Pics--> Before and After Cutting my H&R

[ScottyC190E]

I have H&R non-progressive with Bilstein sports and had only the front cut 1/2 a coil and the cut was made from the bottom of the spring. I kept the #2 pads in front and #3's in back. I plan to go lower than this later, but for now it's fine. My cost of labor was $80. I plan to do it myself from now on.
Before:
http://www.scotty-c.com/gap/gap1.jpg
After:
http://www.scotty-c.com/cut/cut1.jpg
Before:
http://www.scotty-c.com/gap/gap2.jpg
After:
http://www.scotty-c.com/cut/cut2.jpg
Before:
http://www.scotty-c.com/gap/gap3.jpg
After:
http://www.scotty-c.com/cut/cut3.jpg


If you have any comments or questions they are welcome. Please excuse the crappy paint on the front bumper, this is being re-done. Later, Scott

[redline]

woo nice!! now you can 'bottom out' on those hills in San Fran:cool:

[KWiK]

what made you cut instead of buying a shorter set of springs?

[ScottyC190E]

Originally posted by KWiK
what made you cut instead of buying a shorter set of springs?

Because there is no difference in anything except it is lower and because I don't know springs that will give me the height I want...cup kit is too low and eibach is basically the same as mine...so what do you mean?

[oosix]

U didn't want to try #1 pads all around b4 u cut your springs? Was there a reason?

[ThreePointsix]

Originally posted by oosix
U didn't want to try #1 pads all around b4 u cut your springs? Was there a reason?

Hey scotty190,

I had #1's in the begining but then I went back to my stock 'thick' pads (3)F (4)RR. ........(B/C I was too ghetto low & camber was too bad).........#1's transmitt alot more vibration into the cabin(small cracks, tar strips) At first I blamed all the interior harsness on my own decision to cut my front coils, but it was the ultra thin #1's that were to blame! Unbelievable how much difference a piece of rubber will do for your NVH levels(noise, vibration, harshness)

Imo: Trimming the springs & running fatter pads will be more satisfying in the end. Mine is cut 1/2 coil in front & I have no gap at all (no fingers!). Some opinions are that a trimmed spring is either unsafe, non-performing, or whatever but I have never had problems in the long run.

[C280 JR]

honestly it took me the last set of pictures up close look to see any difference

Elvir

[timc]

your car is looking more and more sweet with every picture... keep up the great work...

[KWiK]

Originally posted by ScottyC190E
Because there is no difference in anything except it is lower...
Actually, cutting a coil or partial coil increases the spring rate.


...and because I don't know springs that will give me the height I want...cup kit is too low and eibach is basically the same as mine...so what do you mean?

H&R sport = 25mm
Vogtland = 40mm
H&R CupKit = 50mm

Just with those 3 spring choices and the various pad heights, I would expect you to be able to get the height you want. Of course, your way was cheaper.

[J Irwan]

Originally posted by ThreePointsix
Hey scotty190,
..........................

Imo: Trimming the springs & running fatter pads will be more satisfying in the end. Mine is cut 1/2 coil in front & I have no gap at all (no fingers!). Some opinions are that a trimmed spring is either unsafe, non-performing, or whatever but I have never had problems in the long run.



Yeah I notice this too by switching from pad #1 to pad #5 then down to pad#3... ;)




Regardz,


J Irwan

[babycarlsson]

Looks great Scott! Just right!!!

As for cutting springs - with my B3 Audi I had no choice of pads like we do with MB cars, and the rear end had larger gap than the front , so I cut one coil for the first time ever, no noticable difference in the ride quality - and now no gap :)

[Ozzie Bob]

Originally posted by ScottyC190E
I don't know springs that will give me the height I want How about Intrax :confused: They offer a 10mm lower drop for the ML than anyone else.....