sleeps
+1y
The reason for this is, I printed out the "how to" 7 step process to help me cut my coils. Problem was it was referring to a older max, like a 90 or earlier. When I got down to it, it is not the same, and those directions do not work. Therefore, if your max or d50 has the shock inside the coil spring, this is for you.
1. Jack up front end and secure on 2 jack stands.
2. Remove wheels.
3. Unbolt sway bar and bushings.
4. Unbolt lower strut bar (goes to bottom of lower controll arm, also is bolted to the lower bump stop. Just the 2 bolts at the controll arm).
5. Unbolt bottom bolt for caliper, swing the caliper up for easier access.
6. Remove the 2 bolts on the lower part of the shock, and the upper bolt to remove the shock.
7. Put jack under lower controll arm once all these parts are unbolted and moved out the way.
8. I removed the upper ball joint castle nut to the spindle, and brake the ball joint away from the spindle. (they make a special tool for this that looks like a fork with just 2 points) Then slowly lower the controll arm down as far to the ground as you can. Also use something to hold the brake rotor/caliper/controll arm out of the way before you go in for the spring.
9. The coil make take a little soft prying to get out. Becarefull mine was still slightly compressed and "sprung" out with a little force.
10. I used a electric drill and a cutting disk. Took about 5 min to cut through. Cost me $5 for 2 disks. Filed the cut edge and sprayed some paint for corrosion protection.
11. Cut both bump stops as close to half as you can. *Hint* Top bump stop I unbolted and rebolted upside down on the top of the upper controll arm. Cut it right there with a plain hand saw.
12. Replace in reverse order-ish.
For a reference I cut exactly 1 coil and got a 2inch drop. Installed new monroe heavy duty gas shocks, rides great. I hope this helps people as it took me a few good hours figuring out why the directions I got were not correct.