Repro mid year rear spring-which vendor?

[Michael G.]

Serveral repro rear springs for mid years available out there. What company is making the most accurate reproduction? Thanks.

[Rob M.]

Re: Repro mid year rear spring-which vendor?

I believe that Eaton Detriot Spring, Inc makes a very good rear spring for a C-2. I know that I am happy with mine. They're at www.eatonsprings.com

Rob

[Michael G.]

Re: Repro mid year rear spring-which vendor?

Rob....understanding you were pleased....how was the fit and finish? Did you contact them direct? Cost/shippng? Thanks.

[Rob M.]

Re: Repro mid year rear spring-which vendor?

Michael,

It was 2 years ago this month that I bought mine. At that time, it was approximately $200 total. I had to paint it myself using paint from Quanta and the fit was fine. I had no issues (or loss of points) when the car was judged.

Hope that helps,
Rob

[Chuck G.]

Re: Repro mid year rear spring-which vendor?

The Eaton is not 100% accurate, but it's as good as you're going to get.

The "curls" on the ends of each leaf aren't quite right. They're much thicker than originals.

Chuck

[Michael G.]

Re: Repro mid year rear spring-which vendor?

Chuck,

Guess my question is still out there......who is making "the most" accurate reproduction" of the mid year rear spring? Although with thicker curled ends, is it Easton? Is there some other company repro spring that closely resembles the original? Thanks again.

[Chuck G.]

Re: Repro mid year rear spring-which vendor?

Here are 2 pix. One has the Eaton repro on the left with an original on the right. You'll notice how the original has "cut in's" on each side whereas the Eaton is smooth/tapered.

The second shows the thicker Eaton ends on the upper 3 leaves, next to original "ends" on the lower leaves.

You can guess what I did. Took the top 3 Eaton leaves and the lower-most Eaton leaf, and used my originals in between. Best I could do.

Chuck

[Kent K.]

Re: Repro mid year rear spring-which vendor?

I believe that Eaton Detriot Spring, Inc makes a very good rear spring for a C-2. I know that I am happy with mine. They're at www.eatonsprings.com

Rob

Same here for my '67. If there were different end treatments on the upper leaves, which I don't remember since it was a long time ago when I changed the spring, I would have reused the upper leaves and newer lower leaves from Eaton for a complete unit. Correct new liners were installed. IIRC - I have never had points deducted for the spring. Oh, paint I used was Rustolium, gray primer from a home improvement store.

If you order from Eaton, ask them for an unpainted spring. You'll have to dissassemble it, paint and assemble it correctly.

[Gary B.]

Repro mid year rear spring-which vendor?

Michael,

The Eaton Detroit Spring is the closest match to the original. It is not dead nuts on, but it's better than the alternatives, unless you choose to rehab an original.

Gary

[Michael H.]

Re: Repro mid year rear spring-which vendor?

Michael,

The Eaton Detroit Spring is the closest match to the original. It is not dead nuts on, but it's better than the alternatives, unless you choose to rehab an original.

Gary

I'm curious about the ride height Gary. I've seen a lot of cars with reproduction springs that sit way too high in the rear but maybe they weren't Eaton springs?

[Gary B.]

Re: Repro mid year rear spring-which vendor?

Michael,

Front what I've heard ride height with the Eaton spring is OK once it settles in.

Gary

[Michael H.]

Re: Repro mid year rear spring-which vendor?

Michael,

Front what I've heard ride height with the Eaton spring is OK once it settles in.

Gary

Ok, just curious. Thanks Gary.

[Michael G.]

Re: Repro mid year rear spring-which vendor?

Chuck,

Looking at your images, I concur. The Eaton spring is plainly thicker. What is cost of the Eaton spring? Thanks for the images!

[Chuck G.]

Re: Repro mid year rear spring-which vendor?

Chuck,

Looking at your images, I concur. The Eaton spring is plainly thicker. What is cost of the Eaton spring? Thanks for the images!

Don't remember, Michael. It's been some time since I bought it.

Maybe others can chime in.

Chuck

[Kent K.]

Re: Repro mid year rear spring-which vendor?

It's also been a long time since I replaced mine. IIRC - there was a problem getting the bolts into the differential. Seemed as though they were too short. That could have been because the spring was thicker? OR, it could have been my inexperience. Who knows??? Anyway, when handling both springs simultaneously, we didn't notice any thickness differentials. As I mentioned earlier in this thread, we reused the upper leaves and replaced only the lower leaves and all new liners.