1970 Leaf Springs

[Lee McGlamery]

Hi - I am replacing the leaf springs on my 70 and the replacement springs (9 leaf) have keeper straps on each end of the springs that are around the lower three leafs. The keeper are loose and slide off the sprigs easily but I imagine that will change once the springs are installed. Since the keepers were not on the original springs, I would like to remove them. Will the leafs slide out of place if the keepers are removed? Also, will damage occur if the keepers are removed? I am sure the keepers have a purpose or else the money would not have been spent in the manufacturing process.

I would not be replacing the springs but someone put 7 leaf springs under the car and the car does not have the heavy duty suspension.

Thanks

Lee McGlamey

[Harmon C.]

Re: 1970 Leaf Springs

The keepers keep the spring from twisting on the center bolt. I have found twisted springs on new restorations. If the rear spring bolts are torqued down after the corvette restoration is complete with all weight on the spring their should be no problem leaving off the keepers.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1970 Leaf Springs

Lee-----

If the replacement spring has the plastic spring liners with "raised edges", then you don't need the end bands. If the replacemnent spring has the "flat" plastic liners, then I'd purchase a set of the original type, diassemble the spring and replace them. This is an easy operation and you can also make the replacement spring look more correct that way.

Whether or not you replace the liners, I think that you can get by without the end bands. However, if you replace the liners, then you can certainly get by without the end bands; that's how GM did it originally.