DIY: Cutting Rear Springmount aka "the springmount mod"
 

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
http://students.washington.edu/nguye...Mod/Precut.jpg
Top
http://students.washington.edu/nguye.../PrecutTop.jpg

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.
http://students.washington.edu/nguye...d/Tapeline.jpg

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.

http://students.washington.edu/nguye.../ClampSide.jpg
http://students.washington.edu/nguye...d/ClampEnd.jpg

Insert the C-Clamp into your vise to provide a stable cutting rig
http://students.washington.edu/nguye...20Mod/Vise.jpg

Get out your hacksaw and WD-40 or equiv
http://students.washington.edu/nguye...od/SawWD40.jpg

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.
http://students.washington.edu/nguye...od/Cutting.jpg

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
http://students.washington.edu/nguye...d/CutAngle.jpg
http://students.washington.edu/nguye...Mod/CutTop.jpg
Here is a comparison of the height difference after cutting, ~1/2"
http://students.washington.edu/nguye...od/Compare.jpg

Reinstall in stock location
http://students.washington.edu/nguye.../Installed.jpg

End up with a even drop! Dropped on 350z Tein H-Techs, but will work with any spring
http://students.washington.edu/nguyenh6/SideDrop.jpg
http://students.washington.edu/nguyenh6/Finger.jpg
http://students.washington.edu/nguyenh6/HTech_Gap.jpg

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.
http://students.washington.edu/nguyenh6/HCamber.jpg

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!

Additional discussion about this mod can be found here: https://my350z.com/forum/brakes-and-suspension/187959-06-upper-rear-spring-seat-free-lowering-mod.html

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.

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.

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...=5&catalogid=1

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!

question
 

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

Has anyone done this with the Tein S.techs on the Z?

is there anyway to lower the front

Yes - new springs/suspension. Other than that - no.

Anyone who did this have any negative issues come up?

Basically all I have to do is take off the wheel right? No removing of any suspension parts is required in order to get to the upper spring seating?

No, you will have to remove the rear springs to get to the springmount. You do not need a spring compressor, just a jack and some jackstands.

Anyone have the rear settle a bit lower than expected ?

So im wonderin, With the Stock shock, will this be an issue?
Cuttin the rear mount 1/2 inch... or how much should i cut?
Im already on Hotchkis springs...

Attachment 414000