Installing a set of SS springs using the required front spring hangers on an E-body. I see there are reinforcing plates available. I don't need them for spacing purpose. However, is it recommended to use them on the backside of the front hanger for added reinforcement or are they not necessary?

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

I made my own? Thinking it adds strength?

The factory put them on the higher powered cars. Seems prudent to reinforce that area since there is so much stress there.

that being said, how does it help? its not load bearing, so unless your concerned with spring hangers pulling out, i don't understand what they do.

sometimes i just like overkill, one less thing to worry about

Silly me, I thought they were spacers to align the rear.

They are reproductions of the original stiffening plates but you can use them as shims to adjust the rear thrust angle if necessary. Works for either application.

I could see them as a benefit to drag cars with sticky tracks and gripping slicks that are trying to pull the hanger out of its mounting pocket. Not unlike a roll bar reinforcing plate that spreads load over a wider area.

I thought the load was more compression, especially for drag situations?

That is where we connect our subframe connectors, with a similar plate. Transfers the load and really adds to the chassis rigidity and control.

I would *think* there is quite some more compression and forward 'push' to this area, in addition to an upward force.
As after 'all' the things have happened like TC@HP2 has mentioned above, finally the rear axle/leafsprings start pushing the entire weight of the car forward.

Yes and then when you hit the brakes hard the weight of the car is being pulled back by the spring hanger which is bolted to a couple thicknesses of sheet metal.

And when you go around a corner the car body is held in place by those same bolts.

But to be accurate, the braking forces will never equal acceleration forces in this location.