lowering suspension by chopping springs

[rockhard]

I am not able to find lowering springs for my car and I want it lowered, A friend told me when he was in high school, in automotive class they took out the existing springs in a car, cut them down. then put the suspension back together and they had a lowered car, Is this ok to do I cant find any other options

[IPDaily]

it's okay to do if you want a really bumpy, bouncy and overall uncomfortable ride

[toyomoho]

Not sure the springs will seat properly if an end were cut off to shorten it. The ends of the springs are leveled to seat in the shock mounts and strut. Find a shock spring and take a close look at the ends.

[akira751]

I was always told that was a no no.

[geoff5093]

It's possible, and I know people that have done it, but depending how much you cut, it creates a really bouncy and overall uncomfortable ride, and can damage the struts as well.

[atobe]

what car

[-SCWEET1-]

You could do that to any car, but in the end, its best to do it right.... Coilovers!!!

[aSiAnRiCk]

^ even coilovers will be more bouncy than lowering springs.

so the right way would be springs

[rockhard]

I have an 85 camry. now you see why I am having a tough time finding stuff. might anyone know of some lowering springs that would work for me.
would springs for a Gen 2 camry work on mine. Ive heard that the suspension is similar

[Kingdom934]

Originally Posted by rockhard

I have an 85 camry. now you see why I am having a tough time finding stuff. might anyone know of some lowering springs that would work for me.
would springs for a Gen 2 camry work on mine. Ive heard that the suspension is similar

For all I know, Generation1 Camry aftermarket support is as close to nothing...with even toyota OEM parts being hard to find except for the common replacement things, such as spark plugs and hat not. The only real thing that I have found for the Gen1 is aftermarket struts, but nothing such as springs.

As for Gen2 parts, not sure but others might know.

[Mervk77]

Your springs might even come loose when you go over a bump too fast. Your shocks are designed for a certain height springs. Now with the lowered or cut springs. Hmmm.....

[rockhard]

look at this, it says the strut assembly will fit years from 83 - 92.
http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...Merch_SO:SI:IT
if that fits wouldnt springs from a 92 fit

[felkajamine]

If you have access to a car lift, or a vehicle bay where you can easily get see the springs and can mess with the springs while the vehicle weight is on them, then you take a blow torch and heat the springs up slowly. If done slowly enough, then the springs will compress and you can pull the torch off the springs when they are low enough. then repeat this process for the other springs.

now also I would do some testing, and only lower the springs half as much as you want to make sure that they won't sag after a week or two, then if you see no sagging, then I would torch 'em again to lower them even more.

personally I would go this route if at all possible because like previous posters have said, it's not safe, since the springs do have to sit properly on the struts. at the top and bottom of the springs they are cut and bent a certain way to set on the top and bottom of the strut housing. so please use caution if going this route.

good luck, and just to note, I have not tried this or talking to anyone who has, it's just an idea I heard of!