Spring rate of 9-leaf rear spring?

[Michael F.]

Re: Spring rate of 9-leaf rear spring?

All I can say is that a local shop is using lots of long bolt kits due to the problems, these are mostly C3 cars but the basics are pretty much the same, including the loaded vehicle weight.

I think they are using long bolts to make the install easy. Or they don't know what they are doing.

I have had 3 different rear leafs. One from India (Ecklers) 2 from Eaton. They all connected properly and easily with the factory standard length bolt kit.

Eatons ride height was right on the money front and rear. I even added and inch to my 7 leaf to match the non F40 ride height. Came out perfect.

[Gary B.]

Re: Spring rate of 9-leaf rear spring?

Then GM did NOT offer a dual or progressive rate rear leaf spring?

Michael,

The Corvette 9-leaf spring used from 1964 thru 1974 was indeed a two-stage spring. The GM/AMA specs for the 9-leaf spring GM #3850839 is the following:

140 lb/in @ design load of 1360 lb w/ camber = 0.352"
196 lb/in @ design load of 1965 lb w/ camber = -3.952"

Gary