We all know the quickest and cheapest way to change the ride height of a leaf spring equipped vehicle is by using blocks between the axle and a spring. Heck, it can’t get any simpler. Remove the U-bolt, slip a block in, bolt her back up, and, wa-la, a new stance. But there’s a price […]
Ride Height & Stance Tech Articles, Videos, and More
Your vehicle's stance makes (or breaks) its look and performance. Make sure you get it right!
Below you'll find articles, videos, and tech questions provided to get your ride height where it needs to be. Need specific advice on your project? Ask us!
How Leaf Spring Lowering Blocks Cause Axle Wind Up
Lowering a leaf spring suspension should be done correctly to avoid handling issues. Here’s why lowering blocks aren’t the magic bullet. Last week, we explained how reversing leaf spring eyes can lower a vehicle. This week, we’ll explain how using lowering blocks is not a good way to lower or raise a vehicle. Where the […]
Measuring Ride Height Drop From Reversing Leaf Spring Eyes
Reversing your leaf spring eyes will provide a drop, but exactly how much of a drop? Here’s how to calculate ride height drop when you reverse your spring eyes. Ride Height Difference From Reversing One Leaf Spring Eye If you have one eye reversed, the drop will be one half of the diameter of the […]
The Difference Between Standard & Heavy Duty Springs
What is the difference between standard and heavy-duty springs? Quite simple! Heavy-duty springs are a bit stronger and will carry a heavier load than standard duty springs. A big misconception is that heavy-duty springs will set a vehicle higher. That is not true. Both standard duty and heavy duty springs will set a vehicle at […]
Do Lowered Cars Have Stiffer Rides?
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 […]
Why Unfinished Vehicles Tend To Sit Too High
Springs support weight, so if you measure the ride height of an unfinished vehicle, you won’t be measuring the final stance. You’ve just installed your new springs on your unfinished vehicle, and it sits too high. Keywords there were unfinished vehicle. Remember, springs support weight and all those things that have not been installed on […]
Measuring Ride Height – Don’t Use A Jack Stand
Mike Eaton explains why not to use a jack stand when measuring your ride height. The full weight of the completed vehicle, the wheels, and tires are all part of the equation.
Busting Suspension Myths Slideshow
Mike will be at the Kentucky Expo Center for the NSRA Street Rod Nationals this Thursday busting suspension myths to pieces. Preview his presentation below and be sure to catch it if you go!
Using Blocks To Adjust Ride Height
Has somebody suggested using blocks on your springs? Read this.
Cutting Coil Springs
Under certain circumstances, you can cut coil springs. Read on to find out how, why, and when to cut your coils.
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?
Camaro Wheels Rubbing Due To Sagging Springs
I heard that springs never wear out, but my Camaro is rubbing at the wheel wells.
How To Test Coil Spring Ride Height With Stock Springs
Will fresh factory coils or longer coils gain me some height?
New Mainplate Won’t Lower Your Vehicle
I bought a pair of cruddy leaf springs. What can you do to fix them?
Ride Height Difference
How do I know the springs I ordered will sit my car with the right stance?
Ride Height Problems
I put new shocks on my vehicle but it still isn’t at the right height. What am I missing?
How Much Will Springs Settle?
How much will springs settle shortly after installing? Learn how to judge your new spring installation by knowing exactly what to expect from a freshly manufactured set from EATON Springs.
Camaro Rear Height: Will New Springs Settle?
I ordered some springs but they don’t seem to be quite like the original. Why is this?
How Much Can Coils Lower My Resto-Mod, Should I Check The Alignment?
Mike, I have a ’55 Ford Fairlane Tudor Club Sedan that needs new front coil springs. I am going with a resto-mod approach. Better handling with a decent ride quality. The question I have is, can the front end be lowered by using shorter springs? Will this throw any alignment or other related issues off? […]
Lowering Mono Leafs
Mike, Good morning, I have a street rod shop and retail parts store. I am building a ’68 Camaro, and looking for a lowering mono leaf springs for the rear. Can you help? Thanks – Bruce Bruce, We sure can. We make F and X Body mono-leaf springs with up to a 3 Inch drop. […]
How Do Lowering Springs Affect Ride Quality?
Mike, I want to lower my ’54 Ford but still keep it riding good, can this be done? -Jerry Jerry, Whenever a vehicle is lowered, there is a reduction in the amount of suspension travel. Because of this, the spring rate (how much weight it takes to deflect a spring one inch) is increased. Suspension […]
How Much And When Do Coil Springs Settle? (Also, How To Choose The Right Mustang II Springs)
How much can one expect the springs to settle after installation?
Raising A 1966 GTO: Coil Springs Vs Air Shocks
Sir, I have a 1966 GTO with new coil springs installed; I have no idea what brand but the car appears to set to pretty much its stock height. I would like the car to sit a little higher in the rear verses the stock height. I thought about installing air shocks, but this car […]
How Are Ride Height Changes Calculated?
How do you measure ride height? What does plus/minus one inch actually mean?
Different Spring Rates Doesn’t Mean Different Ride Height
Mike, I have a 1966 Mustang Coupe with a 200ci engine and 3 speed manual transmission. Not a speed demon by any account. The rear end is sagging so I want to get a pair of leaf springs from Eaton. I’ve heard nothing but rave reviews from the Mustang forum I frequent. I’m undecided whether […]
Why Is My Car Sit Higher With New, Stock Ride Height Springs?
Q -I ordered a set of coil springs so my 1969 GTO would sit 1 Inch lower. But when I put them on the car sat higher than it did with the old springs. How come? Don – New York A – Don, Remember when you placed the order with Gary he said asked how […]
Should I Cut Coil Springs or Use Dropped Spindles?
Mike: Hope you can help. I am in the process of rebuilding the front end of my ’57 Chevy car. If I use 2″ lowering springs, can I use the same front shocks or do I need to get something else? Would it be better to install the 2″ lowering spindles instead of the springs? […]
Springs & Air Bags
Mike, I have a 1968 Camaro Hardtop that I want to lower 2 Inches in the rear. I have headers and dual exhaust, which sometimes scrape on the driveway, so I want to install air bags to lift it as required. My question is, how does this affect the suspension and spring rate? Can I […]
Shocks Raise Rear Of ’56 Bel-Air
Mike, I have a stock 1956 Belair which is sitting kind of low in the rear. I have installed new Load Leveler shocks that raised the rear a little, but I need to raise rear another 1-2 Inches. Can this be done with just adding a leaf? The original springs appear to be OK, she […]
Adding Leaves Vs Rearching or Replacing Leaf Spring
Mike, The car in question is a 1954 Studebaker Champion Regal 4-door, six cylinder 169 engine. I would like to raise the back of the car 1 to 2″, and I am considering adding a leaf on each side since I have to pull the rear springs off anyway for some work. – Ron Ron, […]
