1961 Leaf Springs

[David C.]

I am restoring a 1961.

1) I need to have the leaf springs restored. Any recommendations on who/where I should get to do it?

2) Where can I find out what was attached to the frame when it was "blacked out"?

Thanks for the help!!

David Caudill

[Brooks G.]

Re: 1961 Leaf Springs

David, I am currently working on the chassis of my '56. I removed the original leaf springs which were not rusted but needed to be restored. The rear shocks had helper springs on them which made me believe that the rear body probably sagged. With the recommendation of members of this forum, I called Eaton Spring Co. in Detroit, MI and talked to them about restoring my springs. They wanted $250 per side to restore the springs plus I would have to arrange to have a leaf spring rebuild kit sent from Corvette Central or Paragon which was about another $150. I had a real problem, however, when they said that they would not guarantee their work and the process (shot peen, re-arc, and re-heat treat) might make the sagging worse. I ended up having the springs cleaned and repainted. I bought new liners, bolts, and retainers from Corvette Central as Paragon was out of stock and was trying to find another vendor. Replacing the retainers is another story. You might check the archives. Take good pictures so you will have a good reference when you put them back together. I guess I have said enough for now. Good luck on your restoration! I also wish all the best to you and yours to have a Happy Holiday Season. Brooks Glover (2141)

[David C.]

Re: 1961 Leaf Springs

Brooks,

Thanks for the help. The only good lead that I have is Grossmuellers Corvette. They gave me an over the phone estimate of $400 to have them restored. My concern is that these are originals and some of the people I have talked to said that there was a good chance that they would snap when re arched.

I will keep looking.

Thanks!

David C.

[Brooks G.]

Re: 1961 Leaf Springs

David, I seriously doubt that the springs would break after being re-heat treated if done properly. In my case I was concerned about the sagging of the body in the rear due to the springs. I could not justify spending $500 plus parts and still have the problem. In my case I have decided to use air shocks if needed to get the proper ride height. I try to do the best I can and then compromise if I have to. I would rather have proper function than to have it look correct and not function properly. Brooks Glover (2141)

[Dick W.]

Re: 1961 Leaf Springs

I have had many springs re-arched over the years with basically no problems. If the springs are properly heat treated and quenched there should be no problems

[Michael B.]

Re: 1961 Leaf Springs

I researched this extensively five years ago when I was restoring my 1961 Corvette. One of our Michigan Chapter members was the Corvette rear spring design engineer and he visited Eaton Detroit Spring with me. His opinion is that Eaton Detroit Spring duplicates the original rear spring processes. On that basis and also on my opinion, as a GM suspension design engineer, this was the way to go. Earlier in the restoration process I had discovered that my LH main leaf had broken in half at the center bolt hole due to improper positioning of the main leaf relative the axle bracket (at the GM St. Louis Assy Plant) which resulted in the leaf spring center bolt contacting the axle bracket instead of going inside the hole in the axle bracket. This caused the center area of the main leaf to see excessive stress because the U bolts had not clamped the leaf spring properly to the axle brkt and, as a result, the main leaf saw bending stress at the center of the leaf which caused fracturing right through the center bolt hole. I was able to find an original main leaf at Corvettes at Carlisle (Grossmueller) so I took that leaf along with my other leafs to Eaton Detroit Spring. The did a terrific job on the leafs and then I used DP90 to coat each leaf along with an enamel top coat. Then I used Corvette Central liner and clip package to assemble the leaf springs. I have had the springs on the car since 2006 and am very satisfied with the trim height. Eaton Detroit Spring makes production springs and their spring rebuilding process duplicates the same processes to heat treat and shot peen the leafs to result in correct camber for each leaf and includes the all important shot peening process to improve fatigue life, just like the process used in every leaf spring and most stabilizer bar and coil spring today.