Opinions on rear spring idea

-
dodgefreak73

dodgefreak73

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 1, 2009
Messages
453
Reaction score
28
Location
Belleville, ON, Canada
:read2:My 73 4dr has the typical A-body drop-*** syndrome I'm thinking about taking the springs to a local spring shop to have them re-arched and I was going to put one new leaf in each one to help. I'm just wondering if anybody has tried this, I'm thinking that the new extra leaf in each side will help to maintain the arch. I'd like to buy all new springs but unfortunately I'm on a pretty tight budget but still need to get the back end up a little. Any suggestions or ideas would be appreciated. Thanks
 
This Is What I Did To Mine. Take Them To Benson Out At 10 Acre Truck Stop. I Think I Paid $100.00 For The Pair. I Live In Trenton, Just PM Me And We Can Set Up A Phone Call.
 
moparwedden said:
This Is What I Did To Mine. Take Them To Benson Out At 10 Acre Truck Stop. I Think I Paid $100.00 For The Pair. I Live In Trenton, Just PM Me And We Can Set Up A Phone Call.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the advice I know a couple of the "old timers" at Cannifton Garage I've dealt with them before, so I think I'll see what they'll charge first. I did not know that Bensons did springs out there but if Cannifton is too much I'll check with Bensons. I've seen your Duster at the cruise nights and really like the way it looks, very nice car and looks like it would be alot of fun to drive. Thanks again
 
I would check around for sure. Cannifton garage told me like 250 to rearch my 69 springs havent done that yet.Always get more than one advice.Also ask if the spring rate will be the same you dont want one side lower than the outher.
 
go for it...but it will lift the car about an inch with a leaf added...not to sure if your in for some performance stuff too, but i had the spring shop add a leaf to each of mine as well as put 5 clamps on the front segment and one on the rear segment...i doubt they'll charge you extra for that too
 
I'm just looking to get the back of the car of the ground it's just a 4 door so I'm not realy looking for the performance just ground & exhaust clearance. The car has dual exhaust but whoever bent the right tailpipe did a poor job and with the rear sagging the pipe is rubbing on the shock. I've adjusted the pipe as much as possible not it still hits but lookimg at where it hits if the back of the car was up higher it would be well away from the shock. The pipes came on the car when I got it & are in too good of shape to replace so I'm looking at the springs for the clearance that I need. I've already had to replace the one shock when I bought the car 6 months ago when I bought it because the pipe had rubbed through it and it's already rubbing into the new one. Here's a pic of the car just want it level or slightly higher on the rear.

HPIM5164.jpg
 
I purchased new XHD springs from the local dealer for $300 for the pair.Just a thought if your gonna spend $100-$150 for a quick fix.
 
pettybludart said:
I purchased new XHD springs from the local dealer for $300 for the pair.Just a thought if your gonna spend $100-$150 for a quick fix.
Click to expand...
Who's the dealer you got them from? I might go that way it's a little over my budget right now but might be better in the long run "pay me now or pay later" kinda thing.
Thanks
ps where in Ontario are you?
 
dodgefreak73 said:
Who's the dealer you got them from? I might go that way it's a little over my budget right now but might be better in the long run "pay me now or pay later" kinda thing.
Thanks
ps where in Ontario are you?
Click to expand...
The dealers name is Lockwood Chrysler in Oakville,Ontario.They ordered from the Mopar Performance cataloge,the one came in 3 days,the other was a month.This was right when Fiat boughtout Chrysler,so they were leary about ordering parts.I hope this is all behind them now and you can get an order quickly!

Part #p4510269
#p4510268
I did get these at jobber cost of $149.95 each.Good Luck!
 
You might also check with Espo Springs & Things. Last I knew they weren't listing as many leaf spring applications as they used to but when I talked with them on the phone they said they could still get them. They actually told me that the business was growing too much & they wanted to slow things down a bit. Nice people to deal with & their price was good on the high lift springs I got for my DD. Don't know about shipping cost into Canada though.
 
i dont know if i would put XHD's in a 4 door car...its definatly gonna give it some rake which imo will look stupid on a 4 door...for some reason some people think factory springs are inferior and adding a leaf is a "quick fix" LOL...imo, unless the springs you have are rotting or cracked or you need to step up to a performance spring like SS springs, adding a leaf at the spring shop is the BEST fix...I doubt your gonna be able to find new springs for less than 150 each
 
mshred said:
i dont know if i would put XHD's in a 4 door car...its definatly gonna give it some rake which imo will look stupid on a 4 door...for some reason some people think factory springs are inferior and adding a leaf is a "quick fix" LOL...imo, unless the springs you have are rotting or cracked or you need to step up to a performance spring like SS springs, adding a leaf at the spring shop is the BEST fix...I doubt your gonna be able to find new springs for less than 150 each
Click to expand...
XHD are a step below the SS springs,if you didn,t know there stock in A-body.
 
