[njsteve]

The new leaf springs arrived today. Dayton Spring 80-335 was on back order all over the country (this is the 1970-81 Trans Am specific leaf spring with 4 leaves). I was able to order them through Stengel Brothers Spring in Pennsylvania. They had them on sale for $104 per side. Rock Auto just got some in and they show $145.79 each plus shipping. I was able to pick up my springs directly at Stengel Brothers and save the shipping costs. I bought this same set five years ago for my 1972 black Formula and the car sat nicely with them.

http://www.stengelbros.net/80-335-Po...y-_p_2927.html

Now I can replace the old, worn out 5-leaf set up in the car that had too tall of a stack for the perches on the 1980 T/A rear. The lower shock mounting plate got all bent out of shape from being tightened around the 5 leaves. Luckily I was able to use my hydraulic press and get them flat again.

[Formulabruce]

Originally Posted by njsteve

The new leaf springs arrived today. Dayton Spring 80-335 was on back order all over the country (this is the 1970-81 Trans Am specific leaf spring with 4 leaves). I was able to order them through Stengel Brothers Spring in Pennsylvania. They had them on sale for $104 per side. Rock Auto just got some in and they show $145.79 each plus shipping. I was able to pick up my springs directly at Stengel Brothers and save the shipping costs. I bought this same set five years ago for my 1972 black Formula and the car sat nicely with them.

http://www.stengelbros.net/80-335-Po...y-_p_2927.html

Now I can replace the old, worn out 5-leaf set up in the car that had too tall of a stack for the perches on the 1980 T/A rear. The lower shock mounting plate got all bent out of shape from being tightened around the 5 leaves. Luckily I was able to use my hydraulic press and get them flat again.

Whats the rate on those springs? 126?
Why did that 1980 rear have 5 leafs in it?
I have seen that plate bent many times due to the generic 5 leafs stuffed in and Impact gun bends a 'U" in the plate. aftermarket rubbers can cause that same u as well. I always end up grinding them to get the right fit. Thanks, Bruce

[njsteve]

The original 5 leaf, springs were from the 1975, 2.56 rear that the car came with originally. The 1980 rear came from an 80 T/A. I was thinking that the spring perches were taller on the 2.56 rear to accommodate the taller spring pack?

[njsteve]

Yes the new springs are 126 lb rated with a much lower arch than the five leaf setup.

[Formulabruce]

Originally Posted by njsteve

The original 5 leaf, springs were from the 1975, 2.56 rear that the car came with originally. The 1980 rear came from an 80 T/A. I was thinking that the spring perches were taller on the 2.56 rear to accommodate the taller spring pack?

I have never seen a 75 bird with 5 leafs, BUT ALL the Camaros except the Z had 5 leafs. thats the big difference between the rears, as you said taller perches.
I have a 1980 WS-6 rear in one of my cars, and its a 4 leaf perch. Just checked a '79 I have, 4 leaf.
2.56 with 5 leafs in '75. I would have never guessed Interesting!

[njsteve]

Remember it was a 350 Esprit with base suspension, not a Formula.

[johnta1]

Bulletin on 78 leaf springs, having 5 or 6 leafs

1978 Leaf Springs bulletin

[njsteve]

Interesting chart. Gramma's car had "PC" listed on the broadcast for rear springs (right and left). Chart shows that as 5 leaf, 97 lb rate, part number 480880.