EATON Detroit Spring

The leading manufacturer of leaf and coil springs for the street rod and restoration automotive industries

We Help Maintain American Icons by Manufacturing Leaf and Coil Springs Right Here in America

Phone: 1 (313) 963-3839
Fax: 1 (313) 963-7047

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      We have been manufacturing springs for American vehicles for over 80 years. Our process and expertise has been continuously refined and improved over the century and our Spring Tech section reflects some of that specialty knowledge.

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MENUMENU
  • Home
  • Products
    • Suspension Parts
      • Leaf Springs
      • Coil Springs
      • Shocks
      • Attaching Parts And Hardware
      • Installation Kits
      • Leaf Spring Shackle Replacement Kits & Parts
    • Street Rod Suspension Parts
      • Mustang II Front End Springs
      • 48 Inch Truck Springs
    • Allstate - Chrysler
      • Allstate
      • American Motors
      • Bricklin
      • Buick
      • Cadillac
      • Chevrolet
      • Chevrolet Truck
      • Chrysler
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      • Daimler
      • DeSoto
      • Dodge
      • Dodge Truck
      • Edsel
      • Ford
      • Ford Truck
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      • GMC
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      • Hudson
      • Hudson Truck
      • Hummer
      • International
      • Jeep
    • Kaiser Darrin - Nissan
      • Kaiser Darrin
      • Kaiser-Frazer
      • LaSalle
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      • MAHINDRA
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      • MG
      • Nash
      • Nissan
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      • Plymouth Truck
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      • Rambler
    • Sterling - Willys
      • Sterling
      • Studebaker
      • Studebaker Truck
      • Toyota
      • Willys
    • Request A Custom Quote
    • Search For Parts Here
  • Spring Tech
    • Learn About Leaf & Coil Springs
      • Spring Tech Articles
      • Tech Questions
      • Spring Tech Videos
      • Featured Elsewhere
      • EATON Detroit Spring Podcast
      • Buy Ford Manuals
    • Spring Tech 101

      We have been manufacturing springs for American vehicles for over 80 years. Our process and expertise has been continuously refined and improved over the century and our Spring Tech section reflects some of that specialty knowledge.

      Browse our many articles, watch videos produced in partnership with AutoRestoMod, and learn all about your spring suspension here.

    • Browse By Topic
      • Leaf Springs
      • Coil Springs
      • Attaching Parts
      • Ride Height & Stance
      • Ride Quality
      • Manufacturing Springs
      • Replacing Springs
      • Modifying Springs
      • Ordering Springs
  • About Us
    • About EATON Detroit Spring
    • Customer Showcase
    • Send Us Photos Of Your Ride!
    • Free Stuff For Car Shows!
    • Facebook
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      • Spring Tech Videos
  • Order Here
    • Lookup & Purchase Your Vehicle's Parts
    • Request A Quote
    • Email Our Sales Team
    • Dealer Information
  • Find Parts That Fit Your Vehicle
  • Click to Call Now: 1 (313) 963-3839

Stiff Ride

Hi Mike,

I have a 1965 Chevy Impala convertible that I am trying to find front & rear springs for.

I purchased a set of springs that (with the help of all the other stuff) make the car ride like a lumber wagon, I have been told that the front spring rate is 403.9 and the rear is 243.

The front has no travel at all and seems much to heavy, the car also sits high in the front but OK in the rear.

My car has the following; The car was originally a 283, power glide, air car, power steering, manual brakes. It now is a 502 Ram Jet, 700R4 auto, with vintage air, 4 wheel disc power brakes, griffin aluminum radiator & electric fan.

I am sure this has changed the front weight substantially. Urethane bushings for the body mounts, all suspensions bushings, the sway bar bushings and shock bushings. The suspension is stock original stuff, upper, lower control arms etc. KYB gas charged shocks, front & rear 1 1/8″ front sway bar, it originally was a 11/16″ bar 1″ rear sway bar, it originally had no bar 17″ Nitto NT450 tires, 255/50 front, 275/50 rear on American wheels I would like to have a firm but comfortable ride, a stock to slightly lower maybe 1″) height.

I know the ride is a subjective thing, but if it were of a stock feel that would be OK. I can weigh the car if necessary, getting a front wheel, rear wheel & total weight. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Dean

Dean,

Sorry for the long delay is responding to your email. I was luckily (?) and was on vacation in an area that had real spotty cell phone service and no email. I am in town just long enough to pack my belongings and go back. OH, I was just told I can’t leave anymore. Oh well. OK, your ride, sounds sweet. Now lets make it sweeter.

The 502 weighs the same as all big blocks, but the other changes made in the front, stock ac out, Griffin radiator, etc has probably brought you back closer to small block weight.

The big block front springs have a rate of 403 lbs which is what you say you have.

The KYB gas shocks and the bigger sway bar and urethane bushings are not helping the front suspension. Gas shocks require more force (weight) to compress than the old reliable hydraulic shocks. When this additional force is added to the springs the ride becomes stiffer. Carrera still offer a limited line of gas shocks, but not for your ride. Both QA1 and Edelbrock shocks are gas but they have a much lighter charge than anyone else’s and provide a very nice ride. Plus the QA1 offer a 12 way or for the real techno owners, 576 way adjustability. While the Edelbrock’s adjust automatically.

Just replacing the old rubber sway bar bushings with urethane is equal to increasing the bar size, but when doing both the bar size upgrade and going with urethane bushings you may have reached the overkill zone. And unless you want to feel the mint mark on a dime, keep the rest of the suspension bushings rubber.

Now let’s get you riding better. First, change the front springs back to small block springs, this will soften the ride plus get you down about 1.1 Inches.

Change the shocks to QA1 or Edelbrock’s and go back to rubber sway bar bushings. The rear springs sound fine and you are happy with it, so leave it alone.

We do not carry swaybar bushings but they should be available at your local autoparts store.

-Mike

Filed Under: Tech Question Tagged With: Ride Quality, Shocks

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OEM Replacement & Custom Springs

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Phone: 1 (313) 963-3839
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