FWIW, J.C. Whitney has new A body 4 leaf springs for $64.99 each plus shipping. I am going to buy a pair and take them to a local spring shop to have a leaf added and the front segment clamped. You can try having your springs rearched, but I recommend replacement. In 1973 MaMopar changed the alloy that was used in the rear springs and they were not worth crap. Had a '73 Dart Sport that had 5 sets of new springs put on it before the warranty ran out. By the way, that is a really sweet '73 sedan you have there. Don't think bad about it because it has 2 more doors. Just makes it easier to get in the back seat. :toothy10:
 
JC Witless get their springs and accessories from John R Spring Service on DeQuindre Rd. near Troy, MI. That's a very old, long-established spring shop, and there's nothing wrong with the product, but you may want to check with John R Spring to see what the price, shipping, and customer-service comparison might be.
 
Thanks everybody for the feedback. I'm just trying to get the car sitting level nothing too crazy. I do need to watch the budget as I've also gotta do the diff bearings as well as the springs. I am able to do all the work myself so it's just parts $$ for me but work for just above minimum wage and trying to maintian 3 vehicles I can go too crazy, just a little at a time.
 
I've noticed a lot of people on this forum talking about using s/s springs. They are for drag racing only. There is a big difference in the left/right bias of them. The overall thickness of the leaf stack is different from left to right also one side has the bottom leaf facing forward to preload the front while the other side is reversed. They do a great job on straight line acceleration, but have a definite difference in roll rate between left and right turns.
 
1968FormulaS340 said:
Re-arch… No extra leafs…. Lowest cost and it will be good for another 20 years with a nice, smooth, stock ride.
Click to expand...
I was only thinking of the extra leaf to prevent the springs from sagging again. I wasn't sure if simply re-arching would last very long, don't want to take them out again a couple months after the re-arch because the dropped again
 
Hey - I've got a set of HD springs that don;t have more than 500 miles on them. I have them in the "for sale" section for $125. They have alluminum bushings that you'd have to swap out, but with shipping they may still be in your budget.

PM me if interested.

Dan
 
danmc77 said:
Hey - I've got a set of HD springs that don;t have more than 500 miles on them. I have them in the "for sale" section for $125. They have alluminum bushings that you'd have to swap out, but with shipping they may still be in your budget.

PM me if interested.

Dan
Click to expand...
Shipping would probably kill me on those depending on how they would be shipped sounds like a good deal for the springs though
 
pettybludart said:
XHD are a step below the SS springs,if you didn,t know there stock in A-body.
Click to expand...

yes and no...stock in an a-body? umm, maybe in 340 cars, but not in a slant car...and it being a stock car, why would you recommend him XHD's? i dont think he wants a cranked up rearend, just one that sits level
 
mshred said:
yes and no...stock in an a-body? umm, maybe in 340 cars, but not in a slant car...and it being a stock car, why would you recommend him XHD's? i dont think he wants a cranked up rearend, just one that sits level
Click to expand...
This is a V-8 car with a 318ci ,auto, with factory A/C. I'm not looking for S/S or any other race springs I just want to level the car that is why I'm asking if anybody has done the re-arch idea & will it last. I don't know if an extra leaf will help it to last longer and how much stiffer of a ride ( I don't want it to ride too rough)
 
With the V8 and 2 extra doors(weight)I think you,d be fine with the XHD springs.It won,t be hiked up sky-high,I know your spring problems would be gone for the life of your car.
 
I swapped in a pair of jy hvy duty shocks with the coil springs on them.I guess thier called overload shocks or something. They brought the rear of my Dart up about an inch or so and also helped the handling. If your really on a budget this is the way I would go.
 
dodgefreak, to answer your original question. About 21 years ago I had a pair of 66 Valiant springs re-arched and one leaf per side added, at a McCoy truck spring company in Edmonton. I've driven the snot out of that car with a 318 and 360, lots of heavy loads, pulled trailers, etc., and they are still within an inch of where they were when I installed them after they were re done. Just cut the old U-bolts off, pull the springs and have them re-arched, and put them back in with new U-bolts and lock nuts.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
-

Back
Top