Ok, how about a rebuild kit for 66 leaf springs?

[POPS6T6]

For some reason I can't just find the friction pads, or clamps, but I did do some more searching on here and I did find this kit:
http://chucker54.stores.yahoo.net/lespreki.html

Now my question is, will that kit work for a 1966 Barracuda? It says it is for 1968-74 All Small & Big Block?? My main concern is that I don't know if the springs on the car are the actual stock springs as someone had replaced the rear with an 8 3/4 rear end, so not sure if they are the same or not..but even if they were, or weren't would that kit be pretty universal? Or could it be modified to work?

Here are a few pics of the springs I have on the car, well now off the car and broke down for cleaning and painting. Not sure if anyone can tell me whether those are from a stock 66 or something else what they might be from? All the friction pads were crumbling, the zinc plates seemed to be in good shape, but the clamps snapped when I took them off so need to replace the clamps and friction pads. The above kit is a bit pricy for just what I need, but wondering if I should just go ahead and replace everything while I am at it? Also replacing all the bushings with poly bushings.

 

[BillGrissom]

Your springs are definitely beefier than in my 65 Dart, and it was a factory V-8. I think you have 2 extra leafs, even more than my 65 Newport, as I recall. I got the plastic slides, leaf clamps, and rubber bushings at an internet "suspension only" place in the late 1990's and I recall parts were cheap, maybe $20 total. That was for my Newport, but very similar. It could have been "Just Suspension", but I recall "Springs N Things" or such. Still have the box and some parts, so I'll check when I get home.

Your leafs & clamps look pretty good in the photo. It looks like one of the bottom leafs was added, since it doesn't appear it would fit in the clamp. FABO members in the rust belt would die for your rear-end. Isn't it great living in Sacramento?

 

[wjajr]

Give ESPO Springs ‘n Things a call:
http://www.springsnthings.com/

 

[Bad Sport]

As I said in this thread: http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showthread.php?t=180044

Call them and see if they will measure the width for you. Then measure your springs. They may very well work.

It would help if you kept it all in one thread as it would be easier to follow.

 

[POPS6T6]

Your springs are definitely beefier than in my 65 Dart, and it was a factory V-8. I think you have 2 extra leafs, even more than my 65 Newport, as I recall. I got the plastic slides, leaf clamps, and rubber bushings at an internet "suspension only" place in the late 1990's and I recall parts were cheap, maybe $20 total. That was for my Newport, but very similar. It could have been "Just Suspension", but I recall "Springs N Things" or such. Still have the box and some parts, so I'll check when I get home.

Your leafs & clamps look pretty good in the photo. It looks like one of the bottom leafs was added, since it doesn't appear it would fit in the clamp. FABO members in the rust belt would die for your rear-end. Isn't it great living in Sacramento?

Bill,
Well the funny part is that when I bought this car it was originally a "donor" car for my restoration project, paid $800 for it. Then after some work on the original car, we discovered the rust damage was just a bit to much to build a safe car for my son (it was originally from Ohio). So I decided to use this one as the build. It had disc brake conversions, the 8 3/4 posi rear end, new oversized sway bar, floor shifter and was full of extra parts! To say I made out would be an understatement! You're also in Sacramento? I live up in Rocklin area..If you're ever up that way , let me know, I am always open for advice and suggestions on this thing! You can also follow a bit of the restoration on cardomain.com just google POPS6T6 and the link should show up..

Thanks for looking into it and let me know what you find.
John

 

[POPS6T6]

As I said in this thread: http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showthread.php?t=180044

Call them and see if they will measure the width for you. Then measure your springs. They may very well work.

It would help if you kept it all in one thread as it would be easier to follow.

Badsport,
I had found that link AFTER I had looked for the clamps, then saw your response that is why I started a new thread with more pictures etc. I appreciate the input and will measure and give them a call. Thanks for following up on here as well!

John

 

[BillGrissom]

I found the receipt and uninstalled parts. My memory must be slipping. I ordered the spring parts in 2003 from:

Mac's Springs, 26746 E. Baseline, Highland, CA 92346, 909-862-4811
These parts were for my C body, so you may need different PN's:
KK9 - 2.5" repair clip & cap (clamps springs together), $1 ea
C-35 - PAD (plastic glides between springs), $1.99 ea
RB60 - Rubber Encased Bushing (front?), $11.87 ea
HB889 - Bushing (rear?), $1.99 ea

A bit more cost than I remembered. Some parts might work if your springs are 2.5" wide.

I never got around to changing the rubber bushings since they didn't look too bad, relative to the effort to remove them. I just pried the leafs apart with the axle hanging, cleaned rust, spray painted, and installed the plastic pads. My originals pads were leather w/ plastic rivets and mostly missing. Lowered it and put new clamps on.

 

[POPS6T6]

Thanks for the info! I am replacing all the bushings with poly bushings. I also measured the springs and they are 2.5" wide, looks like they did add 2 leafs. Probably going to leave those for now, so I am thinking I will need about 3 clamps each, (2) 1" deep and (1) 1" deep per spring. Also need about 5 friction pads and 6 zinc liners per spring assembly. Going to shop around and see what I can find. I've seen where people have used rolls of poly channel like material in place of the friction pads. Might have to look into that a little bit more.

 

[POPS6T6]

Well I finally found a place to get my leaf spring clamps, bolts and plastic friction pads (or as they might also be known tips, spacers, liners, spacers blah blah blah) http://www.eatonsprings.com/index.html had everything I needed.