DIY: Cutting Rear Springmount aka "the springmount mod"

[redlude97]

I decided to purchase a new set up rear springmounts and recut them, taking a little bit less off this time. Credit goes to Gsedan35, who was the first to do this, and Borahatch for giving me tips on how to go about cutting the mounts.
See Gsedan35's DIY on installing springs to remove the rear springmounts.
http://www.g-owners.com/article_read.asp?id=25
The pieces look something like this:
Side

Top


Tools:
Hacksaw
Tape
C-Clamp
Vise
WD-40 or similar lubricating spray
Rags

Start by taping a ring around the springmount of exactly how much you want to cut off. How much you cut will be how much more drop you will get so measure accordingly before cutting. I used Duct tape, but anything will work as long as it sticks to the rubber. I don't recommend blue painter's tape, because I used it the first time and it doesn't really stick to the rubber.


Next, get a rag or in my case some disposable gloves and insert into the hollowed out end of the springmount to provide a cushioned area for the C-clamp to seat to. Install the C-Clamp like in the picture and tighten until the springmount is difficult to rotate/move. Make sure to not overclamp or you can crack the plastic.




Insert the C-Clamp into your vise to provide a stable cutting rig


Get out your hacksaw and WD-40 or equiv


Begin by lubricating your hacksaw blade and springmount by spraying WD-40 onto the blade and rubber, and begin sawing along your tapeline. The outer ring of the springmount is rubber, but the inner ring is made of a plastic, so saw through the plastic. Loosen the clamp and rotate the mount 1 notch and retighten and continue sawing until you cut all the way around the mount, being careful to cut as straight and evenly as you can.


Once you finish cutting, you should end up with something that looks like this, they aren't exactly straight, but close enough, I've been running them for 6 months and no problems here


Here is a comparison of the height difference after cutting, ~1/2"


Reinstall in stock location


End up with a even drop! Dropped on 350z Tein H-Techs, but will work with any spring




Be prepared for camber issues in the rear, just like any drop in the rear over 0.4", I installed the SPC rear camber kit as well and will be getting an alignment soon.

[archspeed]

Nice!

[THE TECH]

Interesting.

[brandonanix]

wow, that is such an awsome idea!!!! are those spring mounts, the same as a 350z? where can they be purchased??? Ive been wanting to lower my rear an extra .5 inches cus my eibach pro's dont look low enough in the rear, and this seams to be the perfect solution!

[BhashaZ]

Additional discussion about this mod can be found here: http://www.my350z.com/forum/showthread.php?t=187959

[redlude97]

FYI, I have a set FS in the marketplace if you don't want to cut your stock ones http://www.my350z.com/forum/showthre...62#post3265162

[MyV6IsFast3r]

I had this idea forever ago since my Tein didn't lower the rear quite enough. I think I may do this here soon. Good job.

[AWDBall20]

Nice solution to those who went with springs and are unhappy with drop. Anyone have feed back as to negatively affecting the suspension geometry?

[redlude97]

Originally Posted by AWDBall20

Nice solution to those who went with springs and are unhappy with drop. Anyone have feed back as to negatively affecting the suspension geometry?

Not in any way that is different than shorter springs would, another added "benefit" is a slightly higher observed springrate because of less rubber to compress during use.

[flynbrin]

nice write up

[black06z]

damn, nice way to get rid of .5" of that rear wheel gap. I might do this later.

[z-u-later]

I finally shaved about 1/2" of the rear spring mount to level my Z. I also installed Espelir Active GT springs & Koni adjustable struts. Here are pictures of my Z at the auto-x this weekend. I really liked the way this mod leveled my Z. I still have '06 stock tires & rims.

[TuscaniJon]

where can you by and extra set for the car if you want to try this mod? and whats the product number?

[FirstZ]

Originally Posted by TuscaniJon

where can you by and extra set for the car if you want to try this mod? and whats the product number?

I just order a set from nissanpartscheap.com, $45 BUCKS for the rear top pair!

http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...&catal ogid=1

[350Zenophile]

Thinking of doing this. How long would you say it took you to do the cutting?

I wonder if a machine shop would be able to do this more accurately...

[MarkM]

Originally Posted by 350Zenophile

Thinking of doing this. How long would you say it took you to do the cutting?

I wonder if a machine shop would be able to do this more accurately...

machine shop will struggle to clamp them, there's no real way to hold these properly. Best way is actually as above with a hacksaw and cutting oil to keep the blade moving. About 5 mins each one, very easy to swap out too Very happy I did mine!

[bbs350z]

i have 25mm spacers on the rear, and already lowered on tein s techs. will this hit my fender if i take off about 1/ an inch? right now i can get 2-1/2 fingers in between on the rears.

[redlude97]

Originally Posted by drift_projekt_Z

i have 25mm spacers on the rear, and already lowered on tein s techs. will this hit my fender if i take off about 1/ an inch? right now i can get 2-1/2 fingers in between on the rears.

Without the offset, width, tire size, and camber settings, we can't really answer that for you

[cali Z]

So is the "cut" equal to the lowering distance? ie: cut off .6" and get lowering of .6" ???? Here is where I'm sitting now...

[redlude97]

Originally Posted by cali Z

So is the "cut" equal to the lowering distance? ie: cut off .6" and get lowering of .6" ???? Here is where I'm sitting now...

Yes, +/- .1" for slight variability in measuring and cutting differences