Compress existing springs?

[otterhere]

Yes, I am "mechaniclueless"...

But have always been bothered by how "high" and "bouncy" my 2008 stock Yaris rides and recently inquired about buying and installing lowering or sport springs. Seems I read something about "compressing" springs, though...

Is this possible and, if so, is it recommended?

Thanks; d'oh...

[WeeYari]

There are coil clamps that you can buy that will draw two coils closer together. They can pull them to the point where they touch, effectively completely eliminating one coil. Don't know how well they work, but they are cheap to buy and could be a good experiment.

You can google 'coil clamps' and get some initial education on the matter.

[12 yaris]

Heat them with a torch,or you can do it the right way and purchase lowering springs...
I purchased the springs tonight and installed them(2in.drop)...

[BEEF]

I wondered about just cutting a ring out of the existing springs to achieve the drop.

it won't help the bounciness. the spring rate won't change. if you want it stiffer, you need stiffer springs (with a higher spring rate). mine are progressive meaning the more they are compressed, the stiffer they are. gives a soft feel at first but then stiff in corners (or speed bumps unfortunately)

[yarisugi]

Yes, I am "mechaniclueless"...
I read something about "compressing" springs, though...
Is this possible and, if so, is it recommended?
It's possible to compress springs with clamps.
It's also possible to heat the coil springs up until they come close to each other.
It's also possible to cut one coil off.
but NONE of these are recommended.
What's recommended? Buying a set of lowering springs that's made for your car.
You can buy them new or look in the [For Sale] section for used ones.
In fact, there's a member right now selling a set of used lowering springs.

[ljming99]

It's possible to compress springs with clamps.
It's also possible to heat the coil springs up until they come close to each other.
It's also possible to cut one coil off.
but NONE of these are recommended.
What's recommended? Buying a set of lowering springs that's made for your car.
You can buy them new or look in the [For Sale] section for used ones.
In fact, there's a member right now selling a set of used lowering springs.

Just to add on,

By modifying the original springs, you have change the specs of it - (e.g. spring rate / sprung/ unsprung weight)

That in return changes the way the car handles and that can be very dangerous in high speed cornors or even in emergency braking as the behaviour the car can become unpredictable.

When it involves handling, braking or even tyres which are also the safety aspect of a vehicle.......Never take the shortcut or cheap way out.

[12 yaris]

Do it the right way....

[TPA5]

I'm just going to chime in agreement with others here. New KSport lowering springs are quite inexpensive, and these used ones being sold: http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=40791 are even cheaper. Do it right the first time, no regrets later.

You know how the saying goes: "Go quality, cry once. Go cheap, cry forever."

[otterhere]

I've been penny-wise and pound-foolish before, and I probably will be again, but not when my life's at stake. Thanks, guys! Put in a "bid" to 1.5; hope he's not insulted.

[yarisugi]

You should send him a PM, not post it up for all to see.
I'm insulted.

[Yaristeve]

So much misinformation...

You CAN cut coils out of a spring without problem (I've done it myself back in the day). But there are so many variables, if you don't know what you are doing, you probably shouldn't.

If you cut coils, it WILL raise the spring rate (make it stiffer). The number of coils is one factor that determines a spring's stiffness.

You cannot heat coils (with the spring on the car) because you will destroy the temper and you will have NO control how low the car will drop.

Those spring clamp thingys my be good for a temporary fitting (for checking clearances, looks, etc.) but there is no way I would leave them on permanently.

If your car is "bouncy" (as in cycles more than 1 1/2 times), you probably have blown shocks.

[Putting on old codgers' hat] Modders have it so easy nowadays. Back in the day, we never had the range of aftermarket coils, shocks, coilovers, bushings, RCAs, sway bars, custom tubular arms, etc. Springs: cut your own. Performance shocks: Koni (on-road) or Bilstein/KYB (offroad). Everything else: custom ($$$)

[1.5]

I've been penny-wise and pound-foolish before, and I probably will be again, but not when my life's at stake. Thanks, guys! Put in a "bid" to 1.5; hope he's not insulted.

