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Leaf springs- re-arch or replace? #1241630
05/29/12 10:12 AM
05/29/12 10:12 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 949
Indiana
6
68_661charger Offline OP
super stock
68_661charger  Offline OP
super stock
6

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 949
Indiana
The other post got me thinking. What's better on springs, to re-arch them or replace? Its just a 318 car so whichever is good. Also wheres the best place to get them?

Re: Leaf springs- re-arch or replace? [Re: 68_661charger] #1241631
05/29/12 10:43 AM
05/29/12 10:43 AM
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,368
Iowa
burdar Offline
Owen's Dad
burdar  Offline
Owen's Dad

Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,368
Iowa
I looked into having the original springs re-arched but it wasn't worth it to me. It would have been around $100 to re-arch and they wouldn't guaranty their work. They said it could just sag right back down.

Even if I did go that route, I would have had to put the crusty springs on the car, measure the ride height, take them back off exc... It just wasn't worth it to me.

Re: Leaf springs- re-arch or replace? [Re: 68_661charger] #1241632
05/29/12 11:41 AM
05/29/12 11:41 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 949
Indiana
6
68_661charger Offline OP
super stock
68_661charger  Offline OP
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 949
Indiana
Yeah I hear you. Also might be a good time to upgrade to the ones with an extra leaf.

Re: Leaf springs- re-arch or replace? [Re: 68_661charger] #1241633
05/29/12 01:43 PM
05/29/12 01:43 PM
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 21,345
Marysville, O-H-I-O
70Cuda383 Offline
Too Many Posts
70Cuda383  Offline
Too Many Posts

Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 21,345
Marysville, O-H-I-O
A good shop that does a quality repair will re-arch the main spring, then replace 1 or 2 of the leafs with new and you get a "half new" spring. This type of repair shouldn't sag again quickly.


**Photobucket sucks**
Re: Leaf springs- re-arch or replace? [Re: 70Cuda383] #1241634
05/29/12 02:44 PM
05/29/12 02:44 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,073
Niles , Ohio
T
therocks Offline
oh wait.but hey.lets see.oh yeah.
therocks  Offline
oh wait.but hey.lets see.oh yeah.
T

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,073
Niles , Ohio
That must have been one good spring shop.My kid had the OE springs rearched and a leaf added on his 62 300 at least 15 years ago.they are still better than new ones.Cost about 100 bucks for both.Ill probally have the OE ones for my 65 done when I move them inboard.Most new stuff isnt as good as OE.As long as they arent bent or mains broken they can be done.Rocky


Chrysler Firepower
Re: Leaf springs- re-arch or replace? [Re: 68_661charger] #1241635
05/29/12 08:04 PM
05/29/12 08:04 PM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 531
Charlotte, NC
Kowal Offline
mopar
Kowal  Offline
mopar

Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 531
Charlotte, NC
I just replaced a set of leaf springs on my GTX. Easy job, if you buy new perches too in case you can't get the old ones apart.

Eaton Spring is where I bought them. Very knowledgeable, fast shippers.

I ordered the stock plus 1inch height and the car came out perfect.


'69 Hemi Charger 500, ‘70 U code Challenger R/T
(These and a bunch others at www.dkowal426.com)

P.J. O'Rouke: "The old car ran perfectly, right up until it didn't."
Re: Leaf springs- re-arch or replace? [Re: 68_661charger] #1241636
05/29/12 10:39 PM
05/29/12 10:39 PM
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,458
oklahoma
F
forphorty Offline
pro stock
forphorty  Offline
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,458
oklahoma
If the springs aren't that bad, i just add a leaf. It costs me almost nothing since i have extra springs laying around. I've even added a main leaf with the eyes cut off. Beefed it up quite a bit. Didn't look stock of course.

Re: Leaf springs- re-arch or replace? [Re: forphorty] #1241637
05/29/12 11:57 PM
05/29/12 11:57 PM
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 905
SD
Z
zrxkawboy Offline
super stock
zrxkawboy  Offline
super stock
Z

Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 905
SD
I only had springs re-arched once, but they didn't hold. In less than a year, they were right back where they started. Obviously, some people have better results. Sounds like adding a leaf is good insurance.


It's Swifty! Swifty, you toad sucker!
Re: Leaf springs- re-arch or replace? [Re: zrxkawboy] #1241638
05/30/12 12:35 AM
05/30/12 12:35 AM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,664
IN
A
ahy Offline
master
ahy  Offline
master
A

Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,664
IN
As a rule of thumb, adding a full leaf increases loaded ride height by about an inch. If you want or need (or even don't mind) a higher spring rate, it is an effective and low cost approach. If you really don't want the stiffer spring, new stock style springs are the best bet.

Re: Leaf springs- re-arch or replace? [Re: ahy] #1241639
05/30/12 11:01 AM
05/30/12 11:01 AM
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 560
MI
M
marklock Offline
I tried too hard for a custom title
marklock  Offline
I tried too hard for a custom title
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 560
MI
Replaced the leafs on my Dart a few years ago, bought the extra heavy duty springs from Mancini Racing. No sag what so ever. Spent less then 200 for them, seems they went up a bit.

http://chucker54.stores.yahoo.net/extraheavyduty.html

Re: Leaf springs- re-arch or replace? [Re: marklock] #1241640
05/31/12 05:17 AM
05/31/12 05:17 AM
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 520
New Zealand
nz383man Offline
mopar
nz383man  Offline
mopar

Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 520
New Zealand
After 40 years the springs in my '70 383 Barracuda were a bit saggy so I thought I would do the right thing& & upgrade to the MP heavy duty 440/Hemi spring.

BIG mistake, in less than 2 years the MP "heavy duty" springs sagged even more than the 40 year old factory springs.

My advice, If you can't find a quality spring man to re work your springs DO NOT buy MP springs, you will regret it if you do.

Buy springs made in the US, I'm sure the quality would be better.







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