Do I need a new leaf spring? *pics*

[7NT1VETTE]

Heres my '72, Does anyone think it sits lower than normal, because my exhaust seems to touch even sometimes if I slam the gas. When do I know if I need a new leaf spring?

 

[groovyjay]

Your rear sits just right IMO! You can have the rear end lowered with longer spring bolts. You can check if the spring is worn out and sagging by taking a peek under your car and see if the leaf still makes an arch, if it's just flat or the arch is upside down your spring is dead.

There's a trick to make the old steel spring better, just remove the pack of leafs take it apart and then sandblast every individual leaf and just put it back together. Sandblasting the metal "wakes it up" .

 

[Stallion]

I was in the other thread saying that I think I have the same problem. Here is my last post that maybe you could answer:

I think I have the same problem. So you think the noise is coming from the exaust pipe scratching on the body? Is that what you mean by "floor"?

...causing the pipes to screech on the floor...

 

[7NT1VETTE]

I was in the other thread saying that I think I have the same problem. Here is my last post that maybe you could answer:

I think I have the same problem. So you think the noise is coming from the exaust pipe scratching on the body? Is that what you mean by "floor"?

No the pipes actually touch the ground, the street.

 

[Stallion]

Oh okay.

Maybe it is my springs though. Becuase you have to figure if I got the same problem then my exaust could be too low in relation to the body and rubbing on the body. No?

 

[JohnZ]

Before you tear into it and replace the spring, spend twenty bucks or so and change the rubber bushings on the rear spring end link bolts (at the spring and at the trailing arm); when they get old they deteriorate, flatten out, and directly reduce ride height by the amount of thickness they've lost. Most of the time, replacing those donuts will restore correct ride height; if not, then it's time to do something with the spring. Correct rear spring camber (sometimes called "arch") is shown in the photo below; if yours is "flat" or cambered "up" at the ends instead of down, the spring itself needs work.

 

[Wolverine]

Your left side exhaust looks a little low to me. I had the same issue. I took it to a muffler shop and for $25 they buttened everything up where it was supposed to be. No more bottoming out.