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my springs are sagging #2454130
02/19/18 09:02 PM
02/19/18 09:02 PM
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,177
California
mickm Offline OP
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mickm  Offline OP
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California
I have 2 year old stock hemi rear springs that I got from Eaton. They left the car about 1" short of where I wanted the car to sit, so on their recommendation I took them to a local truck place and had them re-arched.

In the last 2-4 months, they have sagged close to 1.5". I had the front of the car up on jack stands for the past 2 months dealing with the k frame. I didn't expect to have it up that long, maybe I should have raised the rear as well.

Regardless, I'm stuck with some pretty damn expensive springs that are now next to useless. Eaton has more or less said that a) 1 year warranty, b) re-arching voids the warranty.

Sandy suggested simply adding a leaf or two to each side. Does anyone sell individual leaves? And what about used springs? I suppose adding anything will help, but does it make sense to add some used leaves?

Last edited by mickm; 02/19/18 09:14 PM.
Re: my springs are sagging [Re: mickm] #2454140
02/19/18 09:14 PM
02/19/18 09:14 PM
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Omaha Ne
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TJP Offline
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Omaha Ne

Re: my springs are sagging [Re: mickm] #2454149
02/19/18 09:34 PM
02/19/18 09:34 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 29,648
Hamtramck, PA
Alaskan_TA Offline
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Hamtramck, PA
The stock springs in my 1970 Coronet had sagged.

A pal had given me a near-mint take off set from a 1971 Challenger, so I took both sets apart.

I took the top leaf (under the main leaf) from the Challenger set & added those to the Coronet set, one on each side. They were the same thickness & length.

That got the car back to where it looked 'right' again.

Ever since then, I save old leaf spring sets, just in case.......

Re: my springs are sagging [Re: mickm] #2454157
02/19/18 10:03 PM
02/19/18 10:03 PM
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Posts: 11,895
Benton, IL.
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DaveRS23 Offline
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Benton, IL.
I have dealt with this same situation; wanting to maintain a particular rear height. After trying several things that cost a good bit of money and aggravation, what finally worked for me was to buy some Hellwig leaf helper springs.

I mounted them on the rear segments above the springs. You cannot even tell that they are there. And I can set the rear height right where I want it and can easily change it if/when I want or need.

twocents


Master, again and still
Re: my springs are sagging [Re: DaveRS23] #2454162
02/19/18 10:07 PM
02/19/18 10:07 PM
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Posts: 7,664
IN
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ahy Offline
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IN
I had a full leaf added at a local spring shop - $100 for the pair. Rule of thumb this raises it an inch and also increases spring rate. In my situation I needed the higher rate so I was happy all around.

Re: my springs are sagging [Re: mickm] #2454166
02/19/18 10:13 PM
02/19/18 10:13 PM
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RSNOMO Offline
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Re: my springs are sagging [Re: mickm] #2454243
02/19/18 11:24 PM
02/19/18 11:24 PM
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,040
Lincoln Nebraska
RapidRobert Offline
Circle Track
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Lincoln Nebraska
Quote:
Sandy suggested simply adding a leaf or two to each side. Does anyone sell individual leaves? And what about used springs? I suppose adding anything will help, but does it make sense to add some used leaves?
I added a full used leaf to restore some height. As far as adding a half leaf in front or rear of the pin or a full leaf for a specific app (drags/street) that ain't my area.


live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth
Re: my springs are sagging [Re: mickm] #2454298
02/20/18 12:14 AM
02/20/18 12:14 AM
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 6,545
Downtown Roebuck Ont
Twostick Offline
Still wishing...
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Downtown Roebuck Ont
I have a set of Eaton springs on my New Yorker. Same experience except I didn't have to wait. Humped over backwards right off the jack, just like the 40 year old originals.

Kevin

Re: my springs are sagging [Re: Twostick] #2454333
02/20/18 01:04 AM
02/20/18 01:04 AM
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,177
California
mickm Offline OP
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mickm  Offline OP
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California
Originally Posted By Twostick
I have a set of Eaton springs on my New Yorker. Same experience except I didn't have to wait. Humped over backwards right off the jack, just like the 40 year old originals.

Kevin


the mopar springs I bought from the dealership lasted 4-5 years. I'm thinking of just getting another set and resigning myself to 4-5 years per set...

Re: my springs are sagging [Re: mickm] #2454403
02/20/18 03:38 AM
02/20/18 03:38 AM
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,651
Cut and Shoot, TX
kentj340 Offline
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Cut and Shoot, TX
Adding an extra leaf each side worked for me. The extra is a bit longer than the 2nd leaf.


If you don't see two dolphins, you need a vacation.
Re: my springs are sagging [Re: mickm] #2454440
02/20/18 09:45 AM
02/20/18 09:45 AM
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 6,545
Downtown Roebuck Ont
Twostick Offline
Still wishing...
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Downtown Roebuck Ont
When you pay what Eaton charges, you shouldn't have to do anything but install them. I could have added a leaf to my old ones for a lot less $$$.

