replacement leaf spring
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 291
Likes: 17
From: Woodinville Wa
replacement leaf spring
I am going to replace my leaf spring in my 63swc.Just some advice . Should I go with a standard 9 leaf or a 7 leaf What would the different with both.I do not want to use a composite spring. Thanks ....Vince
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 38,897
Likes: 1,926
From: Washington Michigan
63's didn't use a 7-leaf spring - that was used on F-40 on later cars, and had twice the rate of the standard 9-leaf spring. You need a 9-leaf spring (63-only design, with all nine leaves cambered). '64-up also used a 9-leaf spring, but the top three leaves were flat and only the bottom six were cambered. Mike at Eaton Detroit Spring can take care of you.
http://www.eatonsprings.com
http://www.eatonsprings.com
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,660
Likes: 7
From: DFW
If you are not in to an absolutely correct restoration and you do choose to update the rear suspension to the later, 7 leaf F-40/41 set up, be sure to get the matching front springs and sway bar, or get ready for some very tricky handling..
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,424
Likes: 619
From: northern CA
I was set to go with, and almost went with an Eaton replacement rear spring. The original 9-leaf rear spring in my '64 looked a little 'tired', after all.
When it came time to do the R&R thing I wanted to at least remove and inspect the rear spring before making any final judgment. With the rear spring removed from the car, cleaned and inspected, etc., the original rear spring appeared to be a good canididate for a rebuild. The decision then changed over to rebuild the original spring. A rear spring rebuild kit from Quanta supplied the necessary parts.
The rear spring rebuild restored rear ride height and worked out just fine. Just a FYI.
When it came time to do the R&R thing I wanted to at least remove and inspect the rear spring before making any final judgment. With the rear spring removed from the car, cleaned and inspected, etc., the original rear spring appeared to be a good canididate for a rebuild. The decision then changed over to rebuild the original spring. A rear spring rebuild kit from Quanta supplied the necessary parts.
The rear spring rebuild restored rear ride height and worked out just fine. Just a FYI.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 17,683
Likes: 3,680
From: Central Arkansas
I was set to go with, and almost went with an Eaton replacement rear spring. The original 9-leaf rear spring in my '64 looked a little 'tired', after all.
When it came time to do the R&R thing I wanted to at least remove and inspect the rear spring before making any final judgment. With the rear spring removed from the car, cleaned and inspected, etc., the original rear spring appeared to be a good canididate for a rebuild. The decision then changed over to rebuild the original spring. A rear spring rebuild kit from Quanta supplied the necessary parts.
The rear spring rebuild restored rear ride height and worked out just fine. Just a FYI.
When it came time to do the R&R thing I wanted to at least remove and inspect the rear spring before making any final judgment. With the rear spring removed from the car, cleaned and inspected, etc., the original rear spring appeared to be a good canididate for a rebuild. The decision then changed over to rebuild the original spring. A rear spring rebuild kit from Quanta supplied the necessary parts.
The rear spring rebuild restored rear ride height and worked out just fine. Just a FYI.
If the spring still has a little arch in it when sitting on the ground then a new one probably isn't going to accomplish much. Rebuilding the spring with all new liners and end link rubbers will restore quite a bit of ride height to the rear of the car if using standard end link bolts. If the spring has gone flat or worse then you probably are due for a new one.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,249
Likes: 143
From: South MS
If the spring still has a little arch in it when sitting on the ground then a new one probably isn't going to accomplish much. Rebuilding the spring with all new liners and end link rubbers will restore quite a bit of ride height to the rear of the car if using standard end link bolts. If the spring has gone flat or worse then you probably are due for a new one.
Thanks,
58n65
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 17,683
Likes: 3,680
From: Central Arkansas
Sorry - what matters is how much arch is evident with the complete car sitting on the ground and all the weight on the spring. Can't tell with it unloaded - but I think you know that.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 291
Likes: 17
From: Woodinville Wa
Just a little back ground.Over 20 years ago I had the leaf spring replaced because it had some broken leafs.Pot holes when I was living in Buffalo NY. I had one made with a exact main leaf.Do not ask me why it was a long time ago.The car sits high in the rear and is stiff.I am in the process of rebuilting the trailing arms and figure it would be a good time to go to a stock spring.From the advice I will go with the stock 9 leaf thanks for the in put.......Vince
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 291
Likes: 17
From: Woodinville Wa
I have been loking to get a stock leaf for my63. As JohnZ stated that the 63 had all 9 leafs cambered.All the leafs that I saw online had the top 3 or 4 leaf straight.I have sent a e-mail to Eaton springs to get their information any input??? Thanks Vince
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 38,897
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From: Washington Michigan
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 38,897
Likes: 1,926
From: Washington Michigan
Pro
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 623
Likes: 2
From: Sugar Land Texas
replacement leaf spring
Just a little back ground.Over 20 years ago I had the leaf spring replaced because it had some broken leafs.Pot holes when I was living in Buffalo NY. I had one made with a exact main leaf.Do not ask me why it was a long time ago.The car sits high in the rear and is stiff.I am in the process of rebuilting the trailing arms and figure it would be a good time to go to a stock spring.From the advice I will go with the stock 9 leaf thanks for the in put.......Vince
You wanted to make sure the car sat higher to drive it thru all that Snow and Blizzards
BuffaloBILL
