Cutting front springs

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Ride_on
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Joined: 26 May 2009 05:34 pm
Location: Belfast, N. Ireland

Cutting front springs

Post by Ride_on » 18 Dec 2015 07:22 pm

I got some springs that seem to have had a rally history, so my GLT standard ride height 360 turbo is 2" higher at the front than the back.

Are there any simple rules for working out how much to cut? or is this a bad idea?
1980 345 DL_______1987 360 GLE (project car restored to GLT spec and B230FT'd)
1984 360 GLT______1987 360 GLT
1983 360 GLS______1989 360 GLE
1985 340 GL_______1986 340 1.4
1985 360 GLS______1995 940 SE 2.3 Turbo Estate (daily)
1987 340 GL 1.7

classicswede
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Re: Cutting front springs

Post by classicswede » 18 Dec 2015 08:34 pm

No simple rules but if you are going to cut the springs go half coil at a time. The turbo lump should drop the front so they must be stiffer or the rear springs have sagged
Dai

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Ride_on
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Location: Belfast, N. Ireland

Re: Cutting front springs

Post by Ride_on » 19 Dec 2015 12:04 am

These are the 50% stiffer springs you sold me. I was hoping if I started with cutting out the number of coils that represent 2" when compressed then it would need a bit more because the spring will be stiffer.

Are there any issues with cutting springs for normal ride height?
High spring.JPG
High spring.JPG (94.36 KiB) Viewed 6182 times
1980 345 DL_______1987 360 GLE (project car restored to GLT spec and B230FT'd)
1984 360 GLT______1987 360 GLT
1983 360 GLS______1989 360 GLE
1985 340 GL_______1986 340 1.4
1985 360 GLS______1995 940 SE 2.3 Turbo Estate (daily)
1987 340 GL 1.7

360beast
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Joined: 27 Dec 2013 08:40 pm

Re: Cutting front springs

Post by 360beast » 19 Dec 2015 10:00 am

I didn't realise Volvo were in to 4x4s back in the 80's haha.

I wouldn't cut springs at all, even if you cut them the exact same amount they will have different lb ratings and react differently. You could get some new standard springs somewhere surely?

Also the turbo engine is only about 30kg more so it won't make the front end drop drastically, definitely not enough to bring those springs down to standard height.

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bogbasic
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Re: Cutting front springs

Post by bogbasic » 19 Dec 2015 12:55 pm

30 kg, that's a bag of sand, gents, so the Skoda trick won't help either {^¿^}
1988 340 1.4 GL, 218k, 5 door (Grey Bess). Gone to CBA.
1991 340 1.7 GL, 64k, 5 door, petrol blue (Deep Blue).
1988 360 2.0 GLE, 140k, 5 door, ocean blue metallic (Blue Bess).
1989 340 1.7 GL, 108k, 3 door (Red Ness).
More info here!

classicswede
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Re: Cutting front springs

Post by classicswede » 22 Dec 2015 09:49 pm

Is the engine and all the bits fitted in that photo?
Dai

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Ride_on
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Location: Belfast, N. Ireland

Re: Cutting front springs

Post by Ride_on » 23 Dec 2015 01:22 am

Yes, pretty much fully loaded, car drives, no back window or passenger seat yet. Added an extra wheel in the boot to compensate for the back window and low fuel level.

Just double checked the rear springs are GLT spec, part number matches up with vida BOM (as best I can read it in situ). Seems very similar rear height to the GLE originals.More worried the back is light.

Rear: 62cm
Front: 69cm
arch to ground, old worn tyres

I'm thinking of some blocks of wood under the car with the springs and dropping the car onto them to gauge the drop. a 2" drop is about 2 coils length in the spring currently.
1980 345 DL_______1987 360 GLE (project car restored to GLT spec and B230FT'd)
1984 360 GLT______1987 360 GLT
1983 360 GLS______1989 360 GLE
1985 340 GL_______1986 340 1.4
1985 360 GLS______1995 940 SE 2.3 Turbo Estate (daily)
1987 340 GL 1.7

classicswede
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Re: Cutting front springs

Post by classicswede » 23 Dec 2015 01:37 am

I cant remeber the spring spec tbh but GLTs are lower than the other models. I would take one coil at a time out or possibly half a caoil ofter taking the first one
Dai

Please email me directly on dai@classicswede.co.uk

http://www.classicswede.com

phone/text 07824887160

Web shop http://www.classicswede.co.uk/

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derskine
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Re: Cutting front springs

Post by derskine » 23 Dec 2015 11:35 pm

I took 2 coils off my standard 360 springs which gave me about 2" drop.
1984 Volvo 360 GLE Saloon
1987 Volvo 340 1.7GL

Additionally -

1966 Ford MK1 Cortina
1971 Hillman Imp
1984 Renault 18 GTD

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