1970 front springs

[Jordan S.]

I'm restoring my front suspension. I removed the original springs with tags still attached. They have some surface rust but the car sat nicely before removal. original 47,ooo miles on odometer.

My question: Do I mediablast/clear coat the original springs or replace? If I replace, who has the most accurate springs in terms of originality?

The car is an LS-5, no AC.

[Tom L.]

Re: 1970 front springs

I looked high and low for a set of new original style '70 springs with no luck. Your originals are taller than the replacements and they also have a tighter winding of the coils on the end that go up in the frame.

On the other hand, a new set of springs are only sixty bucks and you can't tell the difference once they're installed.

[Chuck S.]

Re: 1970 front springs

I'm restoring my front suspension. I removed the original springs with tags still attached. They have some surface rust but the car sat nicely before removal. original 47,ooo miles on odometer.

My question: Do I mediablast/clear coat the original springs or replace? If I replace, who has the most accurate springs in terms of originality?

The car is an LS-5, no AC.

Don't replace...keep the originals. "If it ain't broke..."

Applying clear is one way to keep the natural finish, but plan on it being detected; a satin clear applied lightly in a dry misting coat will be hardest to detect. The result will still be springs in raw steel "white metal", which is not exactly accurate...the actual original finish was a scaly, "as-formed" finish that you can't really duplicate You may want to let them season a little before you clear them. The impact of the resulting finish on your judging score will depend on the knowledge and exactness of the judges.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1970 front springs

I'm restoring my front suspension. I removed the original springs with tags still attached. They have some surface rust but the car sat nicely before removal. original 47,ooo miles on odometer.

My question: Do I mediablast/clear coat the original springs or replace? If I replace, who has the most accurate springs in terms of originality?

The car is an LS-5, no AC.

Jordan-----


Based upon the condition that you described, I would re-use the springs with no qualms, at all.

If it were me, I'd clean them up and clear-coat them with a light coat of a satin finish clear. Keep in mind that if you media blast to clean them up, it will somewhat change the appearance of the spring material compared to when it was new. But, I wouldn't worry too much about it.

[Stephen B.]

Re: 1970 front springs

I was wondering, what about applying a flat clear finish instead of clear satin to metal parts. Has anyone tried it?

[Patrick H.]

Re: 1970 front springs

I wasn't sure if Michael Hanson would chime in. I know that he has pictures of assembly line front springs.

The original finish was a shot peened/blasted-type of finish. The springs were the coated with a preservative so they wouldn't rust.

To mimic this finish, consider having your local machine shop shot blast them. Then use CRC-350 to spray them, and you'll be 95% accurate in appearance and finish.

Patrick