7 or 9 Leaf, Leaf Spring???
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,414
Likes: 1
From: NC
7 or 9 Leaf, Leaf Spring???
I ordered a Leaf spring and coil spring suspension kit from Mid Amarica Motorworks and realized that I received a 7 leaf leaf spring, what I am replacing is a 9 leaf leaf spring.
Can someone explain the difference between the two? Should I try and exchange the 7 for a 9 leaf?
TIA
Bill
Can someone explain the difference between the two? Should I try and exchange the 7 for a 9 leaf?
TIA
Bill
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,763
Likes: 0
From: Fayetteville NC
I'm tempted to say the difference is "two leaves", but I won't. I was told the 7-leaf will give you a softer ride and probably a lower ride height in the rear. If you exchange it for the 9-leaf, you may need to get the longer bolts to get your rear height where it was before. Don't know if the 7-leaf will fit properly if the 9-leaf was there initially . You may need an adapter kit of some kind. Some of the more advanced members of the forum will know.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
Measure your spring width - it's either 2.5" or 2.25" .... make sure what you ordered is going to fit. My 9-leaf spring is 2.5" - in MidAmericas catalog the 7 leaf spring is 2.25"
The 7-leaf spring was considered 'heavy duty' as far as I remember, not sure though...
Somebody may have changed the differential cover and the spring mount ??? Check what you have...
Good luck.
The 7-leaf spring was considered 'heavy duty' as far as I remember, not sure though...
Somebody may have changed the differential cover and the spring mount ??? Check what you have...
Good luck.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,668
Likes: 119
From: St. Charles Mo
CI 5 & 8 Veteran
The 7 leaf spring is a heavy duty option spring. The leafs on my heavy duty spring are thicker ( i.e. heavy duty) Don't count on it sitting lower than your 9 leaf standard original. After market's typically sit higher and ride stiffer.
Bullshark
Bullshark
Last edited by Bullshark; Dec 12, 2004 at 07:38 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,721
Likes: 108
From: Canada
I originally had a 7 leaf and for comfort put on a 9 leaf with new Bilstein shocks. I also replaced the original 550 lb front springs with new 550 springs and Bilstein shocks. I love the ride, nice and flat in the corners and no floating on hard acceleration on the highway.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,000
Likes: 1
From: Minneapolis, Mn USA
7 leaf is the Gymkhana replacement.
You want to match the spring rates for front/rear along with proper stabilizer bars size (and use some good high pressure gas shocks) so your handling is balanced.
If you mix and match, you could end up with a squirrely set-up.
Brent...
You want to match the spring rates for front/rear along with proper stabilizer bars size (and use some good high pressure gas shocks) so your handling is balanced.
If you mix and match, you could end up with a squirrely set-up.
Brent...
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