New rear leafs too short?

[rabfan]

I ordered and received new rear leaf springs from General Spring. I installed them today and it seems like they may be too short? They invert the shackles. Picture attached.
Is this just a case of needing to pry them into position as I load the suspension?
Appreciate any input.

 

[rabfan]

I ordered and received new rear leaf springs from General Spring. I installed them today and it seems like they may be too short? They invert the shackles. Picture attached.
Is this just a case of needing to pry them into position as I load the suspension?
Appreciate any input.

View attachment 1716453425

1967 Barracuda fastback

 

[junkyardhero]

what's the measurement from center pin to each eye?

also, flip your shackle back down.

 

[toolmanmike]

It takes a big pry bar but just flip the shackle.

 

[RustyRatRod]

You have to get the weight back off the suspension separately on each side, get a big prybar, flip the shackles down and let the weight back on.

 

[rabfan]

Thank you. I will try that today. I’m doing three days of furious work on this car that’s been off the road since ‘87 in order tog et ready for a rally in Georgia mid October.

 

[Kendog 170]

You have to get the weight back off the suspension separately on each side, get a big prybar, flip the shackles down and let the weight back on.

I had the same issue. Bought them and tried to install 2 years later. I thought about prying them back but thought what happens when I hit a good bump and they flip and smash my trunk floor? Or will they settle down? I'll be watching . Would love to get them to work. Eye to eye they were 1" shorter than my saggy springs which didn't seem wrong as an old spring would be longer, I think. Maybe I'll install and let it sit all winter? 

 

[dano]

Are they stock height or +1" or more?

 

[RustyRatRod]

I had the same issue. Bought them and tried to install 2 years later. I thought about prying them back but thought what happens when I hit a good bump and they flip and smash my trunk floor? Or will they settle down? I'll be watching . Would love to get them to work. Eye to eye they were 1" shorter than my saggy springs which didn't seem wrong as an old spring would be longer, I think. Maybe I'll install and let it sit all winter? 

Once the weight is on them, they will not flip back up.

 

[missing linc]

Had a friend with a 67 Dart GT long ago that had a problem with the shackles flipping up like that, don't remember what he did to make it stop. He'd go over a big bump, the suspension would unload, then the shackles would flip. Thinking maybe the shocks were too weak.

 

[AJ/FormS]

I moved the perch up to the frame and forward until the loaded spring was behind the upper pivot point. No big deal it was .

 

[RustyRatRod]

Geez. This ain't rocket science. This can happen when you either over torque the leaf spring plates or when you torque them with the suspension hanging in the air. As long as you torque the spring plates with the weight on the suspension and only to 45 ft lb, and you're careful when you let the car down, you won't have a problem. There's nothing inherently wrong with the car or the springs. The springs aren't too short. There's not a little green alien back there flippin the shackles up. This is a VERY common issue we've known about with pretty much all leaf spring suspensions. It ain't hard to overcome.

 

[Kendog 170]

Thanks. I will try again later this year.

 

[rabfan]

Crisis averted. Thanks team. Now to find one small bolt pattern 14” rim as a spare in the Pittsburgh area.

 

[rabfan]

Geez. This ain't rocket science. This can happen when you either over torque the leaf spring plates or when you torque them with the suspension hanging in the air. As long as you torque the spring plates with the weight on the suspension and only to 45 ft lb, and you're careful when you let the car down, you won't have a problem. There's nothing inherently wrong with the car or the springs. The springs aren't too short. There's not a little green alien back there flippin the shackles up. This is a VERY common issue we've known about with pretty much all leaf spring suspensions. It ain't hard to overcome.

I figured. This is my first cart spring car so not super familiar with the nuances. Thank you for the guidance