New or old rear spring?

[Michael M.]

I'm in the process of rebuilding the rear suspension in my 66 convertible. The old spring is rusty looking and a little pitted and the liners are gone, but the car sits perfect. Is there any downside to restoring the old one and re-using it? The car really sits nice the way it is. I would hate to buy a new spring and have the car sit too high. I replaced the front springs with NOS replacements a few years ago and it sits right where it did with the old ones. Are there replacement 9 leaf springs available that will sit at the correct height and look and ride the same (better?)? Maybe Eaton? It would be easier and probably about the same price (or slightly more expensive maybe) to replace as it would to have them blasted, buy new liners and then paint them, etc... Are there any NOS replacements still around (and at what price!)? Thanks for any thoughts or advice any one might have.

Mike

[Tracy C.]

Re: New or old rear spring?

Restoring your original spring is the way to go. It's really pretty easy. Removal and replacement is the hardest part of the whole deal.

tc

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: New or old rear spring?

Keep and restore your old spring. You can get new liners from Eaton that are as close to the original as you will find. I bought from them by the foot. You will have to do some cutting but the weight, configuration is right on. Any new spring, including Eaton's will sit too high.
Jeff

[Duke W.]

Re: New or old rear spring?

If the leaves only have minor pitting, the spring is serviceable and rebuilding it is the best way to go as most "replacement" or aftermarket springs don't have the same rate and often don't result in correct ride height.

If you disassemble the spring, thoroughly remove all the surface rust, apply a good corrosion resistant coating like Rustoleum Rusty Metal primer with an enamel top coat, reassemble with new liners and don't usually drive the car in rain or snow, it will be a judging deduction, but the spring will last at least another 50 years.

Springs do no normally "wear out", but serious corrosion will reduce spring rate, ride height, and eventually cause one or more leaves to break.

Duke

[Michael M.]

Re: New or old rear spring?

Thank you Tracy, Jeffrey and Duke. Looks like restoring it is the way to go. Eaton liners and quanta paint after it's cleaned and treated and primed. Looking at some older threads and pictures, mine isn't really bad at all. It should clean up pretty well.

[Ara G.]

Re: New or old rear spring?

I agree with the other guys. Restore it, even if it's pretty crusty. The car's stance makes it...I cringe when I see a midyear that sits so high that it looks like it's on blocks. Tires tucked nicely into the wheel wells looks fantastic....ARA

[Michael M.]

Re: New or old rear spring?

I agree with the other guys. Restore it, even if it's pretty crusty. The car's stance makes it...I cringe when I see a midyear that sits so high that it looks like it's on blocks. Tires tucked nicely into the wheel wells looks fantastic....ARA

I agree completely. That's why I asked The question that way. I really like the way it sits now and I don't want to change it. I guess I was really worried about the old spring staying where it is and not sagging. But, so far, it's good and I don't have any control over what it does in the future. So I'm going with it. Thanks for your reply.