Looking at New 9 Leaf Rear Springs. Are they both Correct?

[Paul C.]

The ones sold by Corvette America are guaranteed correct or money back (Approx $500) The spring from Corvette Central is not guaranteed but looks OK. Can someone look at these pictures and tell me if it looks correct. Approx. $172. These pictures are from Corvette Central......... Both a 9 leaf; 2.25 inches wide; steel; and liner. Thanks Paulleaf spring 2.jpgleaf spring.jpg

[Edward J.]

Re: Looking at New 9 Leaf Rear Leaf SpringAre they both Correct?t?

Paul the first pic looks good but have never seen the Corvette America's spring must be a new product.

[Bob R.]

Re: Looking at New 9 Leaf Rear Leaf SpringAre they both Correct?t?

Check with Eaton Spring Company I think their spring is about $250.00 and has the raised ends.

[Richard M.]

Re: Looking at New 9 Leaf Rear Leaf SpringAre they both Correct?t?

I would imagine at $172 the CC spring is made either in Asia or some other "questionable-quality" location. I'd call them to ask.

[Mike F.]

Re: Looking at New 9 Leaf Rear Leaf SpringAre they both Correct?t?

America's Finest Corvettes offers a 9 leaf spring as well. They advertise in the Driveline.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Looking at New 9 Leaf Rear Leaf SpringAre they both Correct?t?

If you look in the Archives, there is a good chance that any/most new springs will have the rear of your Corvette riding high.

I've had good success purchasing used springs, and then gently blasting them, repainting them and installing new liners.
You do have to watch for rust, but some of the Corvette junkyards/used parts places in CA and the Southwest will have quality items.

[Leif A.]

Re: Looking at New 9 Leaf Rear Leaf SpringAre they both Correct?t?

Check with Eaton Spring Company I think their spring is about $250.00 and has the raised ends.

Paul,
Bob is spot on with his suggestion...$235 from Eaton.

https://www.eatondetroitspring.com/ordering/parts-lookup/

[Gary B.]

Re: Looking at New 9 Leaf Rear Leaf SpringAre they both Correct?t?

All,

I have always recommended Eaton Detroit Spring for a replacement 9-leaf spring. But any knowledgeable judge will detect a difference in the geometry of the ends of leaves 2-9 on the Eaton, which do not look the same as the taper rolled ends on an original GM spring. About 6 or 7 years ago America's Finest Corvette (AFC) started selling a repro 7-leaf, HD spring, which looks like it has the correct geometry of the taper rolled ends. I had been hearing for the past 3 or 4 years that AFC has plans to repro the 9-leaf spring, but I have never seen it advertised. About 3 weeks ago when talking with AFC about another part, I happened to mention their 7-leaf spring and to my surprise the person said they also now have the 9-leaf spring, but they haven't advertised it yet. One downside about the AFC 9-leaf spring is that it costs $500 or $525, and that may not include shipping. Regardless, if AFC has done a good job on the 9-leaf to get the taper rolled ends correct and if they have done a good job to get the stiffness and free arch correct, then it might be worth the cost. In my opinion, if the taper rolled ends and ride height are correct with the AFC 9-leaf spring, then it should judge better than the Eaton Detroit 9-leaf spring, albeit at more than twice the cost.

Gary

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: Looking at New 9 Leaf Rear Leaf SpringAre they both Correct?t?

What Patrick said!
Jeff

[Bill C.]

Re: Looking at New 9 Leaf Rear Leaf SpringAre they both Correct?t?

Mike from Americas finest corvettes in CA sells a damn near perfect duplicate of the 9 leaf spring.
i just grabbed one from him and put it on the 67
fit perfect, ride height is spot on, ride quality is great and comes painted correctly, liners etc.. and the correct end cups are peened on the bottom leaf.

wasn't cheap like $450 + shipping

but SO SO worth it.
Im crazy picky and it made me REAL happy!

its not listed in his catalogue, just have to ask him.
he makes them as ordered - so leave a good week or so for it to be made.

my two cents.
Bill

[Gary B.]

Re: Looking at New 9 Leaf Rear Leaf SpringAre they both Correct?t?

Jeff,

I agree that finding a used GM original to restore can work perfectly fine, but it might be hard for some to find a good original.

As an aside, in one of the articles I wrote for the Restorer on leaf springs about 10 years ago, my suggestion was to get a new main leaf, say from Eaton, and then to re-use GM original leaves 2-9. My reason for doing that was two-fold: 1) to avoid using repro leaves 2-9 with their incorrect end treatment; and 2) to use a brand new main leaf for an extra measure of safety. That's what I've done for my '66. The resulting hybrid looks 100% correct. The Eaton main leaf is ever so slightly thicker than an original GM main leaf, but as an assembly that difference is not detectable without using a caliper. Also I found no significant differences in stiffness or free arch that would result in an incorrect ride height using the Eaton main + GM 2-9 vs a GM original.

But many people have bought and will continue to buy the Eaton spring, and if money is no object, I'm sure some will "spring" for the AFC 9-leaf.

Gary

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: Looking at New 9 Leaf Rear Leaf SpringAre they both Correct?t?

Gary,
I have put several replacement springs on my '69 including an Eaton spring on mine and a friend of mine. Not one had the correct ride height. In every case overly long end bolts were required to bring down the rear end. The last spring I used was a nice used original and liners bought by the foot from Eaton and cut and shaped to length. Perfect height and look. Good used springs are available at very reasonable cost and are easily refurbished.
Jeff

[Gary B.]

Re: Looking at New 9 Leaf Rear Leaf SpringAre they both Correct?t?

Bill,

Based on the cost I was told by AFC, you got a bargain on their repro 9-leaf. Actually, I get the sense the AFC guys are willing to give people a break if you chat with them a while.

Gary

[Gary B.]

Re: Looking at New 9 Leaf Rear Leaf SpringAre they both Correct?t?

Jeff,

I can only report what I've read on the DB about the Eaton 9-leaf in terms of ride height and that is a number of people have reported that the ride height is correct. John Hinckley being one of them if I'm not mistaken. I've never tried an complete Eaton myself, so my knowledge is 2nd hand.

Gary

[Gary B.]

Re: Looking at New 9 Leaf Rear Leaf SpringAre they both Correct?t?

Mike from Americas finest corvettes in CA sells a damn near perfect duplicate of the 9 leaf spring.
i just grabbed one from him and put it on the 67
fit perfect, ride height is spot on, ride quality is great and comes painted correctly, liners etc.. and the correct end cups are peened on the bottom leaf.

Bill,

Is there any way you could post a close-up photo showing the taper rolled end one leaf of the AFC 9-leaf repro?

Gary