[FrankieT/A]

I know for a fact the spring rates on WS6 packages are different than non WS6. But every time I look at new springs they group 70-81 all together then break them down as to heavy duty and regular duty.
Has anybody run into this? And what did you do about it?

Bottom line is I'm looking for WS6 leaf springs. New springs are reasonably priced but what are you actually getting?

[2manyT/A'S]

MOST new replacement springs are of a higher rate than OEM ones & will provide a 4WD ride height when installed.....

If your stock ones aren't sagged out / broken & have an acceptable ride height,just keep them.

[bonneville Joe]

x2

I've had several F and A body cars come through the shop that had "stock" replacement springs installed and the car sat like a S-10 pickup. One '66 GTO was so bad that it wouldn't line up.

[FrankieT/A]

My problem is I broke one. Through this forum I was able to find some replacements for a WS6. I'm looking for the safe bet. I really don't want to go through the expense and labor to find out I don't like the ride height or handling and have to ship them back. Let's face it rear leafs are not terribly expensive but the shipping compared to price is a lot....so with that being said by the time I pay for shipping plus shipping back I might as well keep them. I would never try to off something on someone else, storage is problem for me so I would end up throwing them out or give them away. I know the WS6 is exactly what I need. I'd rather have new of course, I just don't have time and money for trial and error.
Frank

[autobahn]

I got my replacement springs from Eaton,My TA had 40k on it,I replaced all 4 and ended up with all ride heights ended up within 1/8" of original

[2manyT/A'S]

You got lucky!

Only 40 K on your originals?

Why did you pitch them?

[FrankieT/A]

Ride height is only part of the equation. Spring rate and handling are the other part.

[jarretts70]

Don't know if this will help, but...

My 78 T/A also needs new leafs; the origianls are rusted & broken beyond repair. The car came with a set of replacements that use 5 leafs - the originals use 4. The fifth leaf is thicker than the rest; I guess that's what makes them "heavy duty". I assumed they'd make the car too high in the rear, so I talked to the local F-body supply guru about options. He told me to save my money; by removing the extra "thick" leaf, these springs should be close to stock height. Seeing as I alredy have the springs, I'm going to give it a try.

I'd love to tell you if it works or not, but my T/A is mid-resto and at the rate I'm going won't be done for a while...But it might be worth it to see if you can find HD replacements locally & find out how many leaves they use.

[rockin78T/A]

I ran into the same problem, I bought my set from Ames years ago. The back sits a little high, but thats ok. The front how ever is like the above mentioned, sits like a truck. Only hopes of me ever lowering the front, would be to cut at least one coil off. I've got at least 4 inches between the tire and the fender. Should of kept the old springs, currently I need to locate a car in the junkyard with originals, but if you've been to any junkyard in the last 10 years, they start with cars from 95 up.

[FrankieT/A]

Jerrett
We're the replacements aftermarket or stock from a different car? If they're aftermarket then there is no tellin'. If they were original equipment from another car the ride height will be right. From what I've read, 5 leafs are low performance and 4 leafs were high performance which is counter intuitive. But, that's where spring rate comes into play.

[jarretts70]

Frankie, the replacements are aftermarket. They are old stock that were made in Canada by a company called McCoy Brothers Spring. I don't know if they still make F-body springs (or if the company even exists anymore). Because they are aftermarket, the whole issue of number of leaves vs. spring rate gets thrown out the window.

As far as ride height, I'm strictly going by advice from a few F-body guys I spoke to in my area; they are older guys who have experience with these springs from back in the day when there were still lots of 2nd gens on the road. They all told me the same thing - pull the 5th "thick" leaf out, and I should get a ride height close to stock. I was reminded the jacked up look was all the rage in the 80's when these replacements were made, hence the extra leaf. I should have known - the 79 Formula I had back in about 1987 had coil over shocks on it to get the back end up a bit, plus 50 series rubber on the back, and everyone thought it was cool....Like I said, I have them, so it's worth a try.

[jonmachota78]

I like the hotchkis springs i put on mine last year. Jon

[FrankieT/A]

Jon, what's your ride height like?

[jonmachota78]

I think its perfect. Hotchkis makes two different springs for the 75-81 ta. They're advertised as lowering 1.5" so i had to call them to find out the difference. Turns out one lowers more than the other. I was concerned about ground clearance so i got the ones that ride higher. Relatively speaking. They are stiffer and lower than the originals. Runs a 1.6 sec 60ft with no wheel hop cuz they're stiffer in front of the axle. I dont know how to describe ride hight other than to post a pic. I'll see if i can do than tomorrow. Typing this from my phone now. Ill has to get the puter going... Jon

[autobahn]

I do believe that Camaros had a higher spring rate with smaller sway bar ,where PMD engineers believed a lighter spring rate with a bigger sway bar was the way to go ,and is why in 78 handled better than their Vettes

[jonmachota78]

These are the Hotchkis 2408C springs with 275/60/15 bf radial t/a's. This is after the springs were on the car for about 1 year. I like them alot. I think the ride height looks good with my 275/50/15 drag radials on as well. Jon

[bonneville Joe]

Summit lowering springs all the way around with a 1/2 coil cut from the fronts with KYB gas ajusts.

[rrroszko]

hey guys i am new to the forum, I recently purchased my friends 1975 fb formula 400. What is the factory ride height for a 1975 fb? the car came with a aftermarket suspension, but has not been installed.

Competition Engineering c2610 and Competition Engineering c2710.

Local laws state that the car has to be within 2 inches plus or minus of factory ride height.

any info?

[jonmachota78]

Hey, Joe. How tall are you rear tires? My are 28" tall, it looks like your car sits a little lower in back than mine. Jon