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Hi APG,
Here's the info on the spring specs from member John Hinkley.
"Both the Chevrolet Engineering Specifications package and the AMA Submission detail show the 9-leaf spring with a rate of 140#/inch at design load (1360#). The 7-leaf F41 spring is 305#/inch at design load."
Regards,
Alan
These original leaf end details may help you decide if you currently have a GM spring or aftermarket spring. Note amount of 'curl' and ground/cut(?) taper.
Hi,
The 71 AIM Trim Height Charts/Diagram indicates a different set of ride height dimensions for a F41 equipped car compared to a std suspension car…. NOT MUCH (1/2")… but slightly lower.
Regards,
Alan
Hi agp,
Did we ever determine for sure how many leafs the spring has?
When the car's weight is OFF the suspension are the top 3 leafs straight?
Regards,
Alan
Hi agp,
Did we ever determine for sure how many leafs the spring has?
When the car's weight is OFF the suspension are the top 3 leafs straight?
Regards,
Alan
Definitely 7 leaves.
I will need to raise it again. I'll do it tomorrow.
All the best
you can parts from any of the vendors, I prefer Willcox, call and talk to them, sometimes they run a weekend sale on parts, they also have great videos on replacing and repairing parts on cars. call and talk to them or email them.
Ok, today I did just that. The car does not bounce anymore (I know I never mentioned it) but the ride height remains the same.
Remember after jacking etc. move the car forwards and backwards to get the ride height to settle. The way the rear independent suspension is designed when coming off jacks or a lift the rear wheels are toed in at the bottom causing the ride height to be too high until you move the car. If you cut the straps then maybe you need to move the car and settle the ride position without the straps.
My '71 ride height from the floor to the top of my wheel well is 27 inches front and rear. I do have big block springs installed in the front and a composite spring in the back so I am not stock.
AGP22,
I might be seeing things here but if you check the first or top pic in your post #12, do you have the top bolt backing out in your half shaft flange to spindle? It sure looks like it in the pic....
My 69 big block still has the stock 9 leaf with all new rubbers and ride height in the rear (floor to fender) is 28" and 27.5" in the front.
Last edited by CanadaGrant; 12-14-2016 at 12:35 AM.
Remember after jacking etc. move the car forwards and backwards to get the ride height to settle. The way the rear independent suspension is designed when coming off jacks or a lift the rear wheels are toed in at the bottom causing the ride height to be too high until you move the car. If you cut the straps then maybe you need to move the car and settle the ride position without the straps.
My '71 ride height from the floor to the top of my wheel well is 27 inches front and rear. I do have big block springs installed in the front and a composite spring in the back so I am not stock.
tried to pm you..
How dd you get your car to sit so low? I had to cut a coil and heat and bend the cut coil to get my car down to 27" in front, rear I have 9in bolts planned.
How dd you get your car to sit so low? I had to cut a coil and heat and bend the cut coil to get my car down to 27" in front, rear I have 9in bolts planned.
Sorry, My box is full.
I didn't do much other than install the big block front springs (which are shorter than the SB springs by a little. It says that these springs will not effect the ride height but I can't see how it can't as the BB spring (higher spring rate, shorter overall spring) was about an inch shorter than the stock SB spring I removed. I'm looking for pictures but it's been about 10 years since I did this work. I installed the 360Lb composite spring with the stock bolts and Van Steel offset trailing arms (that shouldn't contribute to lowering that I can see).. I really wasn't looking to lower the car just do some upgrades. I didn't measure it before I did my suspension work so I'm not sure if it lowered or not. It may be my worn out body mounts too.
I didn't do much other than install the big block front springs (which are shorter than the SB springs by a little. It says that these springs will not effect the ride height but I can't see how it can't as the BB spring (higher spring rate, shorter overall spring) was about an inch shorter than the stock SB spring I removed. I'm looking for pictures but it's been about 10 years since I did this work. I installed the 360Lb composite spring with the stock bolts and Van Steel offset trailing arms (that shouldn't contribute to lowering that I can see).. I really wasn't looking to lower the car just do some upgrades. I didn't measure it before I did my suspension work so I'm not sure if it lowered or not. It may be my worn out body mounts too.
Mine already has the composite spring and i am about to use 9" bolts to get the rear low enough to match the front.
12-12-2016, 08:44 AM
