Myred62

Does and one know the difference in the height between a 4 leaf and 5

leaf rear spring for a 1962? My front end sits higher than the rear. Car

was off frame in late 90s. Rear springs are 4 leaf now, thinking maybe

they were not changed or rebuilt during body off. I need to lift rear end

couple inches minium. Really don't want to use shackle lift if I can get

away from it. Would 5 leaf be too stiff a ride? What model was 5 leaf put on?


Thanks for any and all info..

Red 62

jimh_1962

I am not sure about the difference in the hieght of the rear. Just my input:

I have a set HD springs on the front and I can tell you the front end does sit about an inch maybe two higher in the front compared a car with regular springs. Plus there is no give on the front 550 lbs spring rate each side. Do you have any travel on the rear?

Could your rear springs need re arched? Also, maybe the shackles need to move slightly(not reversed. In my case, there is no rake at all on my car. It is pretty even. One more thing, I have about one inch of space between the rebound strap and the lower part of the axle. Not sure if that helps or not.

For sure HD springs will stiffen it up. At least I know it with the springs on the front. There is no give on the front at all.

Myred62

I think the rear travel is very limited...I really think they need to be re arched. Any idea what the arch should be stock. center bolt line of spring to bottom of spring with a load on it? I will check spacing on rebound strap. Do you know if the 5 leaf springs were used on Hi-Perf cars only? Mine is a 300 hp 4speed.

Thanks Red62

jimh_1962

5 leafs were a RPO option. I think there is information in the archives giving the measurements to use for rearching the springs.

The other thing to check is put the frame onto a set of jacks and let the wheels hange then tighten down the rear suspension. I had to loosen up all of the nuts and bolts on mine while the car was sitting on the concrete and add weight in the back to settle the rear end down. My car was the opposite.

Myred62

Thanks for the other option, I might be able to gain some height this way....I will also do some searching for other articles.

Red62

Redbird

Love your RED 62.

Myred62

Thanks for all the help..



Myred62

69ttop502

I put new 5 leafs from Eaton on mine. Below is a pic. I don't have a valid comparison for you since the ones I replaced were worn and not the originals.

Myred62

Thanks for reply ...

Your car looks to me like the rear is lower than front...

Is it possible to measure at center of wheel from ground to lowest part of fender, front and rear?

BTW..Very nice lookin 62

Fawndeuce

You may have the wrong front coils on your car. When I bought my '62, it had reproduction coils from the late eighties or early nineties. The car sat about two or three inches too high in the front.
Here is a pic from when I first bought the car, you can see the gap between the front tire and fender.



Paul

Myred62

Mine is not this high up front. But I will check the springs, maybe they are repo. the person who I bought it from was a picky person..I really doubt they are repo...But who knows..any idea what the total height(Length) of stock front spring?



Is it possible to measure at center of wheel from ground to lowest part of fender, front and rear?

[IMG][/IMG]

Fawndeuce

No same in repo coils if they are the right height. GM did not wind their own, they used outside suppliers like Eaton.
Your car does look high in the front, but it may only be the pic?
I just measured 27 1/2" from the ground to the front fender opening edge, through the center of the wheel.




Paul

69ttop502

I got 27" center of wheel well to ground rear and 27 3/4" front. Love your 62 as well.

Loren Smith

How about if you flipped your shackles upside down? That would jack it up, but probably too much.

corvette-62

I'm looking at all these '62's and mine sits like the rest of yours. I can't do any measurements now since I have my '62 up on jack stands for the winter. But it seems the front was always slightly higher than the rear. I wonder if I have the same "leaf spring problem"?

Myred62

Well, looks like we all are close in height...My car is up on dolly jacks right now, maybe i could drop them down and get measurements. I had them somewhere but misplaced them..Sure is no fun getting old..

Reversing the shackles might be a bit too much..

I'm thinking GM had this yr. setting a bit higher in front. But I am a Senior Citizen..

Maybe I should not post this in same thread, but seems like we had a good bunch of guys here. So, How does everyone who has to store their Car for the winter do so? On concrete, jackstands, drive on rack etc? Do you think it is better to keep the weight on suspension or not?.

They sure are some Beautiful cars....

AZDoug

Mine used to be 27.25" fender lip to ground in front, with the HD springs. It is now 27.75" after moving the battery to trunk, putting aluminum heads, alum manifold and alum water pump on and removing 100 cubic inches of cylinder wall material.....

My rear fender is 27.75" also (5 1/2 leaf rear springs), all measurements thru center of wheel, with a 26" tall tire. If I had stock tires, it would be 3/4" higher.

Doug

wmf62

i believe ST12 has measuring points and heights.
Bill

Dan Hampton

RedBird:

Woooowwww!!! That is one beautiful '62. Give us the details. Absolutely outstanding. Really like the small hubcaps.

Fawndeuce

Here's a pic of mine after I replaced the front coils, I think the stance is about right for a stock '62.



Paul