Cut springs - yea or passé?

[HwyCruiser]

Not to dig up this particular horse for another beating, but I'm trying to decide on which route to take with some suspension work.

I've got about 34.5k miles on the MM now and she feels like she needs some new shocks. I'm contemplating new OEM Tokico shocks, having the original springs cut by 1 coil and then getting an alignment.

A few of questions: How many miles should the OEM coils be good for? Should I buy new OEM coils and have them cut? If you cut new springs, did they settle enough to need another alignment? How's the ride quality with the cut springs for those that have had this done for awhile?

The other option is of course the Naake tuner setup, but that's a few more bones than I want to throw at the MM right now. I'm just looking to freshen up the ride quality back to near new, which was fine for me, and obtain a slightly lowered look.

Thanks for the input.

[Tallboy]

For what it's worth...

I cut both rear coil springs in my Mustang to get the car to sit straight and level [don't ask]. The springs did not settle noticeably. However, ride quality has been "compromised", moreso over big bumps. In day-to-day driving you don't really notice the difference and it does go through corners nicer.

I hope this helps a little.:)

[Donny Carlson]

Not to dig up this particular horse for another beating, but I'm trying to decide on which route to take with some suspension work.

The other option is of course the Naake tuner setup, but that's a few more bones than I want to throw at the MM right now. I'm just looking to freshen up the ride quality back to near new, which was fine for me, and obtain a slightly lowered look.

Thanks for the input.
I vote for doing nothing until you have the "bones" for the Naake suspension kit.

I have Eibachs, and even back when I bought them they were a cheap mod. Now, you can pick up a set for a song from some of us who are converting to the Naake setup.

And cutting springs, sure, but you still haven't solved the problem that's present with cut springs... the OEM shocks start out with not a lot of travel, and lowering the car by cutting springs or putting on Eibachs reduces travel even further. That's why the ride is not as good as original over broken pavement or speed bumps.

The Naake kit solves this, allowing you to lower the car and still have excellent shock travel. The ride is better than OEM, in my opinion.

Sure, it's a relatively expensive mod compared to cutting springs or putting on Eibachs, but at $600 aprox for the front kit, that really isn't bad.

[HwyCruiser]

I vote for doing nothing until you have the "bones" for the Naake suspension kit.

I have Eibachs, and even back when I bought them they were a cheap mod. Now, you can pick up a set for a song from some of us who are converting to the Naake setup.

And cutting springs, sure, but you still haven't solved the problem that's present with cut springs... the OEM shocks start out with not a lot of travel, and lowering the car by cutting springs or putting on Eibachs reduces travel even further. That's why the ride is not as good as original over broken pavement or speed bumps.

The Naake kit solves this, allowing you to lower the car and still have excellent shock travel. The ride is better than OEM, in my opinion.

Sure, it's a relatively expensive mod compared to cutting springs or putting on Eibachs, but at $600 aprox for the front kit, that really isn't bad.

Thanks Donny for your "been there done that" feedback. Did the Eibachs bottom out over bumps? Has anyone with the cut springs notice this?

I don't want to get anywhere near that issue due to a previous experience with a lowered pickup.

[GA-Marauder]

Thanks Donny for your "been there done that" feedback. Did the Eibachs bottom out over bumps? Has anyone with the cut springs notice this?

I don't want to get anywhere near that issue due to a previous experience with a lowered pickup.
I have Eibachs, and although I really like the look and the handling, they are a pain over large bumps. Especially speed bumps in parking lots. It's "easy does it" over those. Hope this helps.:)

[rayjay]

My experience is with my ZX3. The key is whether the OEM shocks can still perform well being compressed more. The general answer is not for long. As stated above, buy a package that was made to lower and improve the handling of the car. Its worth the extra money to do it right.

[Dark_Knight7096]

I have Eibachs, and although I really like the look and the handling, they are a pain over large bumps. Especially speed bumps in parking lots. It's "easy does it" over those. Hope this helps.:)
Guys the car is a performance vehicle. If you wanted nice ride quality the purchase should have been a Grand Marquis, or a CV Sport. My car has the Eibachs on it, and yes i will say the bumps are very noticeable but I have previously owned a 1970 Mustang an 86 Towncar with the air compressor for the suspension blown, and a 96 Mustang GT, and even with the Eibachs on the car, it is still a million times nicer over the bumps than all three of those and my other three cars had stock suspensions. It's not that big of a deal if you ask me, but then again for me, it's an improvement. Just MHO, not to offend anyone, sorry, if i did i prostrate myself before you and beg of your forgiveness :bows:

[cyclone03]

10000 miles on -1 coil front springs dropped the front about 3/4".

Honestly I can't feel anyride change at all,but boy does the front stick in turns.


You will need an alienment.

I wouldn't cut more than 1 coil though,you could create an unalienable front end.

[HwyCruiser]

10000 miles on -1 coil front springs dropped the front about 3/4".

Honestly I can't feel anyride change at all,but boy does the front stick in turns.


You will need an alienment.

I wouldn't cut more than 1 coil though,you could create an unalienable front end.

Thanks cyclone03, that's what I'm looking to do - 1 coil cut and new shocks + alignment. 3/4" drop would probably be just what I'm looking for.

I don't even care that much if it improves the handling, as long as it doesn't take away from the smooth ride and restricts the travel so much that I don't have to baby it over speed bumps more than I already do.