'64 Rear end ride height

[Ed S.]

There are tons of threads regarding rear ride height on C2s - most do not have happy endings. Just thought I would pass my fortunate experience along. I just dropped my '64 convert back down on to its wheels after a complete rear end & suspension rebuild. All new rubber bushings from trailing arms to sombreros and then some. Eight of the 9 leafs I installed are originals from a '64 - I also installed new liners. I purchased a new main leaf from Eaton. I used the original 6.5 inch long bolts on the spring ends. I really got lucky - after dropping it down I moved the car back and forth a car length or 2 or 3 several times. Suspension settled in very nice. I took measurements on both sides, turned the castle nuts a few rotations - moved it again and Bingo - perfect ride height. Next step - torque down all suspension fasteners. I guess the moral of the story is use as many original leafs as possible. Thanks to all that provided comments and advice over the past year or so when I was tackling this project.

[Edward J.]

Re: '64 Rear end ride height

Ed, there's nothing better than a good ending. I did the same with a friends 63 leaf spring.

[Gary R.]

Re: '64 Rear end ride height

And I'm kicking myself for scrapping out my original 72 and 75 steel springs.

[Gene M.]

Re: '64 Rear end ride height

The trick is settling the suspension prior to tightening the (4) 9/16 spring bolts. Good job!

[Bob W.]

Re: '64 Rear end ride height

ED, What is the height of your 64 from the ground to the bottom of the fender lip? Also is the front the same height?

Thanks Bob

[Ed S.]

Re: '64 Rear end ride height

ED, What is the height of your 64 from the ground to the bottom of the fender lip? Also is the front the same height?

Thanks Bob

Bob - measuring from the ground - through the center of the wheel - to the bottom of the fender lip I have 26 1/4 inches on all 4 corners. I did not do any mods or repairs to the front suspension. Also note that I do not have OEM bias ply 7.60 x 15 tires on the car. I have a set of American Classic 205 75 R15 radials on the car. These tires are a bit lower (smaller diameter) than 7.60 x 15s but not much. I tried to measure as per the AIM - the difference between the low and high point of the rear strut rods at their center - too hard to do with the car on the ground and exhaust system installed - I measured 3 times, got 3 different numbers. I came up with another measurement that I feel is ideal to compare the left to right rear ride height. I measured from the concrete floor up to the very end of the frame rail directly in front of each rear wheel. Easy to get a ruler or tape measure in there and it will show small differences between left & right side height. I came up with 7 1/8 inch on both sides. Now ---- one more thing and perhaps the most important. The stance "looks right" - meaning an equal amount of the top of the tire is covered by the fender at all 4 corners. The bottom lip of the fender comes down just enough to conceal the top of the tire - I would estimate that it covers about 1/4 to 1/3 of the distance between the top of the white wall and the top of the tire. Hope this helps.

[Bob W.]

Re: '64 Rear end ride height

ED, Thanks for your reply, my next question was going to be about tires size as I plan on using torq thrust wheels.

Thanks Again Bob

[James W.]

Re: '64 Rear end ride height

Ed,

So you only replaced your rear spring main leaf with a new one from Eaton Spring? Was it identical to your original main leaf? I have my '65 rear spring apart and it has a considerable amount of material missing on the top left side of the main leaf do to corrosion.

Thanks,


James West

[Ed S.]

Re: '64 Rear end ride height

Yes, that is correct - I replaced the main leaf only. The original I had was pitted - the other 8 had surface rust only. I purchased the one leaf from Eaton. I called them - I spoke to a man that said he was the shop foreman and asked if they would sell just one leaf - he said, "sure" - I placed the order and paid for it - then a few weeks went by and I didn't receive any shipping notice - I called again - a woman answered, I explained the situation - she checked my order # and said, "sorry, we don't sell just 1 leaf". I asked to speak to the guy (don't recall his name) I spoke to the first time - he got on the phone and said, something like, "don't worry, I'm in charge here I am making your spring now - the person you spoke to is misinformed"! As for how does it compare - I would say about 95% identical. The length and width and - very important, the 45 degree angle cuts on the ends and large holes were perfect matches to my original. The thickness is not - the new spring is a few thousands thicker. Not very noticeable with the naked eye. This is because the steel they get from the foundry is not made the same way it was 50 years ago. The arc was close - but I was comparing a new spring to one that was worn. The good news is that I was able to use the original spring / T-Arm bolts - didn't have to resort to the longer repro bolts to get the correct ride height. Ride height is good. Also - I purchased a spring restoration kit (paint & liners) from Quanta. It came out looking good.


A few more points - if you are going to replace the spring you will also need new cups for the bushings. Gary Beaupre (sp) - a guy that frequently posts on this forum has a very nice special tool he will loan you for the cost of shipping - it compresses and rolls back the cup edge around the spring hole perfectly - almost too perfect. It will look a lot better than anything you can do with a large socket and 3 pound hammer. The cups - replacements that are identical to or nearly identical to originals are very difficult to find - NOS will cost you a small fortune. My advice - don't beat your head against the differential - get the ones that are readily available - take a 1 or 2 (at most) point deduction and move on.

[James W.]

Re: '64 Rear end ride height

Ed,

Thanks for the information. I just got off the phone with Eaton Spring, and purchased a new main leaf from them. Is the spring liner kit from Quanta pre-cut or does it come in a roll? I have Gary's spring cup swage tool and I purchased four of his spring cups,

Thanks,

James

[Gary B.]

Re: '64 Rear end ride height

?.. The cups - replacements that are identical to or nearly identical to originals are very difficult to find - NOS will cost you a small fortune...

[Ed S.]

Re: '64 Rear end ride height

And if Gary Beaupre doesn't have one and has never seen one - they don't exist - and probably never did!

[Gary B.]

[John M.]

Re: '64 Rear end ride height

If you do not mind sharing, what is the cost of the single (main) leaf from Eaton. Also does the replacement leaf have the "sled runner" ends as the original or are they flat? Thanks for your post about rebuilding your spring as it is a job that I have considered attempting as one side of my 66 sits about one half inch lower than the other - no one has ever mentioned it but knowing it is there eats at my mind.

[Ed S.]

Re: '64 Rear end ride height

John, it has been about 2 years since I purchased the single main leaf - prices are probably higher now - if James West doesn't give you a recent price I will dig through some files and get you a ball park - as I recall of the top of my head they charge me, with shipping, not quite half the price of a compete new 9 leaf set. As for the sled runner ends - if you are talking about the slight roll up on the ends of the leafs - that is only on the secondary leafs - the main leaf does not have that little up turn on the end - it wasn't on originals. A half inch difference in ride height from one side to the other might be corrected with an adjustment on the T-Arm to spring bolt - of course you will need to do an alignment if you change that setting.