Here, Mike explains why lowering your vehicle can cause a stiffer ride, how a vehicle can be lowered too much, and explains the safe threshold to lower your vehicle with new springs and minimal effect on ride quality. You’ve installed springs on your vehicle that will set it lower than stock ride height, and it […]
Modifying Springs: Tech Articles, Videos, and More
You like your springs, but perhaps they sit too high. What's the harm in cutting them to size? It depends.
Become a spring modification wizard and avoid disastrous pitfalls by reading through our tech articles and watching videos listed below.
The Danger of Improperly Chromed Springs
We get asked what our thoughts on chroming springs are often. We have to admit, a chrome spring looks real bitchin’, but it can be a disaster waiting to happen. An improperly chromed spring can lead to what is known as hydrogen embrittlement. Hydrogen embrittlement can cause a spring to shatter like a piece of […]
Cutting Coils Springs
Mike Eaton explains how to cut your coil springs for a desired ride height. Warning! Only Cut Springs With Tangential Ends Remember: only springs with a tangential end can be safely cut. Why’s that? Because square ends and pigtail ends are designed to make full contact with their mounting points and they would have to […]
How To Paint Leaf Springs
First step, make sure it’s done in a well-ventilated area. Hang the spring by one of its eyes. Start by wiping the spring with acetone to remove any contaminates: grease oil dirt etc. Use a good quality high-temperature engine paint, color of your choosing, and give the springs three, four, or five light coats of […]
When & Whether To Powdercoat, Chrome, or Paint Your Springs
What’s the best way to finish my springs: Powder coating, painting or chroming?
Never Weld Springs (Do This Instead)
Why shouldn’t you heat up springs? For safety’s sake.
Cutting Coil Springs
Under certain circumstances, you can cut coil springs. Read on to find out how, why, and when to cut your coils.
Removing Leaves Causes Handling Issues
Should I remove spring leaves to make my vehicle sit level?
Axle Pads and Converting to Multi Leaf Springs
Where should I put my axle pads?
How To Remove Bushings
I tried burning out my bushings and it didn’t seem to work. I didn’t ruin my springs did I? How should I continue?
Will Two Coil Spring Isolators Reduce Road Noise Further?
Is there an advantage to using coil spring isolators on the bottom as well as the top of springs?
Rearching C1 Corvette Springs
I have Corvette leaf springs with grooves. Can we restore them or should I have new ones fabricated?
Chromed Springs (A Disaster Waiting To Happen)
My chromed springs fatigued faster than grandma going up the stairs. Did chroming ruin my springs?
Reusing Old Leaves
Why are my springs sagging after the rebuild?
Stock Ride Height Is Too High, How Much Should I Cut My Front Springs?
Should I cut these coils, and how much should I cut them?
U-Bolt Welding
I understand welding springs is bad. What about the U-Bolts next to the spring?
Are Welded Coil Springs Salvageable In Any Way?
My vehicle had coil springs welded to the lower perch. What should I do?
Can I Use Rear Springs On The Front Of My Vehicle?
I installed rear springs at the front of my vehicle. It seems to be fine. Is there something I’m missing?
New Mainplate Won’t Lower Your Vehicle
I bought a pair of cruddy leaf springs. What can you do to fix them?
Never Weld To A Spring
Some guy said you can replace a U-Bolt by welding his product to the main plate of a spring. It seems like a bad idea. Is it?
Grease Between Leaves
Q – Mike: I really enjoyed the opportunity to talk with you during the Silver Springs car show this past weekend. I have also looked at several of your articles on your web site and found them to be very interesting and informative. I also appreciate the T-shirt offer regarding the a discussion we had […]
Greasing Leaf Springs
Mike, What effect does grease between the leaves of a pre-50 spring have please? Besides stopping them squeaking. Kind Regards, Mike Mike, If the springs are really pre-1950’s, the grease will help them slide against each other easier and help stop the squeaking. This means springs from the pre-1950’s, not a vehicle from pre-1950’s. Since […]
Reducing Inter-Leaf Friction: Leaf Lubricant or Leaf Liners & Tip Inserts?
Mike, I am overhauling a set of springs from a ’64 F250 that are in great shape. I’m getting a list together of hardware to order from you folks. I have read all your tips about coating/painting springs and not using grease between the leafs. My question is that I have heard some people recommend […]
Leaf Liners, Powder Coat & U-Bolt Torque
Mike, I wish I had read your tech page about two months ago. I just had my leaf springs powder coated and I’ve re-assembled the front springs with poly liners between the leafs. Am I correct in assuming that your advice for nothing to be between the springs also applies to these poly liners? If […]
Leaf Finish
Mike, Please can you inform what’s the best/correct finish for both the visible and invisible (IN THE STACK) parts of leaf springs? A couple of people I know insist on painting them totally including all in between the leafs, the normal for them bondaprimer / undercoat / enamel topcoat layers. (They do have to externally […]