Can you do this?

[Artist Formerly Known As CHINO]

My friend just told me that he lowered his car by heating up his springs...

Can you really do this?

[Daryl]

Yes you can!

It was common practice in the sixty's and in the 80's the "low budget" low riders were known to do that also.

Not sure I'd try it on my TACO BURNER (yet)

I actually did it to a 1969 Corvette back in 1976

I purchased a wreck (from a friend for $500) that left the factory with a 427 but later had a 327 installed. After being wrecked someone installed a Mako shark tilt nose. Both the nose and the motor were lighter than the original equipment.

You guessed it, it sat too high. I heated up the front coils until the height was "correct". Didn't waste much time selling it after it was running.

Probably another reason why I hate aftermarket parts and amateur custom modifications. (but that's bad to say here)

[Sci-Fi]

Originally posted by Daryl
Yes you can!

It was common practice in the sixty's and in the 80's the "low budget" low riders were known to do that also.

Not sure I'd try it on my TACO BURNER (yet)

True Daryl, but I've seen those springs break/snap after awhile. Cheaper and safer just to go to your local spring company and have them make you up a set.

[Artist Formerly Known As CHINO]

Originally posted by Sci-Fi
I've seen those springs break/snap after awhile.

[Sci-Fi]

Originally posted by Artist Formerly Known As CHINO

Geez...Chino, can buy a set of 4 springs for $112 plus $25 shipping from Pro-Felge (40mm drop or 1.4") or $142 plus $25 shipping for the 60mm or 2.0" drop Weitec springs. Ralph has the 1.4" front and 2.0" rear combo set for $155 plus $25 shipping if you want to lower and lessen/eliminate the rake. Or you can just buy the rear sets ($69-$79 plus shipping) to get rid of the rake.

[Daryl]

Originally posted by Sci-Fi


True Daryl, but I've seen those springs break/snap after awhile. Cheaper and safer just to go to your local spring company and have them make you up a set.

I've had work done on leaf springs where they heated and re-arched them. Done properly, heat will not cause problems. Heat is used when they are made.

But you'll never reach $30,000 invested unless you "spring" for new ones!


PS: if you use the "heat 'em up" method you save $$ on the installation of new ones

Daryl

[ojsdna744]

Don't do it. Spend the dough and get some new springs. Hate to see you screw up a first-rate ride with a goofy trick like that. Just my 2 copper.

[CTFrank]

Torching the springs is a common trick among the low-buck Ricers, but done by an amatur it ruins the temper in the spring and can cause a local crystalization fracture if overheated.
In other words it screws up the ride and the handling and can cause a spring to break. It ain't worth it.

[QuicksilverDon]

Originally posted by CTFrank
Torching the springs is a common trick among the low-buck Ricers, but done by an amatur it ruins the temper in the spring and can cause a local crystalization fracture if overheated.
In other words it screws up the ride and the handling and can cause a spring to break. It ain't worth it.

I second that. Just try it with a small spring. Heat it cherry red, let it cool, pull & most likely it'll snap.

[PTCruisingPA]

Chino, you can make your car louder than Roseanne by removing the muffler... I just don't recommend it.

Like SciFi noted, they do tend to snap. With the materials that we're finding DC has used on the Cruiser, and the weight of these babies, I wouldn't do this either! Possible... yes. A wise thing to do... nope!