So I've read several things about this........I know people with older cars do this and if done right they enjoyed a good ride....I know the first thing people will say "just buy lowering springs"....well I did..and the drop is only about 1.25"...and the wheel gap is just ridiculous...

I want to either keep 18"s or a step up to 19"s...so that is why I want to have the car lower that it is now...to fill the wheel gap and look good..

So my options are....
A. Cut stock Mazda springs to lower the car about 2"-2.5"
B. Cut the Pedders springs about 1" off

I read that each coil is about 1" can anyone verify this?

It's a real ghetto way of doing it that's for sure. Most springs have a different rate throughout the spring, so cutting a coil isn't just going to make it shorter, it'll change the spring rate. Your springs probably also have a kick in the coil at the end so it sits on the perch correctly. If you cut it off, it might not seat on the perch correctly.

dommo_g wrote:It's a real ghetto way of doing it that's for sure. Most springs have a different rate throughout the spring, so cutting a coil isn't just going to make it shorter, it'll change the spring rate. Your springs probably also have a kick in the coil at the end so it sits on the perch correctly. If you cut it off, it might not seat on the perch correctly.

I understand that it's the "ghetto" way to do it...but the options are limited...actually there are none....the BC Coilover is on indefinite hold...and the other springs on the market are about the same drop...So these are my options...I'm leaning towards cutting the stock ones and seeing how they look reinstalled...

You're in an SUV and you're concerned about wheel gap? Why didn't you buy an MS3 or MS6 if you wanted to sit low? I wouldn't cut the stock springs. It may look better sitting still, but you will bounce all over the place and it will handle like crap.

erod550 wrote:You're in an SUV and you're concerned about wheel gap? Why didn't you buy an MS3 or MS6 if you wanted to sit low? I wouldn't cut the stock springs. It may look better sitting still, but you will bounce all over the place and it will handle like crap.

Huge 2nd-

I didn't buy an SUV because I wanted off road ability...I liked the design and performance...I had a Mazda 3 and it wasn't big enough (interior wise) and I just didn't want a speed6...I have always been different with my vehicles...I like the fact that you don't see a modded out CX-7 everyday...I just wanted to see if I'd get any good input on this topic...maybe someone who has done it..but thanks for your input also..

If you really want to do it, and you're not too concerned about the loss in how the springs handle, why not try to torch them instead of cutting them? That way at least you'll still have the kick in the end of the spring so they sit correctly on the perches. Just make sure you torch the same coil in each spring for the same amount of time. lol @ ending up with a crooked ride.

dommo_g wrote:If you really want to do it, and you're not too concerned about the loss in how the springs handle, why not try to torch them instead of cutting them? That way at least you'll still have the kick in the end of the spring so they sit correctly on the perches. Just make sure you torch the same coil in each spring for the same amount of time. lol @ ending up with a crooked ride.

I've read that torching them can reduce the strength of the the spring....Fire and metal don't mix well.....

I think I will end up cutting the Pedders springs....If that doesn't work out very well I can put the stocks on or buy the H&R lowering springs to replace the Pedders....they're only $245...

I torched the springs on my first car, a 95 Ford Escort. It worked but the car bounced like crazy and when I took them off to put some stock springs back on before I sold it the torched springs were all mangled to hell. Don't think I'd ever do that again, but it was effective at lowering the car and it was cheap.

erod550 wrote:I torched the springs on my first car, a 95 Ford Escort. It worked but the car bounced like crazy and when I took them off to put some stock springs back on before I sold it the torched springs were all mangled to hell. Don't think I'd ever do that again, but it was effective at lowering the car and it was cheap.

That's what I've heard happens when you torch them....crazy, bouncy ride....From what I read...when cutting the springs a little the spring rate isn't really that bad...meaning the ride isn't going to be super bouncy...so if I take 1 coil or less off of the Pedders...the ride change won't be significant....

If there was another option to getting the drop that I wanted....I would obviously go that rout....

I think it's worth a go...

how long have you had your drop springs installed?? I know that when I dropped my 6 I didnt like the way it sit either.. I thought I still had a big gap also.. But after a few months of driving it, it seemed to settle more and the drop increased after time.. Just a thought for you to think about..

I've had them on about a year or so...not enough of a drop... they've settled already....When I had my 3s the Sprint spring I bought were supposed to lower the car 1.5" and it ended up closer to 2" after it settled ....But no such luck with Pedders...

Oh ya,, if its been a year,, then ya,, they are gonna stay where they are now...

That's what sucks.....I have a buddy who cut the springs on an older CR-V....it road really nice and he never had any issues.....We'll see how it goes....I'll start this project after the FMIC project...

Are you wanting to cut your factory springs or the after market lowing springs?