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Need more rear spring #2621731
02/15/19 04:37 PM
02/15/19 04:37 PM
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,179
California
mickm Offline OP
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mickm  Offline OP
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California
I put the mopar street Hemi replacement springs on my car about 10 years ago when I did it up. The rear sat a good inch higher than stock, which was perfect for my setup; fit the tires nicely, and gave the car the rake I wanted.

After 5 years or so they did sag, and with a lot of complaints about those springs, I did some research here on the site, and chose one company to buy new springs from, who shall remain nameless, (rhymes with Eaton).

I got the stock height, knowing that it may or may not give me what I want. I talked with them about it and they simply said if that doesn't do it you will need to have there re-arched.

Once I put them on, it sat lower than what I wanted, to I had them re-arched at a very reputable, long standing truck center.

That was a little over 2 years ago, and they have sagged down that inch. Unfortunately, that doesn't work for my tire clearance, so I need that extra inch.

I really didn't expect these springs to sag after 2 years, manufacturer said "sorry".

The truck guy said re-arching them is not the best idea, probably won't stick, add a leaf.

So, where do I get single leafs from? I've never done it, but it doesn't sound like it's a big deal to disassemble the springs and add one more leaf.

Also, if I only want an extra inch, how do I know what size leaf to add?

Re: Need more rear spring [Re: mickm] #2621751
02/15/19 05:14 PM
02/15/19 05:14 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,094
central texas
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krautrock Offline
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central texas
why not have that spring shop that re-arched them add a leaf to the pack?

Re: Need more rear spring [Re: mickm] #2621779
02/15/19 06:13 PM
02/15/19 06:13 PM
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,365
Iowa
burdar Offline
Owen's Dad
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Iowa
When dad and I were getting his 73 Challenger back on the road in the 90's, we had a shop add an extra leaf. They added a "used" main leaf that had the eyelets cut off. The extra leaf was installed directly under the original main leaf and extended from eyelet to eyelet.

Quote:
Also, if I only want an extra inch, how do I know what size leaf to add?


Probably trial and error.

Re: Need more rear spring [Re: krautrock] #2621786
02/15/19 06:30 PM
02/15/19 06:30 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,174
Park Forest, IL
slantzilla Offline
Too Many Posts
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Park Forest, IL
Originally Posted By krautrock
why not have that spring shop that re-arched them add a leaf to the pack?


This /\
I had a set done for my Duster and they added a leaf to each side.


"Everybody funny, now you funny too."
Re: Need more rear spring [Re: mickm] #2621800
02/15/19 07:18 PM
02/15/19 07:18 PM
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,816
Connecticut
FurryStump Offline
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Connecticut
So, you may find it very difficult to get an accurate 1” by adding leaves. On a bodies you can flip the front spring mount which would give you about an inch, not sure on b body. I have seen people put an extra long spring on and cut it down a little at a time in the back section to adjust the rear spring rate. Cut it with cut off wheel. Also you could buy an adjustable front spring mount and set it for the right hieght with your settled springs

Last edited by FurryStump; 02/15/19 07:20 PM.

best of 11.39 at 117 mph 1.60 60’. 68 340 S Barracuda Fastback F.A.S.T [IMG]http://i67.tinypic.com/2mnnnnt.jpg[/IMG]
Re: Need more rear spring [Re: mickm] #2621804
02/15/19 07:39 PM
02/15/19 07:39 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 29,651
Hamtramck, PA
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Alaskan_TA Offline
Fluffy Balladeer
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Hamtramck, PA
One of my 1970 B-bodies had sagged, a pal with a 1971 Challenger had given me her old springs.

I disassembled my spring packs & then hers & I added the longest leaf under the top one from each side of the the donor set to my set.

It went from sagging to a bit taller than stock within a few minutes, maybe a bit more than an inch from how it was.

