71 rear leaf spring clamps
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Instructor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 180
Likes: 1
71 rear leaf spring clamps
So i am looking at buying a 7 leaf F41 spring for my 71ls6 coupe that i race in the pure stock muscle car drags and notice that the spring on my car(standard 9 leaf repop from corvette central in 1999) still has the shipping clamps that cover the bottom 3 leaves. In reading about springs, they all say to remove the shipping clamps. My question is will removing the clamps soften the spring? change the dynamics, or what will i notice by removing them. I have even clamped the bottom 5 springs at the track to try and get a better 60 foot time. The reason for the 7 leaf interest is to see if the car will launch better. Werner meier has a daytona spring he wants to sell me, but i think it will be too much for the street. Please give me your thoughts or ideas on leaf springs and drag racing with polyglass f70-15 goodyears
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,802
Likes: 61
From: Wichita KS
morganjd, I just called the vendor I bought mine from about a year ago and asked. They said they serve no purpose once installed in the car.
During shipping they keep the leaves from turning or fanning out since the spring only has one bolt running through the center.
They also said that conceivably the clamps may create a slightly stiffer ride but he didn't think it would be noticeable.
They said if they bother you aesthetically take a hammer and rap them on the side and they will come off.
If nothing else, I have noticed that in the last year one of them has migrated a bit and even cut into the bottom liner so I'm taking mine off.
cc
During shipping they keep the leaves from turning or fanning out since the spring only has one bolt running through the center.
They also said that conceivably the clamps may create a slightly stiffer ride but he didn't think it would be noticeable.
They said if they bother you aesthetically take a hammer and rap them on the side and they will come off.
If nothing else, I have noticed that in the last year one of them has migrated a bit and even cut into the bottom liner so I'm taking mine off.
cc
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,802
Likes: 61
From: Wichita KS
Ok, that's pretty tough once the spring is already installed. Choices are take the spring loose from the mounting bolts on both ends and slide the clamps off or unbend the tab on top and then unbend the clamp end that has the tab through a slot in it.
Can you say knuckle buster?
cc
Can you say knuckle buster?
cc
