rear leafs 68 barracuda

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whodacudaman

whodacudaman

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does anyone on this beautiful planet know why my rear wheels are closer to the front of the wheelwell then the rar (not centered) i bought new heavy duty springs from mancini and two problems---1st....wheels nottt centered in the wheel well and second the rear seems to high and the kyb shocks i bought seem to be at the upper most travel and if i hit a bump are the shocks gonna break/pop out ??? lol---anyone ever seen these issues?? cant seem to find anyone with the answer...not even mancini!! are all a body leafs the same or are there specific leafs for the barracuda only??? thanks for anyones help in this here matta...merry christmas.
 
There are two variables. One, depending on the arc, the length can vary slightly. Second are the from hanger brackets. Send me some good pictures of your issues. I'm sure I can help.
 
It's normal. My 68 and all 67-69 Cuda's I've seen are that way. When the cars were designed they were designed around using short 14" tires that were so small you could barely tell they were not centered. Add bigger tires to the mix that barely fit the fenderwell and it is then very obvious. I made some plates to bolt in between the front spring hanger and frame to move mine back some. When I get the money for a new longer driveshaft I'll be installing them.
 
I know that the offset spring hangers move the axle forward around 1/4'' compared to the factory hanger. My next measurement would be the front half of the spring to the center bolt. The new springs may have a shorter front half compared to the origionals. Id say your shocks are to short and should be replaced with a longer set. Will they "pop out", probably not, but its not a good combo. Mancini not knowing the answer, or better yet, giving a s@#t doesnt surprise me.
 
Vitamin c said:
I know that the offset spring hangers move the axle forward around 1/4'' compared to the factory hanger. My next measurement would be the front half of the spring to the center bolt. The new springs may have a shorter front half compared to the origionals. Id say your shocks are to short and should be replaced with a longer set. Will they "pop out", probably not, but its not a good combo. Mancini not knowing the answer, or better yet, giving a s@#t doesnt surprise me.
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The only way the offset spring hangers move the axle is if their installed wrong. I helped a buddy weld in a set on his car and we used the front leaf spring eye hole of the original spring hangers as a guide for installing the frame boxes and the axle sets just exactly where it did before.

The HD springs don't raise the car enough to need longer shocks like SS springs do.
 
fishy68 said:
The only way the offset spring hangers move the axle is if their installed wrong. I helped a buddy weld in a set on his car and we used the front leaf spring eye hole of the original spring hangers as a guide for installing the frame boxes and the axle sets just exactly where it did before.

The HD springs don't raise the car enough to need longer shocks like SS springs do.
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moving the springs back, (like many you read about on here), may give you clearance, but takes weight off you rear end, not good for weight distribution or weight transfer-(traction). I would never move the springs or rear back on on a hottrod, if anything they need to go forward,of course tire clearance is the problem.
I will rework my fender wells to look stock rather than move things the wrong way/ just my opinion/ but true! -----------bob
 
A pic of the rear shackles would help answer some questions.

Here is a pic of my 68 with XHD springs (ordered from the local Dodge dealer) and a stock E70-14 tire. The front spring hanger is flipped.

IMG_0078.jpg
 
fishy68 said:
The only way the offset spring hangers move the axle is if their installed wrong. I helped a buddy weld in a set on his car and we used the front leaf spring eye hole of the original spring hangers as a guide for installing the frame boxes and the axle sets just exactly where it did before.

The HD springs don't raise the car enough to need longer shocks like SS springs do.[/QUOT



Im not talking about the inboard spring kit, im talking about the offset hanger that "bolts" into the stock location. The inboard kit that your referring to could actually be put "welded" where ever you wanted the front spring eye. i dont know if i would call that "installed incorrectly" I would also say that it depends on what shock is currently on your car that determins if its to short with a particular spring.
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famous bob said:
moving the springs back, (like many you read about on here), may give you clearance, but takes weight off you rear end, not good for weight distribution or weight transfer-(traction). I would never move the springs or rear back on on a hottrod, if anything they need to go forward,of course tire clearance is the problem.
I will rework my fender wells to look stock rather than move things the wrong way/ just my opinion/ but true! -----------bob
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Your right Bob. Reshaping the fender is better but I am not a painter and don't have the money to have mine painted so plates will have to do. In my case I'm only installing 3/16" thick plates to move the rearend back a small amount. I doubt that little bit will make much of a diff. but I am going to do a before and after test to see how it affects traction.

Vitamin c said:
Im not talking about the inboard spring kit, im talking about the offset hanger that "bolts" into the stock location. The inboard kit that your referring to could actually be put "welded" where ever you wanted the front spring eye. i dont know if i would call that "installed incorrectly" I would also say that it depends on what shock is currently on your car that determins if its to short with a particular spring.
Click to expand...

Sorry, I read it wrong.:banghead: Your right the weld in kit can be put where you want it but I figure installing it where it puts the rearend where it originally was is the "technically correct" (for a lack of a better term) way to do it.
 
certain mopar performance springs call for a special relocating/centering front spring hanger. it is bolt in and re-centers the axle/tire. with a new or re-arched spring, it can move the center line too. when i first got new springs back in '84 i made lowering blocks. car was way too high in the back for me. took 10 years to "settle in".
 
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