C1 Way too stiff coil & leaf springs?

[Bob B.]

Hi all,

Light at the end of the tunnel: I just got the body back on my 1960 this past weekend! I noticed that the fenders are sitting 3+ inches above the tires, way more than before the body came off. I figured that the body has been off for 17 months, so maybe with the weight off the springs have relaxed.

However, I decided to push down on the fenders to see if they would go down and spring back, but it was just like pushing on the fenders when the body was on the dolly, i.e. I can't push it down at all. The body has compressed things just a bit, as the rebound strap is about an inch below the axle housing. I read something about the leaf spring bolt on the bracket, so maybe I could try loosening and retightening that, but then what about the front? Or have things just sort of glued together with the paint on the various items and will break free when driven? Suggestions welcomed!

Thanks,

Bob

[Roy B.]

Re: C1 Way too stiff coil & leaf springs?

Back will settle ! Did you use new frame cushions under the rear fenders?? Or you did install the rear leaf spring under the rear cross frame and not above it ??did you replace the front coils (repro) ?? If so they suck.

[Joel M.]

Re: C1 Way too stiff coil & leaf springs?

On the rears, try loosening both the front and rear shackle bolts a little and see if you get a little bounce. With new bushings and everything tight might just be bound up.

[Don Izzo]

Re: C1 Way too stiff coil & leaf springs?

My 60 did the same thing but by the time the last part was installed, the battery I think, everything was normal.

Don

[Loren L.]

I think that somewhere in the AIM

you will find the instruction to NOT bolt down the retainers on the rear spring UNTIL everything has been installed - even then it might be a good idea to ask two of your "more American" buddies to sit in the trunk and have a Bud or a Miller lite.