Re: Need more rear spring [Re: mickm] #2621844
02/15/19 09:09 PM
02/15/19 09:09 PM
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,982
Scranton, PA
Montclaire Offline
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Scranton, PA
Next time go with board sponsor ESPO. twocents

Last edited by Montclaire; 02/15/19 09:09 PM.
Re: Need more rear spring [Re: FurryStump] #2621882
02/15/19 10:28 PM
02/15/19 10:28 PM
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,457
oklahoma
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forphorty Offline
pro stock
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,457
oklahoma
Originally Posted By FurryStump
So, you may find it very difficult to get an accurate 1” by adding leaves. On a bodies you can flip the front spring mount which would give you about an inch, not sure on b body. I have seen people put an extra long spring on and cut it down a little at a time in the back section to adjust the rear spring rate. Cut it with cut off wheel. Also you could buy an adjustable front spring mount and set it for the right hieght with your settled springs
Flipping the front hangar LOWERS the car.

Re: Need more rear spring [Re: burdar] #2621883
02/15/19 10:30 PM
02/15/19 10:30 PM
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,457
oklahoma
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forphorty Offline
pro stock
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oklahoma
Originally Posted By burdar
When dad and I were getting his 73 Challenger back on the road in the 90's, we had a shop add an extra leaf. They added a "used" main leaf that had the eyelets cut off. The extra leaf was installed directly under the original main leaf and extended from eyelet to eyelet.

Quote:
Also, if I only want an extra inch, how do I know what size leaf to add?


Probably trial and error.
I have also done the "main leaf with the eyes cut off" thing. Works great.

Re: Need more rear spring [Re: mickm] #2621884
02/15/19 10:30 PM
02/15/19 10:30 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 12,046
Benton, IL.
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DaveRS23 Offline
Special needs idiot
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Benton, IL.
Yep. Been there, done that. After fighting this issue for years on different cars, I finally bought some Hellwig helper leaf springs. I mounted them on top of the rear segment instead of under as they were supposed to be mounted.

That way they are completely out of sight. And I can adjust them to get the height that I want. If anything ever sags, in just a few minutes, I have the car right back where I want it.

No guess work, saves a lot of time, money, and aggravation. And nobody knows they are there.

twocents


Master, again and still
Re: Need more rear spring [Re: mickm] #2621910
02/15/19 11:22 PM
02/15/19 11:22 PM
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 22,696
Bitopia
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jcc Offline
If you can't dazzle em with diamonds..
jcc  Offline
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Bitopia
Nothing to add, but you are the world travel writer, correct?

Anything forthcoming? work


Reality check, that half the population is smarter then 50% of the people and it's a constantly contested fact.
Re: Need more rear spring [Re: mickm] #2621911
02/15/19 11:22 PM
02/15/19 11:22 PM
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,855
Pattison Texas
CSK Offline
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Pattison Texas
I know I am gonna catch Heck for suggesting this BUT, I would put Monroe air shocks on it, 30,40 psi will raise it about an inch & that little bit of pressure will NOT hurt the ride or the upper shock x member.

Last edited by csk; 02/15/19 11:23 PM.

1968 Charger COLD A/C Hilborn EFI
512ci 9.7 compression, Stealth heads, 4.10 gear A518 ODtrans 4100lb,10.93 full street car trim
2020 T/A 392 Stock 11.79 @ 114.5

Re: Need more rear spring [Re: krautrock] #2622015
02/16/19 04:23 AM
02/16/19 04:23 AM
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,179
California
mickm Offline OP
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mickm  Offline OP
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California
Originally Posted By krautrock
why not have that spring shop that re-arched them add a leaf to the pack?


He was pretty dubious about it, basically said bent metal is bent metal. If they sagged once when arched, he would expect it to do it again.

I still may gamble and give it a shot, but I'm tempted to take his word for it.

Re: Need more rear spring [Re: jcc] #2622016
02/16/19 04:25 AM
02/16/19 04:25 AM
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,179
California
mickm Offline OP
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California
Originally Posted By jcc
Nothing to add, but you are the world travel writer, correct?

Anything forthcoming? work


Nothing new, but this is what I'm up to...

Re: Need more rear spring [Re: mickm] #2622122
02/16/19 02:06 PM
02/16/19 02:06 PM
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,277
West Coast, USA
jbc426 Offline
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West Coast, USA
Mick,
We did the add a leaf to the Outlaw DennisH's car, and it worked great and has been consistent ride-heigth wise.

