Lowering By Cutting Stock Springs on 99-04 V6 STICKY ICKY
Cutting Front Stock Springs on 99-04 V6
<Written and PicturesBy : MustangMike2001>
Tools Needed:
- Jack
- Jack Stands
- Coil Spring Compressor (You can rent one from Autozone for a refundable $50+tax)
- Tie Rod End Puller (Can also be rented from Autozone $10+tax)
- Fork (Rentable at Autozone 10+tax)
- Hammer
- Pliers
- Torque Wrench
- Various Size Wrenches and Sockets
You can do this one side at a time or do both at the same time. It dosn't really matter the
directions are the same for either side. You may need to do some of the steps to both sides
at the same time though such as unbolting the stablizer bar b/c you can't raise it up and
out of the way unless both sides are unbolted. I like to work mainly on one side but move
over to the other side occasionally to get something going over there too. But you can do
it however you want. You will have to get an alignment done once this is completed.
HOW-TO:
1. Loosen the lug nuts on the front wheels
2. Block the wheels and pull the parking brake
3. Jack the front of the car up and support it on jackstands
4. Use pliers to untwist and pull out the cotter pin on the tie rod end stud then remove
the nut <see pic 1>
5. Disconnect the tie rod ends from the steering knuckles with a puller
6. Disconnect the stabilizer bar from the control arms by removing the top bolt and
bushing. The bushing just slides right off. Becareful b/c the bar may pop up with some
force. <see pic 2>
7. Use a spring compressor to compress the coil spring untill all tension is relieved. Be
very careful b/c the spring can sometimes come loose from the compressor and it could hurt
you. Do your best to avoid putting your hands anywhere near or on the coil while it's
compressed. It's a good idea to use somthing such as a chain to tie the coil down to
something on the car just in case it should come free. I have had one pop loose on me
before without anything holding it and it did'nt really do much but there is alot of force
there so be safe.
8. Loosen the nut that holds the balljoint to the steering knuckle just enough to give room
for it to move but keep it on some to prevent the control arm from falling once it is
freed. <see pic3>
9. Use a hammer or fork to break the control arm free. I prefer to use a hammer b/c the
fork will sometimes destroy the boot on the balljoint and if that happens you have to
replace it.
10. Once the control arm is free unbolt the balljoint stud. (BTW this is a good time to
check your ball joints and replace them if necessary.)
12. Lower the control arm down
13. Decompress the coil spring and remove it from the control arm. Once again be safe. Keep
your hands away from it and keep it pointed away from you untill all tension is releived.
14. Take the top and bottom bushings off of the coil. The bottom tends to be grimey so you
may need to use some WD40 like I did to get it to slide off.
15. Cut length from the BOTTOM of the springs to your liking. I got a 1.5in drop by cutting
off one full coil and then another inch worth of length into the next coil. You can cut
more or less depending on how much of a drop you want. After you have cut them grind down
the cut to make it smooth and spray it with some antirust spray paint. Black Rustoleum
works great. Let the paint dry.
16. Once the paint has dried put the top/bottom bushings back onto the coil springs
17. Put the coil back into the control arm in the groove leaving one of two drain holes
open
18. Compress the coils down using only the long arm hook. Be sure to leave the short armed
hook hanging down so it will be easy to drop it out through the bottom of the control arm
when you're done. You'll see that the coil will have to have a curve to it in order for it
to fit back into place. You will need to position the hook on the side that the coil needs
to curve in towards so when you compress it down it leans toward that side. Unless you're
lucky you may need to loosen it up and reposition the hook if you don't get it to curve
exactly right the first try. <see pic 4>
19. Compress the spring down untill you can lift the control arm up and the coil lines up
with the top pocket.
20. Use a jack to raise the control arm back up to a normal ride height position
21. Bolt the balljoint back to steering knuckle, torque (109-149in-lbs)
22. Bolt the tie rod back to steering knuckle, torque (132-192in-lbs) and replace cotter
pin
23. Bolt the stablizer bar back to the control arm, torque (35-47in-lbs)
24. Release tension on the coil
25. Put the wheels back on
26. Take the car off jackstands and lower it back down
YOU'RE DONE!
Cutting Rear Springs
<Written and Pictures By : cisurfer>
-Start by jacking the rear of the car up and place a jack stand on each side (not on the axle).
-Take both tires off the rear.
-Start on either side by placing a jack on the axle housing near the shock.
-Preload the springs by jacking up the axle an inch or two.
-Unbolt the lower shock bolt (circled in red in the picture).
-Carefully lower the jack and push downward on the axle and pull the spring out. You may need someone to pull the axle down while you go for the spring. Also try using your foot and pushing the spring to loosen it up.
-Repeat this on the other side of the car.
-Once the springs are out cut the desired height off the top of the springs. Make sure it is the top and not the bottom because the bottom is a different size. I only took off ¾ of a coil because the spring sits flat on the top.
-Once you have both springs cut perfect with each other have someone push the axle back
down while you put the spring back in I found it easier to line the bottom of the spring in
the isolator and the put the top in. You may have to try to line it up perfectly a couple
of time because of the new angle created.
-Once the spring is in place the jack under the axle again and jack it up until the bottom shock mount is even with the bolt holes and reinstall the bolt. Do this for the other side, reinstall the tires and enjoy your lowered stang.
RE: Lowering By Cutting Stock Springs on 99-04 V6 STICKY ICKY
Could you get a shop to cut your springs, i dont really trust myself doin it... Ive never heard of anyone going to a shop to have em cut, but i figure it wouldnt be too bad for cost etc
RE: Lowering By Cutting Stock Springs on 99-04 V6 STICKY ICKY
to tell you the truth its really nothin at all to cut them.....even if you have a hacksaw its so easy to do...just make sure you measure both in the same spot
Lowering By Cutting Stock Springs on 99-04 V6 STICKY ICKY
