|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 87
Shade Tree Mechanic
|
OP
Shade Tree Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 87 |
My rear leafs sit flat on the frame to the rear the shackles are collapsed straight out the back. I measured the length center bolt to center bolt while on the car it measures 49" the specs say the factory length is 49" what will cause my shackles to be collapsed like this? Will new springs help this problem even though they should be the same length? Does anyone have a picture of how much arc a factory spring has in it when new?
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,194
ChatMaster - 1,000
|
|
ChatMaster - 1,000
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,194 |
It sounds like your springs have lost their arch. You can find a spring shop to test the rate of your springs or it may be easier to just replace them. It might be a good idea to get new shackles and bushings also.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 87
Shade Tree Mechanic
|
|
OP
Shade Tree Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 87 |
It sounds like your springs have lost their arch. You can find a spring shop to test the rate of your springs or it may be easier to just replace them. It might be a good idea to get new shackles and bushings also. DBT This is my question I guess. Will new arched proper springs that are 49" make the shackles stand up like they should even though the springs now measure 49" with the shackles collapsed flat? I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around this deal.
Last edited by Stumpman; 12/25/13 09:49 PM.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 30,701 Likes: 141
ChatMaster - 25,000
|
|
ChatMaster - 25,000
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 30,701 Likes: 141 |
If the springs have flattened out that much they are beyond rearching. Also from the experiance I and others have had a rearched spring soon looses the arch again.
Looking at it this way. If enough weight was placed in the rear of the car the spring would be "archless" but the shackle would not be way back to the end of its travel.
I assume the rear of the car is sitting very loW. If it were mine I would begin by replacing the springs.....and while at it replace the shackles and front inlox bushings
Gene Schneider
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 87
Shade Tree Mechanic
|
|
OP
Shade Tree Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 87 |
I am going to replace the springs and shackles but can't understand like I said above how that will make the shackles stand back up if both the weak and the new arched springs are both 49" in length. I believe the original springs have been heated maybe to lower the rear a bit in the car it has a 350 V8 and camaro rear end in it now. All done before I got the car.
Last edited by Stumpman; 12/25/13 10:20 PM.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 30,701 Likes: 141
ChatMaster - 25,000
|
|
ChatMaster - 25,000
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 30,701 Likes: 141 |
I agree with you but you have got to start some place and it looks like it needs springs anyway. Keep us posted 
Gene Schneider
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,050
ChatMaster - 1,000
|
|
ChatMaster - 1,000
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,050 |
I think the confusion is that you're measuring from eye-to-eye and the "specs" are along the arch and the actual length of the spring pack. When the springs have the correct arch, the straight line measurement from eye-to-eye will be somewhat less than 49", but the measurement along the arch will be 49". As the spring arch is increased, the eye-to-eye distance lessens.
Make sense ?
-BowTie Bob
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 87
Shade Tree Mechanic
|
|
OP
Shade Tree Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 87 |
That makes sense. I was going by the picture in the specs though it showed a flat spring being measured straight hole to hole. Thanks I am going to replace them and see where that takes me I guess.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 87
Shade Tree Mechanic
|
|
OP
Shade Tree Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 87 |
I just ordered a new set of springs and a set of shackles with threaded bushings in them. Hopefully it cures the problem.
Thanks for the help.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
