Leaf Spring Sag

[Duke5A]

Yes that is 5 leaf. More then likely rather then the springs being replaced an additional spring was added before. That used to be a very common thing to do as springs wore put or people needed stiffer springs.

That helper leaf was most definitely added later on. The ISO bucket is bent to compensate for the additional leaf in the pack. Whoever did that never added spacers.

 

[Sub03]

Thank you very much both of you.
I just ordered a set of 5-leaf springs with shackles from General Spring. Hopefully they will be here in 2-3 weeks. That gives me plenty of time to clean and paint the bits and pieces lying on my garage floor, and fab up some 1/4" spacers.

I really appreciate your help. Your advice and knowledge makes the whole process of ordering parts from the states a little less scary.

 

[volare 1977]

It looks to me that someone had 4 leaf prior and squished the 4 leaf plates to work with a 5 leaf that it was replaced with.

 

[Mikes5thAve]

Good luck with it all!
I use a chunk of old spring for spacers since that's the extra width anyway.

 

[volare 1977]

I believe I measured about a 1/4 difference between the two

 

[LSM360]

I have factory AHB so I have 5 leafs. I replaced them once long time ago. I think if I were doing it again I'd go with these. I already have their front hangers.

'76-'88 FMJ-Body HD Street/Track Leaf Springs

 

[AMC Diplomat]

I just bought those 5 leaf clamps that were listed in the for sale section. So hopefully I can get everything upgraded to the 5 leaf set up. More places carry 5 leafs, they're the better option, and it'll probably save me money in the long run.

 

[AMC Diplomat]

Just ordered from Espo Springs and Things. 4 week lead time. $581 for everything; springs, hardware, bushings, ISO pads, shipping. Considerably cheaper than Stengel Brothers.

 

[AMC Diplomat]

Springs and hardware from Espo arrived today way ahead of schedule!

 

[Aspen500]

Espo is great to deal with!

 

[AMC Diplomat]

Espo is great!

I was able to get everything from 1 place and the shipping was extremely reasonable considering the weight. I really wasn't expecting them this soon but when I saw the UPS email earlier this week I got super excited. This gives me a lot more time to get stuff done on the car before I road trip it

 

[AMC Diplomat]

I've got one side just placed in hand tight and resting on a crappy wheel for today. Anyone have any tips for keeping the stock ubolts from bending when taking the nuts off? That added way too much time to this side. Holy hell I was half tempted to get the angle grinder out and just cut them off.

 

[DCAspen]

Cut off the old ones and install brand new U bolts

 

[Camtron]

Cut off the old ones and install brand new U bolts

This is the correct answer.

 

[AMC Diplomat]

Why would anyone reuse the old ones? Jesus.

 

[AMC Diplomat]

I soak the 5 leaf brackets/clamps in evapo rust for a couple weeks, then primed and painted them.

I picked up two inches of ride height with it all back together

Here's a good set of after pics to compare to the pics I first posted in the thread

 

[Sub03]

Got the springs (and shackles) from General Springs, and could take the Aspen out for a short test drive yesterday.
Very pleased with the result. I think the car feels a bit firmer now.

I did the whole rust treatment on all the hardware too, and painted it.
Also replaced all the bearings, bushings and poly pads. Well, replaced all the bearings (wheel and carrier) but not the pinion. I a bit scared of the pinion depth adjustment so they were left out, but they feel allright and the pinion torque was within specs.
The old beauty got all new brake hardware and I made new brake lines on the rear axle.

No pics with the axle back on the car, but took some right before it went under there.



Thanks for all your input guys, and thank you AMC Diplomat for getting me off my butt...

 

[DCAspen]

Looks great,put some miles on it and enjoy the fruits of your labor

 

[LSM360]

Nice work AMC and Sub03! Enjoy.

 

[Camtron]

Got the springs (and shackles) from General Springs, and could take the Aspen out for a short test drive yesterday.
Very pleased with the result. I think the car feels a bit firmer now.

I did the whole rust treatment on all the hardware too, and painted it.
Also replaced all the bearings, bushings and poly pads. Well, replaced all the bearings (wheel and carrier) but not the pinion. I a bit scared of the pinion depth adjustment so they were left out, but they feel allright and the pinion torque was within specs.
The old beauty got all new brake hardware and I made new brake lines on the rear axle.

No pics with the axle back on the car, but took some right before it went under there.

View attachment 50281View attachment 50282View attachment 50283View attachment 50284

Thanks for all your input guys, and thank you AMC Diplomat for getting me off my butt...

Looking good. Get a rear sway bar on there next, it helps so much in getting ride of most of the body roll at the rear end of the car when cornering.

Looks great guys, cheers!