It was from summit and originally intended for a 4wd truck. As I recall, it was about 18" long.

Either that, or I have several sets of passenger side SS springs you can try, which is what I run on both my cars. They both weigh 3700 lbs, but I found that the 3200 lbs passenger side springs work best for my needs. I did have to add a modified set of slapper bars to both cars, as the power was wrapping the front segments. They now ride and hook better than anything else I've tried.

slapper bar 5.jpeg

1970 Plymouth 'Cuda #'s 440-6(block in storage)currently 493" 6 pack, Shaker, 5 speed Passon, 4.10's
1968 Plymouth Barracuda Convertible 408 Magnum EFI with 4 speed automatic overdrive, 3800 stall lock-up converter and 4.30's (closest thing to an automatic 5 speed going)
Re: Need more rear spring [Re: mickm] #2622237
02/16/19 06:23 PM
02/16/19 06:23 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,094
central texas
K
krautrock Offline
top fuel
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Posts: 2,094
central texas
i have the 3400lb SS springs on my 67 coronet, they are quite stiff, the arch was similar to the factory springs but the ride is higher so the rate must be higher.
they are cheap, you could always give them a shot...

Re: Need more rear spring [Re: CSK] #2622335
02/16/19 10:26 PM
02/16/19 10:26 PM
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 727
Michigan
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BlueRacer69 Offline
super stock
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Michigan
Originally Posted By csk
I know I am gonna catch Heck for suggesting this BUT, I would put Monroe air shocks on it, 30,40 psi will raise it about an inch & that little bit of pressure will NOT hurt the ride or the upper shock x member.
Agree with what csk said. For around $100 bucks Monroe Air Shocks will fix your problem. I ran them for a number of years on the back of my 69 Dart without any issues as did most guys back in those days. Raised my rear end up and gave my car a nice rake in the rear. Trick is not to blow them up to 100 lbs and use them like that all the time. I use to fill mine to about 60 or 70 lbs. Or order a new set of spring from ESPO Springs and Things with a +2 inch lift.

Re: Need more rear spring [Re: DaveRS23] #2622689
02/17/19 08:55 PM
02/17/19 08:55 PM
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 53
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Torq37 Offline
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Originally Posted By DaveRS23
Yep. Been there, done that. After fighting this issue for years on different cars, I finally bought some Hellwig helper leaf springs. I mounted them on top of the rear segment instead of under as they were supposed to be mounted.

That way they are completely out of sight. And I can adjust them to get the height that I want. If anything ever sags, in just a few minutes, I have the car right back where I want it.

No guess work, saves a lot of time, money, and aggravation. And nobody knows they are there.


Do you remember which Hellwig's you used? EZ-550 maybe? How is it that they are adjustable, from the literature it looks like they just clamp on top the spring.

Re: Need more rear spring [Re: Torq37] #2622738
02/17/19 11:28 PM
02/17/19 11:28 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 12,046
Benton, IL.
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DaveRS23 Offline
Special needs idiot
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Benton, IL.
I'll have to look for the Hellwig number, it's been a few years, but I have it.

Yes, they are supposed to be mounted underneath the spring. But with only a little mod or two, they will go over the rear segment. And they are strong enough that the rear clamp does not need to pull the helper leaf down against the leaf spring.

It will be an inch or so above the leaf allowing height adjustment.

I have successfully used this on several cars after trying re-arching and buying new springs. The helper leafs are the only thing I have tried that allows me to have complete control over the height and right to left level and weight distribution.

The Cuda can pull a 1.5 60ft, so I haven't found a down side to the helper springs yet.

I will follow up with the Hellwig number and try to post a shot of them on the Cuda. Probably tomorrow.


Master, again and still
Re: Need more rear spring [Re: mickm] #2622943
02/18/19 03:39 PM
02/18/19 03:39 PM
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 969
manitoba canada
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BleedDodge Offline
super stock
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manitoba canada
On my 70 super bee I took it to a reputable spring shop and they removed my springs, added a leaf to each side and rearched everything. I got the ride height in the back that I had wanted, they told me over time they may sag an inch but I don’t think they’ve moved at all to my eyes, and I had this done over 5 years ago. I’m satisfied with it.

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