Rear Sring - 7 or 9 leaf?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Cincinnati Ohio
Rear Sring - 7 or 9 leaf?
I'm in the process of dropping the differential to replace the rear cover which had cracked. Today I removed the rear spring (not fun) which is quite rusted. It got me to thinking about replacing the spring. Looking online I notice there is a 9 leaf standard or 7 leaf HD replacement for my car. What is the difference between the two? Any recommendation as to which to replace mine with? Thanks! Dave
Pro
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 599
Likes: 0
From: New York
Springs...
I believe the 7-[heavy duty]- is 4 the big blocks..n the 9 is standard....Have u looked into composites....That's the way I'm going when I do my rear this month..............Jerrylee///
Last edited by jerrylee; Jan 13, 2007 at 06:51 PM.
Racer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 264
Likes: 0
From: Fort Myers, Fl / St. Paul, Mn
I got mine at VB&P (a supporting member) and you could install on your lunch hour. Very easy and just simple tools.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,837
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Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Cincinnati Ohio
Racer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 264
Likes: 0
From: Fort Myers, Fl / St. Paul, Mn
Dual mount allows you to adjust the spring to your preference. Also has a stabilizer effect due to the wide mount. There is no comparison between a steel spring and a composite. The glass is so much smoother you'll think you're in a different car. There are no dirty, rusty leaves to rub and squeak against each other. Even if you don't spend the extra $300 for the dual mount go with the glass rear. Small block? - Soft springs - stiff shocks.
If you really want to spend some money on suspension do the front too. I did and it's the best money I've spent on the car to date. I replaced the front coils with VB&P's kit with tubular upper and lower control arms and glass spring. I can raise or lower every corner of the car to whatever height I want. Rides GREAT!
If you really want to spend some money on suspension do the front too. I did and it's the best money I've spent on the car to date. I replaced the front coils with VB&P's kit with tubular upper and lower control arms and glass spring. I can raise or lower every corner of the car to whatever height I want. Rides GREAT!
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 453
Likes: 1
From: Austin TX
I went through this a while back. I ended up getting a 7 leaf 2.25" HD spring (had to use 1/4" shims as they don't have this spring in 2.5") for my small block 78. I had a 9 leaf from another company that did nothing but arc out of spec and I could never get my half shafts parallel unless I used a 10" bolt which placed the spring 1/4" from the tire. I still have the large bolts installed with the 7 leaf from Vansteel, but I plan to cut the excess off once I reinstall the spare tire cover, get new exhaust, and put a full tank of gas in to see where I stand.
As far as balancing the front for the spring I used, I just replaced the springs with VB&P 460lb Grand Touring Coil Springs. The car just barely sits higher (1/4" maybe?) in the front due to the fact I went to aluminum heads, headers, and I still haven't installed my A/C. If all these things are in place you'd probably sit stock level. As mentioned the car will be leveled correctly from the back once the rest of the stuff is installed.
As far as balancing the front for the spring I used, I just replaced the springs with VB&P 460lb Grand Touring Coil Springs. The car just barely sits higher (1/4" maybe?) in the front due to the fact I went to aluminum heads, headers, and I still haven't installed my A/C. If all these things are in place you'd probably sit stock level. As mentioned the car will be leveled correctly from the back once the rest of the stuff is installed.
