When replacing a spring it is often necessary to shorten it by cutting off a coil. If you just cut it off, you will end up with a sharp end and a face that does not run perpendicular to the centre line of the cylinder. This will cause the spring to buckle and eventually break. The correct procedure is to cut the coil off diagonally ensuring not to cut or mark any other coils.

Using a blow torch, heat the end coil to a dull orange and then using long nose pliers collapse the end coil to leave a flat surface at the end of the spring. Machine this flat and smooth out the edges inside and out to remove any sharp areas.

End of spring after cutting

Heat end of spring

End collapsed ready for machining flat