Help the Dummy - new rear leaf & shackle

[67CudaBob]

View attachment rear shackle dart.jpg

Ok - I just tried mounting my new shackles and leaf springs, and this is what I ended up with. (the view is the passenger side - looking in from just behind the rear tire)

1967 Dart GT 273. I ordered ESPO 5-leaf (factory plus 1 inch). I bought new shackles as well, and the shackles matched the old ones in size.

I know this is not how it is supposed to sit. The first bump I hit, the rear of the leaf is going to dent the bottom of my trunk and eventually go through it!

In the pic above, the car actually sits about factory plus 2" - which also causes me confusion as if the shackles actually came down and sat properly, the car would raise another 2-3 inches and be ridiculously raked.

My only guess is the springs are incorrect and possibly too short??

Open to all thoughts - thank you.

 

[340duster340]

your shackle is pointing in the wrong direction.

it part where it mounts to the rear spring eye should be pointing down and to the rear of the car.

i would unbolt the rear hanger, completely loosen/ remove the U bolts on the axles, and then lower the back of the spring and correct the position of the shackle.

 

[1968FormulaS340]

I honestly don't know how you did that. 0.o

But what you need to do is jack the body up letting the rear suspension fully hang and lower it back down slowly while watching to make sure the shackles are heading the right direction. You may need to give them some help along the way.

Don't worry about ride height at this point because when things are oriented correctly your springs will have a chance to lengthen and take their natural arch.

 

[67CudaBob]

It was odd - as the only way I could get the mounting bracket close enough to the frame mounting holes to get the mounting bolt started was to completely lengthen those shackles out parallel to the ground. That is what has me thinking the springs are possibly too short. Or, somehow I needed to put a higher load on the springs as I mounted them to lengthen them out a bit.

I appreciate the help guys.

 

[67Dart273]

This is caused by too much spring arch which makes the rear springs SHORTER and pulls the shackles in. Sometimes you can pop them in the right direction with a pry bar. If the springs have too much arch, drive it a while "I guess" or at least let the car sit with weight on the car. "I guess" you could try filling the tank full and maybe find an engine block LOL or other weight to toss in the trunk for awhile.

 

[67CudaBob]

This is caused by too much spring arch which makes the rear springs SHORTER and pulls the shackles in. Sometimes you can pop them in the right direction with a pry bar. If the springs have too much arch, drive it a while "I guess" or at least let the car sit with weight on the car. "I guess" you could try filling the tank full and maybe find an engine block LOL or other weight to toss in the trunk for awhile.

I will try to remount, and pry if necessary. But if that does not work,is there any risk of that rear shock to shackle point pushing up or through my trunk floor?

 

[1968FormulaS340]

I would not drive the car like that.

 

[67Dart273]

I would not either. Any chance they are just plain incorrect springs? Are they old springs that have been re-arched or what?

 

[grimreaper]

Don't drive it like that. Sometimes with new springs the arc is stiff and short enough to cause what we see here. Jack it up by the body, unhook the shackle, then put a block of wood between the back of the spring and the body above. Then slowly let the jack down and the weight of the car on the block will push the spring down and back to where you can hook the shackle in the correct position. Just be very careful as you do it because springs releasing energy at unexpected times can do bad things to human bodies.

 

[cjh]

Aren't the springs suppose to be 55" long ????

 

[67Dart273]

Aren't the springs suppose to be 55" long ????

The amount of the arch changes the effective length

 

[toolmanmike]

Not a problem. Mine did that too. I jacked the body up a bit and flipped them over with a long pry bar. Ka-thunk and they were ok. tmm

 

[cjh]

The amount of the arch changes the effective length

Here in Oz, we only had 2 spring lengths....55" and 53".
The 53's were only found in the aussie Chargers, everything else had 55" springs, just the amount of leaves depending on model, ie: Utes, Vans, wagons, sedans, Hardtops and Coupes.

 

[abodyjoe]

Not a problem. Mine did that too. I jacked the body up a bit and flipped them over with a long pry bar. Ka-thunk and they were ok. tmm

I would try this before anything else

 

[mopar jimmie]

Usually the pry bar method does work , you just need to be sure that the lower spring eye is sits further back then the upper , I dealt with your same situation by making shims for the upper shackle mount . I was using a pair old 002/003 s/s springs and had the same issue you are having .

 

[abodyjoe]

 

[Saverio]

Would worn out springs look like the third option, farthest right?

My car seems to sag to me but, here's a shot of my shackle.

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[red cuda]

I bought these, but with a plus 2 inches. I hope its not too jacked up in the back. its low as heck right now.i figure it will raise up 3 inches total from its point now.