Spring de-arching or longer spring bolts - any ideas
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,717
Likes: 121
From: Sulphur LA
St. Jude Donor '05-'06,'11,'13-'14,'16,'18,'19,'24, '25
Spring de-arching or longer spring bolts - any ideas
There has been a lot of talk about shortening the rear spring for longer bolts in order to run wider wheels. Is there a down side to de-arching the spring, and using shorter bolts to allow the spring to extend into the rear wheel? I have 18” wheels so letting the spring extend into the wheel is not a problem. I am not sure if it can be done with 15” wheels maybe someone can check.
I had an extra leaf added to my spring in order to increase the spring rate, than I had the spring de-arched so it would extend into the wheel this allowed me to use shorter spring bolts. I spoke with the owner of the spring shop that done the work about the effects of de-arching the spring. He indicated that it would have little or no effect on spring rate. What are your thoughts on this?
Neal
I had an extra leaf added to my spring in order to increase the spring rate, than I had the spring de-arched so it would extend into the wheel this allowed me to use shorter spring bolts. I spoke with the owner of the spring shop that done the work about the effects of de-arching the spring. He indicated that it would have little or no effect on spring rate. What are your thoughts on this?
Neal
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,717
Likes: 121
From: Sulphur LA
St. Jude Donor '05-'06,'11,'13-'14,'16,'18,'19,'24, '25
After looking at RedBad1979's pics I don't think there is room with 15" wheels to allow the spring to extend into the wheel.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
Unless the spring is completely worn and tired so that it's flat with the car's weight on it there is no way you can have the spring extend into a 15" rim.
My spring is aftermarket or re-arched (previous owner installed it) so I needed the long bolts to get the ride height acceptable and the half shafts straight ...
I'm trying to find one of my old photos that show the same spring with the stock 6" bolts and post it... look at the half shaft angle with the car's weight on the spring.... it's a miracle that the U-joints didn't fail....
My spring is aftermarket or re-arched (previous owner installed it) so I needed the long bolts to get the ride height acceptable and the half shafts straight ...
I'm trying to find one of my old photos that show the same spring with the stock 6" bolts and post it... look at the half shaft angle with the car's weight on the spring.... it's a miracle that the U-joints didn't fail....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
OK... found it:
This photo was taken with the car's weight on the spring and the stock 6" bolts. The suspension had time (and a few miles) to settle.... the ride height was at 31 or so inches.... but the spring end wasn't close to the tire
This photo was taken with the car's weight on the spring and the stock 6" bolts. The suspension had time (and a few miles) to settle.... the ride height was at 31 or so inches.... but the spring end wasn't close to the tire
Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 575
Likes: 0
From: Nice Lake Ontario
My 69 rides high in the rear too! With angles like RedBad79.
How much weight from my SB to BB switch will be transfered to the rear? Enough to settle it down a couple inches? I doubt it!
I was also thinking of removing the top couple of short leafs!
That should soften the ride & allow the rear to settle down a little more!
Comments
How much weight from my SB to BB switch will be transfered to the rear? Enough to settle it down a couple inches? I doubt it!
I was also thinking of removing the top couple of short leafs!
That should soften the ride & allow the rear to settle down a little more!
Comments
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
Originally Posted by sxr6
My 69 rides high in the rear too! With angles like RedBad79.
How much weight from my SB to BB switch will be transfered to the rear? Enough to settle it down a couple inches? I doubt it!
I was also thinking of removing the top couple of short leafs!
That should soften the ride & allow the rear to settle down a little more!
Comments
How much weight from my SB to BB switch will be transfered to the rear? Enough to settle it down a couple inches? I doubt it!
I was also thinking of removing the top couple of short leafs!
That should soften the ride & allow the rear to settle down a little more!
Comments
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by RedBad1979
I would not remove leafs from the spring. With longer bolts your ride height and the half shaft angle will be fine
Chevy mans- what rear spring do you have? Repro's are usually much stiffer than stock.
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Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 12
From: Waterloo ontario Canada
15 in won't but I did a 17 inch this past winter that did allow the spring to pass inside the wheel. You would be fine with the 18 inch rims.
I too had a spring dearched once to lower the car without resorting to longer bolts
I too had a spring dearched once to lower the car without resorting to longer bolts
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,717
Likes: 121
From: Sulphur LA
St. Jude Donor '05-'06,'11,'13-'14,'16,'18,'19,'24, '25
Originally Posted by xcelciador
Roughly around 155-160 rate. I don't see how you would have any height problems.