Kevin

Re: my springs are sagging [Re: mickm] #2454491
02/20/18 12:36 PM
02/20/18 12:36 PM
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,914
Calgary, Alberta Canada
a12rag Offline
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I bought the Mopar SS Springs for the 70 Sport Satellite when I redid the car. Within 1 year, they sagged to the point they were arched in opposite direction . . . took the original in to local shop and had them re-arched and extra leaf added - perfect height. That was 4-5 years ago now, have not sagged any . . . local shop should know what they are doing and work with you . . .

Re: my springs are sagging [Re: a12rag] #2454588
02/20/18 03:27 PM
02/20/18 03:27 PM
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,177
California
mickm Offline OP
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California
Originally Posted By a12rag
I bought the Mopar SS Springs for the 70 Sport Satellite when I redid the car. Within 1 year, they sagged to the point they were arched in opposite direction . . . took the original in to local shop and had them re-arched and extra leaf added - perfect height. That was 4-5 years ago now, have not sagged any . . . local shop should know what they are doing and work with you . . .


Didn't think of that. I'll call the shop that re arched them and see what they say.

Re: my springs are sagging [Re: mickm] #2454651
02/20/18 05:03 PM
02/20/18 05:03 PM
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,040
Lincoln Nebraska
RapidRobert Offline
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Lincoln Nebraska
if you go that route you can clamp the spring with large C clamps on either side aways away from the center bolt then remove the nut. I like to crack the nut with a nut cracker so as to avoid snapping the bolt if road debris has messed up the threads on the bolt below the nut to where it dont wanna come off easily. this would save you some labor & likely they will just need the main leaf(s) to rearch them but call em & ask.


live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth
Re: my springs are sagging [Re: mickm] #2454834
02/20/18 11:15 PM
02/20/18 11:15 PM
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,177
California
mickm Offline OP
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Interesting. I had a long talk with the guy who arched the springs for me, and trying to be polite, what he said is the steel is crap. If after 2 years they have sagged not only the inch they were arched but beyond that, that is bad steel.

He also said the steel coming from Mexico currently is good stuff. India steel is bad.

I think I can attest somewhat to that, as my mopar springs that I bought years ago lasted a good 5 years or more before they started to sag. These [censored] expensive springs from Eaton didn't last 2.

He said he can put a leaf in each side that will raise it back that inch and a half, the only issue is, are they done sagging? If not, even with a good leaf in there, they will sag more.

I think I'll try and wait a bit, drive it some more, and see what it does. I'm planning on driving it to Spring Fling with some friends, but it will be bad news with 3 of us and gear in there on springs that are now 1 1/2" sagged. So I'll have to do it before April.

Re: my springs are sagging [Re: mickm] #2454837
02/20/18 11:22 PM
02/20/18 11:22 PM
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Posts: 2,094
central texas
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krautrock Offline
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i got some Alcan springs made for my powerwagon and they told me or it says on their website that it's normal for springs to sag a little. steel wears out, guys that abuse their springs hard might only get a few years out of them...

i imagine it applies similarly to high HP cars that are driven hard...

Re: my springs are sagging [Re: mickm] #2454933
02/21/18 03:16 AM
02/21/18 03:16 AM
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Posts: 1,908
Nebraska
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4406bbl Offline
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Nebraska
If you add a leaf make sure it is the second leaf, and make sure it goes all the way to or a little past the front eye bolt, and close to the rear one. The only way to stop this is to add more metal, or a thicker main. This has worked for me, rearching or adding a short leaf never has. Ride quality will suffer.

Re: my springs are sagging [Re: mickm] #2454934
02/21/18 03:21 AM
02/21/18 03:21 AM
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 18,493
Granite Bay CA
Kern Dog Offline
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Granite Bay CA
I once played with springs in a 73 Duster...
This is what happens when the second leaf is too short!

IMG_20151214_0165.jpg
Re: my springs are sagging [Re: mickm] #2454956
02/21/18 04:31 AM
02/21/18 04:31 AM
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,997
Salem
Grizzly Offline
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Salem
Mick, that spring shop fed you a line.

They effed them springs up for you when they re-arched them.

"Spring steel" is beyond my understanding of Metalurgy, but it's a special metal treatment and tampering with it either by cold bending or hot bending ruins them.

Cheapest solution is to get a couple of off-shelf leafs with more arch than what you have now and add them to your spring pack. Hope for the best that your car will sit level on both sides and you get the height you want.


Mo' Farts

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Re: my springs are sagging [Re: Kern Dog] #2455011
02/21/18 11:32 AM
02/21/18 11:32 AM
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Posts: 3,365
St. Charles, MO
wingman Offline
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St. Charles, MO
Originally Posted By Frankenduster
I once played with springs in a 73 Duster...
This is what happens when the second leaf is too short!


Aw, you're fine! You got 2 more holes left in those shackles to use!


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1970 Plymouth Road Runner 440 FC7 (sold)
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