifically designed lowering springs.

Great thanks for the help! I will be buying springs then! On ebay they lower by 40mm, but wanted 60mm really, do you know where i could get lower than 40? maybe a online shop or something? thanks for the input!

[Handyandy-UK]

There are many outlets for lowering springs, as you have doubtless already found.

A point to not however, is that a fair few members have already fitted lowering springs of various sizes and from what I can see lowering more than 40mm means you're almost guaranteed to have impacts between tyre and wheelarch and some cases between splitter and tarmac. Lowering by 30mm does seem the most popular and practical option for a vehicle used on normal UK roads.

You should also note that insufficient clearance between vehicle and running gear is also now an MoT fail point.

[bigmac]

Crazy

[Woody]

Crazy

PMSL

[merikiito]

Unbelievable that someone would even consider doing such a thing. All to save a few £'s

Better off leaving well alone until you have the money to do the job correctly.

PS: Does anyone know how many elastic bands I will need to replace a worn tyre. I cannot afford a new tyre so I'm collecting the elastic bands that the postman drops on his rounds. I have 6 so far.