My 9 leaf is just about dead. The ends of each leaf are bent up and it just ain't stiff enough with the 490lb ft springs. Due to the lack of availability over here and a crappy exchange rate, I am getting a new rear spring made up.

Do the 7 leaf springs have different measurements to the 9 leaf? ie. wider/longer/thicker?

Does anyone by chance have the lengths/width/thickness of each leaf handy? I figure I could give that to the spring maker to make things easier to get what I want.

:cheers:

 

Anyone????

 

Well, it seems to me that your spring maker should have - or have easy access to - the specs to about any spring ever made.

So . . . I'd ask them about it before digging around much.

 

Why would an Australian spring maker have specs on a Corvette? Ring your spring maker and ask him for the specs of an EH Holden and see what answer you get.

I just thought someone might have what I wanted, but if not no big deal.

 

"Why would an Australian spring maker have specs on a Corvette?"

I'm not saying that he necessarily does, I'm saying that it should not prove a huge problem for him to obtain the specs. The specs certainly exist, therefore he will have an industry source for them.


"Ring your spring maker and ask him for the specs of an EH Holden and see what answer you get."

There is no doubt in my mind that he could come up with them - though he'd certainly need more info than that -- year, engine, etc, etc. They have been in business since the 1850's when they worked on horse-drawn wagons. Hehe.

I'll dig around a little. Maybe I can find something useful for you.


EDIT ---

FWIW, I found a part number for that rear spring: GM #462598---7 leaf, 2-1/2"

Sorry, no specs that a manufacturer can make use of, though the part number may lead him to something.

Also, a couple of thoughts for you . . .

. . . you will also need the HD shocks to control that spring.
. . . I am unsure of the wisdom of pairing the heavy rear spring with the "base" coils out front. It sounds like a handling nightmare in the making.
. . . if you go to the heavy coils up front, you will need HD shocks up there, too.
. . . be aware that there will be a very noticable "degradation" in the ride and comfort with heavier springs.


[Modified by 45ACP, 10:44 PM 1/21/2002]

 

Chris, I took some measurements on a repo 7-leaf spring. Not sure what the exact differences are between it and the original HD spring.

Top Plate...........7 1/8 in
Leaf #1............11 in
Leaf #2............15 1/2 in
Leaf #3............22 1/4 in
Leaf #4............28 3/8 in
Leaf #5............35 1/2 in
Leaf #6............41 1/2 in
Leaf #7............48 1/2 in


The leaves are 5/16 inch thick, and are 2 1/4 inches wide which I think is correct for all springs 1963 through 1977, and there are plastic liners between each leaf.

 

Thanks mate. That, along with info John Dirks gave me I have exactly what I need. The spring manufacturer will make me one for AU$180 which is pretty cheap I thought, considering I was looking at over $400 to ship one over here.

45ACP - Thanks too. Agree regarding the shocks. I have upgraded the ft to 490lb and rides good. I have average Gabriels in at the moment but will eventually upgrade to Koni/Bilstein or the like.

I really appreciate your efforts.:flag

:cheers: :cheers: :cheers:





[Modified by Chris O', 3:24 PM 1/24/2002]

 

Chris

Expect you know the 7 leaf goes w/ a 550 ft.

 

Yep. Not too concerned with originality etc, etc.

I tried to get 500-500lb ft springs but the 490 was the best off the shelf I could get. You just mention Corvette and the hassles start. Measure this, compress that. They forget we had Chev stuff on out '70 Holdens.

I figured 290lb rear would still be fine with 490 fronts. Anything is an improvement on the spring I've got. The ends are all bent and it's bouncy as heck.
The spring maker can make it any rating I want so if you guys reckon 290lb in the rear is too much, give me alternatives.

:cheers: