De-arch, shorten or replace spring
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,106
Likes: 0
De-arch, shorten or replace spring
I have a '79 with 255/60/15 tires on it. Fender gap is about 2" and I want it down to .5" I've been reading all the threads and the consensus is to use 8" bolts to lower the car but i'm concerned about the bolts shredding the sidewall of the tire. Also it seems that the 8" bolt won't get me the drop i'm looking for as each extra inch of bolt = 50% fender drop? This would lead me to believe that I need 10" bolts and settle around the 9" mark.
I have a spring shop locally that will shorten and redrill the spring for $98. I'm wondering what the pro's cons are of having my spring shortened 2", dearched or replace with a shorter main leaf.
I thought that if I had it dearched then the spring ends would be inside the rim but apparently there isn't room for that on a 15" wheel. Will spring's go bad over time? would I be wasting $100 on shortening this spring?
I have a spring shop locally that will shorten and redrill the spring for $98. I'm wondering what the pro's cons are of having my spring shortened 2", dearched or replace with a shorter main leaf.
I thought that if I had it dearched then the spring ends would be inside the rim but apparently there isn't room for that on a 15" wheel. Will spring's go bad over time? would I be wasting $100 on shortening this spring?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 20,855
Likes: 959
From: I tend to be leery of any guy who doesn't own a chainsaw or a handgun.
I have a '79 with 255/60/15 tires on it. Fender gap is about 2" and I want it down to .5" I've been reading all the threads and the consensus is to use 8" bolts to lower the car but i'm concerned about the bolts shredding the sidewall of the tire. Also it seems that the 8" bolt won't get me the drop i'm looking for as each extra inch of bolt = 50% fender drop? This would lead me to believe that I need 10" bolts and settle around the 9" mark.
I have a spring shop locally that will shorten and redrill the spring for $98. I'm wondering what the pro's cons are of having my spring shortened 2", dearched or replace with a shorter main leaf.
I thought that if I had it dearched then the spring ends would be inside the rim but apparently there isn't room for that on a 15" wheel. Will spring's go bad over time? would I be wasting $100 on shortening this spring?
I have a spring shop locally that will shorten and redrill the spring for $98. I'm wondering what the pro's cons are of having my spring shortened 2", dearched or replace with a shorter main leaf.
I thought that if I had it dearched then the spring ends would be inside the rim but apparently there isn't room for that on a 15" wheel. Will spring's go bad over time? would I be wasting $100 on shortening this spring?
Just a suggestion.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,106
Likes: 0
That was one of my concerns as well since there are a lot of inconsistencies in ride height for those buying composite springs. The consensus I saw on those were not to buy the TRW spring as it too arched.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 925
Likes: 7
I'd go with a composite spring for the smooth ride and weight reduction and buy C4 (yes..C4) 10" bolts to get the height you want. Once set, cut the extra length off. Of course, you want your half shafts close to level when the car is loaded, so that may ultimately affect the wheel arch gap.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,716
Likes: 121
From: Sulphur LA
St. Jude Donor '05-'06,'11,'13-'14,'16,'18,'19,'24, '25
I've had my spring de-arched to work with the factory bolts. I run 18" wheels so the spring ends are within the wheels. I had the spring worked twice to get the ride height I was looking for.
Neal
Neal
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,106
Likes: 0
Chevyman that is good to know. Thanks for the tip Super6, I was looking at the 10" bolts for c4s at vbandp.com I'm surprised no one with a shortened spring has chimed in. Guldstrand sells a 2.5" shorter main leaf for $164 but then I have to get that packed in with the other leaves which would start pushing me towards the price of a composite. I was hoping theskunkworks or Alan would have chimed in
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,112
Likes: 28
From: Florida
Chevyman that is good to know. Thanks for the tip Super6, I was looking at the 10" bolts for c4s at vbandp.com I'm surprised no one with a shortened spring has chimed in. Guldstrand sells a 2.5" shorter main leaf for $164 but then I have to get that packed in with the other leaves which would start pushing me towards the price of a composite. I was hoping theskunkworks or Alan would have chimed in
I used the guldstrand shorter spring and reused most of my original leafs (leaves?) with it and the original bolts. The only thing you will need is a new center bolt.
I only did this because no spring shops left around here.
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,106
Likes: 0
DucatiDon would you happen to have any pics showing tire gap and bolt/tire clearance?
I called VB&P, they recommended going with the 10" bolts and trying those first before going for a spring replacement. Placed an order for 550lb front coils and 10" rear bolts with poly bushings, should be here in 3 weeks or so (10 day delay on 550's right now as they're not in stock right now).
I called VB&P, they recommended going with the 10" bolts and trying those first before going for a spring replacement. Placed an order for 550lb front coils and 10" rear bolts with poly bushings, should be here in 3 weeks or so (10 day delay on 550's right now as they're not in stock right now).