Nice I just saw this post then checked my thread and responded.

As Yarisgui said please PM for price discussion

Do not go the cheap route when it comes to springs, this is your cars connection to the ground, you don't want it to be ghetto rigged.

[yarisugi]

what misinformation?
OP asked if it's possible and if it's recommended.

@Beef - Do not cut the coils on a Yaris. If you do, the coils will not sit on the perches correctly. (Notice how the coils taper to a smaller diameter on the ends)

[Yaristeve]

what misinformation?
OP asked if it's possible and if it's recommended.

Heat them with a torch,...

I wondered about just cutting a ring out of the existing springs to achieve the drop.... ...the spring rate won't change.

It's also possible to heat the coil springs up until they come close to each other.

That in return changes the way the car handles and that can be very dangerous in high speed cornors or even in emergency braking as the behaviour the car can become unpredictable.

Perhaps I should have said, "so much bad advice"?

If you're short on money, long on time, not looking for the perfect ultimate race car handling, AND you know what you are doing, there is nothing wrong with snipping a coil or two from the stock springs.

[1.5]

I prefer my car not to act like a jetski when I drive down the road ^^

[yarisugi]

possible versus recommended.

I've done all of them "back in the day" as well - Back when coils were straight
coils, not tapered and when there were few aftermarket parts. Heating coils
just for the lowered look, sacrificing ride, was the cheapest way to go. But the
Yaris and many "newer" cars are different from old school. If you look at the
Yaris coils they're not straight. I highly suggest you buy a set of aftermarket
coils rather than cutting them.

@otterhere - I agree with Yaristeve on getting new shocks as well. After you drive over a bump, do you get that floating feeling like you're on a magic carpet?

[BEEF]

I had pointed out to the OP (in another thread) that drop springs could be had for ~$150. I was trying to think of something you could do that was actually cheaper. I have changed my springs and went with H+Rs. I honestly didn't look too closely at the springs I took off. I know guys have cut springs before.

[otterhere]

Okay, guys; trying to get estimates here... Now they want to know if the STRUTS have to be removed first... Yes, no? Over $300 if yes, PLUS the cost of the springs and shipping; don't think I'll bother for just over an inch of lowering! Around $100 if not...

[1.5]

in the rear the struts do not need to be touched.

in the front yes, you will need to remove the struts, use a spring compressor to squeeze the springs together and unassemble the strut while the spring is compressed and remove the spring from the strut then place the new spring on the strut and reassemble. Reinstall and done.

[33OH]

I ran coil clamps on my DF210's to make them lower. They work, but make your ride bouncy and will eventually fail and come off. You also will need to remove your shock/strut/spring assembly and use spring compressors to add them - so why not just install a new spring while you're at it? Same amount of work involved pretty much.

Also, do not cut Yaris springs. As others have said, they taper and will not sit on the perch correctly if cut.

[BEEF]

ok, here is all you need to know. you may want to print this out and show it to your guy. then there is no question about what you need to do.

[otterhere]

ok, here is all you need to know. you may want to print this out and show it to your guy. then there is no question about what you need to do.

Thank you, Beef! We seem to be the blind leading the blind here; the first mechanic I called had never even heard of the YARIS; made me spell it???

:iono:

And if anyone has a link to PICTURES of removing the back seat, I'll take those, too!

Can't be too careful...

[BEEF]

back seat.

http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=306

not a pdf of it but someone that has done it. that should be really easy to do.

[otterhere]

Another question since, having to remove the struts, the mechanics want to charge me around $300... Plus the cost of the springs, plus the cost of shipping -- all for under 2" of difference? I'm at this point thinking, "Eh, not worth it!" Can I do just the back end (rear springs) since the struts DON'T have to be taken off there (will cost less to do) and it's the back end sticking up that really bothers me anyway; don't like the butt-up look.

[otterhere]

Estimates all in: Cutting or compressing springs being unsafe, I'd have it done the proper way, so $465 for parts and labor (maybe $400 if I bought used) to "drop" my Yaris to make it look better and stiffen the bouncy ride; my decision? Learn to love it...