5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003) Learn more about the 5th Generation Maxima, including the VQ30DE-K and VQ35DE engines.

cut stock coil

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Old Nov 16, 2004 | 12:09 PM
  #1  
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cut stock coil

here's my max, unloaded it sits higher in the front, let alone when i load stuff in the trunk or have passengers. i want to lower the front 1" at the most. i know cutting coils is a bad thing, but i'm not going to slam it to the ground, just lower 1/2" - 1" to level it.

Old Nov 16, 2004 | 12:13 PM
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Don't do it.

You've been here long enough to know why, so I'm not going to get into it.
Old Nov 16, 2004 | 01:10 PM
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put drop springs in the front only. DON'T cut the springs.
Old Nov 16, 2004 | 08:20 PM
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cutting your factory springs is probably the worst idea i have ever heard
Old Nov 16, 2004 | 09:16 PM
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Do not cut the springs. If you put lowering springs on, but them on all 4 wheels. If you modify one end of the car, it throws the suspension off and your car will handle badly and make it more dangerous to drive.
Old Nov 17, 2004 | 04:51 AM
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Originally Posted by unrealii
Do not cut the springs. If you put lowering springs on, but them on all 4 wheels. If you modify one end of the car, it throws the suspension off and your car will handle badly and make it more dangerous to drive.

that is not true.
Old Nov 17, 2004 | 06:35 AM
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Originally Posted by JSutter
that is not true.
It throws off the suspension dynamics, so handling is better, worse? Explain.
Old Nov 17, 2004 | 07:39 AM
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Dude, just get some Eibachs, and call it a day. You can't go wrong.
Old Nov 17, 2004 | 11:00 AM
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Just think about it for a sec. The springs have a certain spring constant or stiffness to them. Cutting the springs will not change this. The springs on the car now were designed to have a certain amount of travel for most situations. This is why lowering springs are much stiffer. If you cut an inch off of the current spring, it no longer has that extra inch of travel available. End result is you will probably be hitting the bumpstops quite often. I'm sure you've hit them before when going over a large bump. How would you like to make that the norm? Just get some different springs if you want to lower it really bad. I would also recommend getting some adjustable shocks too. The OEM shocks were also designed for the stock spring. If you put a stiffer spring, which all lowering springs are, onto the OEM shock, it will not be able to properly dampen the spring. The result is a bouncy ride and a much shorter life of the shock.

Don't do it!
Old Nov 17, 2004 | 02:03 PM
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Amen on that one
Old Nov 17, 2004 | 02:40 PM
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aftermarket springs are not the same rates as stock, thats a given. Yes they custom tailor the front and rear springs to work with each other, but mixing different brands is not always a bad thing. You just need to know what kind of rates you want to set the car. If you get stiffer front springs the car will still understeer at the limit. Stiffer rear springs will reduce understeer.....too stiff in the rear anr you will oversteer. which is scary and you need to know how to control it.

Adding drop springs in just the front (stiffer rates of course) will add some understeer and probably nothing major in this case since dennisuello wants to go with a very small drop. If he installed H&R, or Maxspeed he should have no problems. I myself have used mixed springs with no adverse affects. If an aftermarker RSB is safe, then dropping the front only would be a lot safer.

Another 5th genner has Eibachs in the front only find out who it is and see whats up with the handling.

Also if you buy coilovers you can order different spring rates to set the car up your own way.
Old Nov 17, 2004 | 03:37 PM
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yeah, i get the point. i was just looking for an easy cheap way to do it. i will plan on doing a full drop then.
Old Nov 17, 2004 | 04:14 PM
  #13  
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Originally Posted by dennisuello
i will plan on doing a full drop then.
..............using a matched set of aftermarket springs!!
Old Nov 17, 2004 | 07:45 PM
  #14  
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makes the most since.

There is a gallery with measurements and what not about all the 5th gen springs. Really good info. Have you seen it?
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