69 L46 Rear Leaf Spring

[Keith M.]

Attached are pics of the spring that was in my car when I purchased it. Prev owner stated they installed this in the car I believe in the 90s...car has mostly sat since then..presumably replacing original. It appears "correct" in that it is 9 leaf and has the interleaf spacers EXCEPT between 6 and 7; AND the top 3 leafs are not "curved". I cannot find any marking on it. It appears NOT correct in that my understanding is correct ones did not have retainer bands???

I read the info in the TIM&JG and checked the AIM and believe original was GM #3850839. I understand originals were gray in color, some had a marking on one spring leaf. I am trying to sort out a game plan for this. I could pull it apart, clean it up and paint it....IF it were otherwise completely correct (ie. service replacement). OR...and possibly prefer this...source one that is 100% correct and fully finished. Soooo...what if any is/are the best sources for most correct rear leaf spring??

Thanks in advance for any and all input.
Keith

[Leif A.]

Re: 69 L46 Rear Leaf Spring

Could be an OEM replacement. Never did understand why people left the shipping bands on springs. If all else checks out, remove (and, toss) the bands, disassemble and refinish, install new liners and re-install.

[Patrick H.]

Re: 69 L46 Rear Leaf Spring

Based on the shipping bands, the ends of the main leaf and the curve of the ends of the other leaves, I think it's an aftermarket replacement.

[Joe L.]

Re: 69 L46 Rear Leaf Spring

Attached are pics of the spring that was in my car when I purchased it. Prev owner stated they installed this in the car I believe in the 90s...car has mostly sat since then..presumably replacing original. It appears "correct" in that it is 9 leaf and has the interleaf spacers EXCEPT between 6 and 7; AND the top 3 leafs are not "curved". I cannot find any marking on it. It appears NOT correct in that my understanding is correct ones did not have retainer bands???

I read the info in the TIM&JG and checked the AIM and believe original was GM #3850839. I understand originals were gray in color, some had a marking on one spring leaf. I am trying to sort out a game plan for this. I could pull it apart, clean it up and paint it....IF it were otherwise completely correct (ie. service replacement). OR...and possibly prefer this...source one that is 100% correct and fully finished. Soooo...what if any is/are the best sources for most correct rear leaf spring??

Thanks in advance for any and all input.
Keith

Keith------


No 1963+ GM Corvette spring I know of, PRODUCTION or SERVICE, was ever supplied with the leaf end bands.

[Keith M.]

Re: 69 L46 Rear Leaf Spring

Keith------


No 1963+ GM Corvette spring I know of, PRODUCTION or SERVICE, was ever supplied with the leaf end bands.

So if I understand your words correctly...by saying ...none "was ever supplied" you are saying GM never even produced them with the bands on (to be removed on installation or not). So because there are bands on these the logical conclusion is they are not OEM and likely 3rd party? Do i have that right?
Thanks.

[Keith M.]

Re: 69 L46 Rear Leaf Spring

Based on the shipping bands, the ends of the main leaf and the curve of the ends of the other leaves, I think it's an aftermarket replacement.

Since you mention those features...here are a few more photos....not sure they add anything particularly new...but nevertheless.

[Joe L.]

Re: 69 L46 Rear Leaf Spring

So if I understand your words correctly...by saying ...none "was ever supplied" you are saying GM never even produced them with the bands on (to be removed on installation or not). So because there are bands on these the logical conclusion is they are not OEM and likely 3rd party? Do i have that right?
Thanks.

[Gary B.]

Re: 69 L46 Rear Leaf Spring

Since you mention those features...here are a few more photos....not sure they add anything particularly new...but nevertheless.

[Joseph W.]

Re: 69 L46 Rear Leaf Spring

That is an aftermarket spring.
Looks just like the Eaton spring I bought.
As others have stated, the ends upturn too abruptly

[Joe L.]

Re: 69 L46 Rear Leaf Spring

That is an aftermarket spring.
Looks just like the Eaton spring I bought.
As others have stated, the ends upturn too abruptly

Joseph and Keith------


Still, while it might not be exactly correct, it should perform just fine. Did the car sit at correct rear ride height with this spring installed? If so and if strict originality is not necessary, I think this spring could be restored, re-installed and will serve very well.

[Keith M.]

Re: 69 L46 Rear Leaf Spring

While I did not put a tape on it the car height it did seem to sit just fine with this rear spring in it. While I prefer something more correct...this spring is indeed serviceable and I am not doing this restoration for points or prizes...just originality and correctness..which this spring is neither. So my choices are get the most correct replacement I can find, or refinish this one...and roll with it..at least for the time being. By the time I pay for spacers, paint, and consider my time...not sure there will be a ton of financial difference...but definitely cheaper than buying another one.

IF I do decide to get a replacement, what source(s) are making the most correct one these days? I have heard Eaton mentioned as one source, no idea how correct.

If I decide to refinish, here would be the plan for which I welcome input. Disassemble. toss liners and get replacements. treat springs in Evaporust. prime with self etching or whatnot. Finish with Quanta paint in link below which states is a good match to original. Reassemble but toss the bands. Are the spacers painted gray? Saw one NCRS reference indicating so.

https://www.gastanks.com/Rear-Leaf-Spring-Gray-Paint/productinfo/28-02A/

[Leif A.]

Re: 69 L46 Rear Leaf Spring

Keith,
If you decide to restore/refinish the spring you have, the leaves are restored/refinished first and then assembled...the liners are not painted. If you decide to go with a new spring, Eaton is definitely the company you want to use.

https://eatondetroitspring.com/db/es-partsinquiry2.php?

[Mark E.]

Re: 69 L46 Rear Leaf Spring

The Detroit Eaton spring is also on my short list of options for a replacement spring. So you know, I learned it's painted black, so you'll need to disassemble and paint it for an original look.

It's baffling that springs are black but should be grey, while rebuilt brake calipers come grey but should be black.

[Bill B.]

Re: 69 L46 Rear Leaf Spring

Not that it makes much of a difference, but I used Rust-oleum Professional Cold Galvanizing Compound spray for the individual spring leaves (top and bottom surfaces), which is rich in zinc. I chose this from information from another NCRS members post of recommendation. I believe the zinc provides a lubrication property that paint may not duplicate. I'm satisfied with the results.

From another posting, I believe it was mentioned that the factory springs were only sprayed on one side, but I could be wrong. I sprayed both top and bottom of each individual leaf.

[Keith M.]

Re: 69 L46 Rear Leaf Spring

Keith,
If you decide to restore/refinish the spring you have, the leaves are restored/refinished first and then assembled...the liners are not painted. If you decide to go with a new spring, Eaton is definitely the company you want to use.
https://eatondetroitspring.com/db/es-partsinquiry2.php?

Thanks for the info about the leaves...Leif. ;-) Leaning toward a restore. The Eaton site says their springs are not painted. Whether unpainted or black I still gotta disassemble and paint and reassemble...and spring will cost in vicinity of $350 shipped.