Need more rear spring
#2621731
02/15/19 04:37 PM
02/15/19 04:37 PM
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,179 California
mickm
OP
master
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OP
master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,179
California
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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?
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Re: Need more rear spring
[Re: mickm]
#2621779
02/15/19 06:13 PM
02/15/19 06:13 PM
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,371 Iowa
burdar
Owen's Dad
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Owen's Dad
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,371
Iowa
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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. Also, if I only want an extra inch, how do I know what size leaf to add? Probably trial and error.
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Re: Need more rear spring
[Re: krautrock]
#2621786
02/15/19 06:30 PM
02/15/19 06:30 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,205 Park Forest, IL
slantzilla
Too Many Posts
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Too Many Posts
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,205
Park Forest, IL
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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."
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Re: Need more rear spring
[Re: mickm]
#2621800
02/15/19 07:18 PM
02/15/19 07:18 PM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,837 Connecticut
FurryStump
master
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master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,837
Connecticut
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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.
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Re: Need more rear spring
[Re: FurryStump]
#2621882
02/15/19 10:28 PM
02/15/19 10:28 PM
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,459 oklahoma
forphorty
pro stock
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pro stock
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,459
oklahoma
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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.
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Re: Need more rear spring
[Re: burdar]
#2621883
02/15/19 10:30 PM
02/15/19 10:30 PM
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,459 oklahoma
forphorty
pro stock
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pro stock
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,459
oklahoma
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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. 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.
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Re: Need more rear spring
[Re: mickm]
#2621884
02/15/19 10:30 PM
02/15/19 10:30 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 12,244 Benton, IL.
DaveRS23
Special needs idiot
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Special needs idiot
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 12,244
Benton, IL.
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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.
Master, again and still
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Re: Need more rear spring
[Re: mickm]
#2621910
02/15/19 11:22 PM
02/15/19 11:22 PM
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 22,717 Bitopia
jcc
If you can't dazzle em with diamonds..
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If you can't dazzle em with diamonds..
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 22,717
Bitopia
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Nothing to add, but you are the world travel writer, correct? Anything forthcoming?
Reality check, that half the population is smarter then 50% of the people and it's a constantly contested fact.
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Re: Need more rear spring
[Re: mickm]
#2621911
02/15/19 11:22 PM
02/15/19 11:22 PM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,871 Pattison Texas
CSK
master
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master
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,871
Pattison Texas
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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
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Re: Need more rear spring
[Re: krautrock]
#2622015
02/16/19 04:23 AM
02/16/19 04:23 AM
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,179 California
mickm
OP
master
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OP
master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,179
California
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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.
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Re: Need more rear spring
[Re: mickm]
#2622122
02/16/19 02:06 PM
02/16/19 02:06 PM
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,287 West Coast, USA
jbc426
master
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master
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,287
West Coast, USA
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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.
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)
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Re: Need more rear spring
[Re: CSK]
#2622335
02/16/19 10:26 PM
02/16/19 10:26 PM
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Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 737 Michigan
BlueRacer69
super stock
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super stock
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 737
Michigan
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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.
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Re: Need more rear spring
[Re: DaveRS23]
#2622689
02/17/19 08:55 PM
02/17/19 08:55 PM
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 59
Torq37
member
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member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 59
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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.
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Re: Need more rear spring
[Re: Torq37]
#2622738
02/17/19 11:28 PM
02/17/19 11:28 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 12,244 Benton, IL.
DaveRS23
Special needs idiot
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Special needs idiot
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 12,244
Benton, IL.
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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
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