histoy

I'll be replacing the rear springs in a few weeks, so I've been reading some of the posts to prepare for the job. A couple have noted that using the stock bolts with the 9 leaf spring will make the rear end sit too high. Substituting 8" or even 10" bolts has been suggested as a cure for this. Do you guys recommend this initially, then switch to the correct length bolts later as the spring sags?

JohnZ

Depends which spring you start with - most of the no-name replacements (none of which have the correct number of leaves or configuration) come from Brazil, Pakistan, India, etc., and almost all of them jack the back end of the car WAY up in the air (which created the cottage industry for 8" and 10" spring link bolt kits).

If you go with the Eaton-Detroit 9-leaf reproduction spring, you can use the correct stock mounting parts and the rear ride height will settle to correct within 100 miles of installing it.

GUSTO14

John, what's the best source for the Eaton spring?

GUSTO

dkleather

Order right from the factory......http://www.eatondetroitspring.com/

JohnZ

Correct! When you get Mike Eaton on the phone, order your spring without paint - saves you the trouble of stripping the black shipping paint off of it when you disassemble it before you paint it gray and install a set of Quanta liners (if that's your plan); otherwise just install it and remove the shipping clips.

histoy

Thanks for the info guys. I had already purchased a "no-name" spring from Corvette America, so I guess I'll go to Fastenal and pick up a pair of 8" bolts & nuts.

65hihp

that was only 21 hours from the time you first asked for advise. No one can say that you over think this stuff....

Nowhere Man

if you look at the specs from GM good old hard wear store bolts wont cut it

histoy

Excellent point. Fastenal has been able to supply me with all the correct strength hardware I've needed for any of my old car projects. I plan to take an original with me and have them get me a longer one with the equivalent strength. They'll have time to get me what I need because I probably won't get to this project until after we return from Bloomington Gold.