69 L71 rear leaf springs

[Leif A.]

Re: 69 L71 rear leaf springs

Thank you Joe.
Ill have to figure out a way to move the car around a decent distance. It’s not drivable currently, so I have to overcome that obstacle.

Joseph,
You can simply push the car backwards 20-30 feet and then forwards again and that should settle whatever is going to settle. You don't have to drive it, necessarily.

[Richard M.]

Re: 69 L71 rear leaf springs

Here's what I do....

Spread some sand on the floor under the tires. Put pieces of cardboard on the sand. Lower the car on the cardboards.

The tires will camber almost perfectly.

Rich

[Joe L.]

Re: 69 L71 rear leaf springs

Here's what I do....

Spread some sand on the floor under the tires. Put pieces of cardboard on the sand. Lower the car on the cardboards.

The tires will camber almost perfectly.

Rich

Rich-------
Yes, this is similar to the use of "grease plates". With this method one takes two pieces of flat sheet metal about 12" X 12" each and liberally applies grease between them. Make up two of these and place the rear tires on each. I've used this method before but I still prefer to roll the car a significant distance to normalize the suspension.

[Richard M.]

Re: 69 L71 rear leaf springs

Rich-------
Yes, this is similar to the use of "grease plates". With this method one takes two pieces of flat sheet metal about 12" X 12" each and liberally applies grease between them. Make up two of these and place the rear tires on each. I've used this method before but I still prefer to roll the car a significant distance to normalize the suspension.

Joe, Yes best to roll it as you and Leif suggested, but Joseph said he's had difficulty doing that.

One thing I noticed after zooming in on his latest photos is that the concrete floor is quite rough and grooved, likely sweep brushed before the concrete cured. Might be better to make up the grease plates, or use the sand method with thin plywood instead of the cardboard.


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[Joe L.]

Re: 69 L71 rear leaf springs

Joe, Yes best to roll it as you and Leif suggested, but Joseph said he's had difficulty doing that.

One thing I noticed after zooming in on his latest photos is that the concrete floor is quite rough and grooved, likely sweep brushed before the concrete cured. Might be better to make up the grease plates, or use the sand method with thin plywood instead of the cardboard.


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Richard-------


Yes, the surface finish on the concrete floor could be a big factor in keeping the wheels from reaching the normal camber.

[Joseph W.]

Re: 69 L71 rear leaf springs

I have plenty of room to push it that far, plus I have kids that can help ha!
Interesting, I took some measurements intially, Then after winching it up into the trailer and the that distance number was reduced about 3/4" in a very short period of time.
I'm going to also source some slightly longer spring end bolts to help it along

[Joseph W.]

048C35A0-CBD6-46FE-8129-ACBD4ED4F9CA.jpgF1E30D86-92C9-4F69-AD61-138FE0459C35.jpgBB9CD210-17A0-4BB4-9922-10AB466E9C84.jpg30EBA27E-025D-4ED1-A8D7-96F54F72ED33.jpgFB2D93D7-F132-47D8-A01C-36AD10409DFB.jpgThe front shock all restored

[Mark E.]

Re: 69 L71 rear leaf springs

Joseph,

I'm learning about replacing/restoring C3 rear springs and came across your thread. Any updates with how you fixed the ride height issue?

[Joseph W.]

Re: 69 L71 rear leaf springs

Joseph,

I'm learning about replacing/restoring C3 rear springs and came across your thread. Any updates with how you fixed the ride height issue?

Hi Mark
funny you ask. I was working on my car this past weekend which involves rolling it in and out of an enclosed trailer.
I noticed that the car sits very close to normal now.
so to answer your question, I did nothing except give it time and it has eventually settled just like a couple of folks on this thread said it would.