How to Cut Springs to Lower a Car

Removing/Preparing the Spring
1. Raise the front end of your car until both front wheels clear the ground and place jackstands underneath. Remove only one of the wheels.
2. Slip the spring compressor over one spring and engage it to relieve spring pressure from the suspension.
3. Remove the lower ball joint, steering end link and sway bar link. On most vehicles, this will necessitate removal of the cotter pin retainer and 'castle' nut. Insert the end of the ball joint separator forks into the joints and tap it with a hammer to separate the lower control arm from the steering knuckle.
4. Place the spring on a steady work surface. Mark the side of the spring on each coil directly below the 'unwound' tip of the spring. These marks will serve as your reference point to define where each 'coil' ends.
5. Starting at the top-most coil, cut along the reference line with your chosen weapon. After cutting, you'll wind up with a scrap piece of coil spring that resembles a ring.
6. Reinstall the spring onto your car. Reinstall all of the ball-joints and end-links, but do not insert the cotter pins or torque them down to spec yet. Reinstall the wheel and lower the car. Take a step back from your car to determine if you've achieved the drop you were after.
Finishing Up
7. If you're happy with the drop: Raise the car again, tighten all of your fasteners to spec and install the cotter pins. Repeat the single-coil cut procedure on the other side.
8. If you want more drop: Repeat Section 1 and cut another coil. Once you're happy with the drop, repeat the procedure on the other side.
9. Take your car to a shop to have the suspension realigned.