1960 Front Spring Advice Needed
I am restoring my chassis and have original front springs that check out at 253 lbs each on a spring rate checker. I am worried about the ride quality on these almost 60 year old springs. Should I change them with new springs and if so, is there a vendor that sells good springs that will pass judging ?
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Re: 1960 Front Spring Advice Needed
I have looked at reproduction springs from CC, NOS and original springs. Here are the photos in that same order and and the CC springs on the top look very similar. The NOS spring has 1 less coil. Any experience with CC, NOS or Original springs ? -
Re: 1960 Front Spring Advice Needed
Are the NOS springs heavy duty? I believe that the heavy duty have one less coil than the standard spring.Comment
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Re: 1960 Front Spring Advice Needed
Mark
There is no such thing as a quality ride in a C1, lol. The front end is 1940's technology, same as a truck. I would use the originals, if they have weakened any that would probably help. Best thing you can do for that old front end is keep it greased. I put about 6000 miles on my 62 a year and I grease the front end 2-3 times a summer, it helps. Remember there are no bushings in these a-arms. It still amazes me that as Chevrolets premier car they kept that 49 truck front end under it till 1963.Comment
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Re: 1960 Front Spring Advice Needed
They weren't listed as NOS heavy duty but maybe that is the reason. Maybe a service replacement difference ?Comment
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Re: 1960 Front Spring Advice Needed
Thanks Terry and Eric for the recommendation to use my original springs. I think that is the way I will go.Comment
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Re: 1960 Front Spring Advice Needed
To the best of my knowledge, none of the reproduction front springs for 53-62 cars have the number stamped into the (flat) end of the last coil. Although, what does it matter???? That end of the spring cannot be seen because it is up inside the spring pocket of the cross member. The ONLY way to see if a number is stamped into the end coil is to remove the spring. At this time, I am not aware of any judging requirement to remove the spring to inspect the spring for the stamped number.
Also, those people who make reference to 53-62 Corvettes as having a 1949 truck front suspension, obviously don't know the difference between a 49 truck and 49 passenger car front suspension and cross member. The 49 trucks had LEAF springs and a SOLID front axle. The 49 pass cars have independent, upper/lower A-frames and COIL springs. AND, when properly rebuilt and properly aligned and the steering gear box properly adjusted, the 53-62 cars ride and drive quite well-------------------ESPECIALLY with radial tires and the front wheel bearings replaced with roller bearings (roller bearings are something a judge can never see).Comment
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Re: 1960 Front Spring Advice Needed
I can't see any reason to replace the original springs unless it's sagging to one side or the other. There have been way too many posts over the years about too high of ride height with repro or replacement springs. I'd rather have originals even if they had settled to a little lower that new.
I'm not sure why those NOS springs have 8 coils unless they were made to fit but not necessarily to correct configuration. If they were real NOS HD springs they would be quite expensive.
I have a pair of NOS springs I bought through GM parts back in 1971. They are part number 3756540 with a yellow tag and a Canadian maple leaf sticker. They are 9 coils and were listed as for standard suspension. The HD springs were already out of production by that time. These will go into my '59 one of these days as it has a slight sag to the left front.
TomComment
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