Is it possible, with the stock bolt, to raise the rear spring height and hence the back of the car? Its a 64 conv. and the front is about 3/4" higher than the rear. I cant tell from looking if there are enough threads to tighten the spring that much. Thanks!
raising rear spring?
- Thread starter rowingone
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studiog
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Going back in time here... I know I have used a spacer (thick washer) in the past to raise the height of a C2. I think there were grommet & washer kits for doing this years ago. Don't know if they are still available. I don't think you want to use multiple thin washers though. I think I remember a problem in doing so. Same with just tightening the nut. I'm sure John Z would have a kosher solution for you.rowingone said:
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Thanks studiodog . . . I was thinking about adding washers but . . guess not! I think I'll try to find the spacers or maybe get the adjustable bolts. I didnt know how to tell if the rear spring needed replacement . . is low height an indication of a worn spring - it handles fine.
S
studiog
Guest
Yea, I believe it is an indication of a weak spring. John Z has written articles on the subject and is very knowledgeable and probably has resources for reconditioning or replacing your rear leaf.rowingone said:
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- '67 Marina Blue Convertible
First thing to do is to check the actual rear suspension height to see if the spring is still within specs; measure from the center of the inboard and outboard camber strut rod bushing bolts to ground and calculate the difference between the two, and see how that compares to the "D" height shown in the chart in UPC 4 of your Assembly Manual - should be around 3-3/8". That measures actual spring deflection under load, independent of tire size or other variables. Two-minute job with a yo-yo. If it isn't more than an inch off, usually just disassembling the spring, cleaning it up, painting it, installing new liners (Quanta), and re-assembling it will bring it back pretty close to specs.
If it's more than an inch off (or looks cambered "up" instead of being almost flat to cambered slightly down), and isn't badly corroded, Eaton Detroit Spring ( www.eatonsprings.com ) can re-arch it correctly, with proper heat-treat, annealing, and shot-peening, just like new; tell them not to paint it - paint it yourself and assemble it with new liners.
Most of the reproduction springs the vendors sell have too much arch in them and tend to make the back of the car sit 1"-2" too high.
The pics below show how a correctly-arched rear spring should look, installed and under normal load; if your spring is cambered "up" instead of "down", it needs re-arching or replacement.
If it's more than an inch off (or looks cambered "up" instead of being almost flat to cambered slightly down), and isn't badly corroded, Eaton Detroit Spring ( www.eatonsprings.com ) can re-arch it correctly, with proper heat-treat, annealing, and shot-peening, just like new; tell them not to paint it - paint it yourself and assemble it with new liners.
Most of the reproduction springs the vendors sell have too much arch in them and tend to make the back of the car sit 1"-2" too high.
The pics below show how a correctly-arched rear spring should look, installed and under normal load; if your spring is cambered "up" instead of "down", it needs re-arching or replacement.
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