Rear Sprang

[CS72Roadster]

I am getting ready to replace the rear spring in my '72. I am planning on using the steel 7 leaf stock replacement. The car is sagging in the rear and bottoms out on bumps. I am just looking to improve the ride under normal driving conditions. Any advice or recommendations on this are appreciated.

Thanks,

CS

 

[OldSchool]

Sprung Sprang

I would be careful removing the load from the spring. Use a set of vice grips on the inboard side of the spring and a jack on the outboard side. Jack up the spring until it removes the load from the bolt in the trailing arm. The vice grips are there in case the jack wants to 'walk up' the spring. Remove the nut and carefully unload the spring.

I used a fiberglass mono spring and it improved my ride tremendously. Don't forget to change the shocks 'while your at it' good luck.. :bang :bang

 

[Stallion]

If you are up to going a little outside stock, I heard that fiberglass leaf springs are much better ride and are about 8 pounds compared to the steel one, at about 44 pounds or something. Depending on what you go with...


TR

 

[CS72Roadster]

I had considered fiberglass but, the car is mostly all original and I want to keep it that way and another thing was the steel was leess expensive.

 

[Stallion]

I agree. I would also go with steel. Just making sure you thought about all possibilities.

 

[drduckster]

rear sprang

I went with the 7 leaf steel from mid-america, and Monroe shocks..... my 76 was almost dragging the ground. it gives a fairly soft ride, ( cruising car), mine has been installed for 18 months.

 

[woobie1966]

i replaced the rear spring on mine, along with shocks, strut rods and some front end bushings. i used the 7 leaf steel, i have heard that the fiberglass are much better handling and save weight. im not sure i would want less weight, i have enough problems with traction now due to using 235/70/15's i;; see if the situation improves when i put 255/60/15's on but for now i see the extra weight over the rear tires as a benifit
mike

 

[drduckster]

rear sprang

I think the weight is a benefit, I also left my spare and tub intact. I also went to 255/60/15, on all four, I like the grip and the road handling.

 

[red70vette]

I replaced the rear spring in my 70 coupe but it made little difference in ride and handling. Only a minor improvement. I then replaced the shocks with AC Delco Reateac's painted them grey like the originals and it improve the ride 100%. Do both unless the shocks are relatively new.