The three basic coil spring ends are tangential, square, and pigtail. Here, Mike Eaton shows you how to recognize each type.
We have three basic types of ends:
Tangential Ends
The end of the spring twists off into space. If you try to stand this spring up on its end it will fall over.
Square Ends
The last coil bends back down to touch the coil below it. This style allows to spring to stand up when placed on this end.
Pigtail Ends
The last coil of the spring is square, but the diameter is much smaller than the body of the spring.
The type of ends of coil spring has is determined by how the springs are mounted in a suspension. A coil spring can have two of the same ends or could have two different ends.
The only coil springs that can be safely cut are coils with tangential ends.
