69 Camaro Multi-leaf lowering

[bdoobie69]

Hey guys. I need to lower the rear of my 69 about 2in. I have the option to just block it and be done but I don't know if I like the idea of a 2in. lowering block. Has anyone ever removed the 5th leaf from multi-leafs? How much would this lower it? What would you guys consider the best way to lower it?

[Mike72ss]

The "best" way to lower it is with lowering springs from DSE, Global West, Eaton Springs, Hotchkis and others. You could also had them dearched at a spring shop. Lowering blocks over 1" is not recommended.

Mike

[bdoobie69]

Has anyone removed a leaf from their multi-leafs to lower their car?

[MrQuick]

I had removed a few leafs before but that would not lower it much, the main tension is from the larger main spring (idea to reduse #'s to sag spring causing rear to lower).And removing the smalller ones might drop you about 1/2"?? how about removing them and installing them in between the axle housing and spring...move them to the top? Then add a 1" block. You can raise the spring hole in the front perch 3/4" too?

[Todds69]

I just took mine into a spring shop and had them dearched. I think it was $60-80.

[bdoobie69]

a lot of people seem to be de-arcing the springs. Is it pretty accurate when it is done or is it guess and test for the amount of drop?

[CAMAROBOY69]

DE-arch. Thats exactly what I did and I am very happy. Then wait a few weeks after that because it will settle another 1/2 inch or so.

[bdoobie69]

Camaroboy, where in michigan did you go to get this done? Did you have to take the leafs off the car to do it?

[CAMAROBOY69]

I live in Muskegon. There is a place called "Muskegon Brake" and I took my leafs out and brought it to them. The nice thing is if you dont get it perfect the first time, they will do it for you again for free until its perfect. Great place. :icon996:
You should be able to get any suspension place to do it for you.

[JNOBLE]

AB spring in grand rapids 616-534-3399 They will dearch yours for $50-$80 or custom make rear leafs for around $150-$200

[bdoobie69]

Well, I took my leafs off this weekend and I am taking them over to Muskegon Brake to get de-arched. I will let you all know how it goes when I get them back on.

[bdoobie69]

Ok, here are the results. It cost me 80 dollars to de-arch. I am really pleased with the results. I also relocated my shocks.

[CAMAROBOY69]

Nice job and im glad it worked out for you. Keep in mind it should settle anywhere between 50-100 miles. Mabey less depending on your roads.

[bdoobie69]

Thanks for the help!

[bdoobie69]

Hey guys, here is the overall result of my car after cutting my coils in the front and de-arching the rear. Can't wait for my new rims to come.

[CAMAROBOY69]

Looks great. What size and style wheels are you going with? Make sure to update this thread when you have them installed.

[bdoobie69]

I am going with eagle alloys series 211. They are 17 x 9.5 with a 275/40 for the rear and a 17 x 8 with a 245/45 for the fronts. 5.5" backspacing on the rear and 5" on the front. Camaroboy, did you have to do any modifications to your sway bar in the front after you cut your coils? Mine seems to be binding.

[CAMAROBOY69]

Those wheels will be nice. They look like a combination of Cragars or the Torque Thrusts. 245 will be very close up front but should be a realy nice fit. The 275 on the rear will also be an excellent fit. You might have to roll the fender lips in the rear but that is very easy.
No I did not do any modifying to the front sway bar but I will eventually. The ends of my sway bar are angled up about an inch or 2 higher than they are supposed to be. I can simply modify the link ends and make them shorter. That should level out the sway bar. If I remember correctly, the end of the sway bar should be parallel to the floor. I also would like to get a new sway bar some time anyway but the stock one is ok for now since im not thrashing the heck out of the car on a track yet.

[bdoobie69]

Thanks for the help Adam. I actually had to roll my rear fender lips already. I am running 275/50 in the rear right now. They were a little too close. I will get you guys a pic when the new rims come in.

[bdoobie69]

Well I got my front rims on. I really like how they look. I can't wait to get the rears in.

[CAMAROBOY69]

Looks awesome! Perfect stance so far too. Amazing what a nice set of wheels will do. :cool:

[crazyfireman]

How did you "roll the rear fenders? I need to do the same, but I have the chrome fender piece will it mess that up? Thanks

[bdoobie69]

I actually have that chrome piece as well. I believe there is a proper tool to roll the fender lip. It may sound a little harsh but I used a chunk of 2 X 2 and a mallet. If you take your time with it you can get it to roll pretty nicely.

[CAMAROBOY69]

How did you "roll the rear fenders? I need to do the same, but I have the chrome fender piece will it mess that up? Thanks
Im not sure where the thread is but there was one loaded with ideas for rolling rear lips. One guy put different size sockes on a ratched and rolled them between the tire and the lip. eventually keep increasing socket sizes.
Or the other alternative that was mentioned was a baseball bat. :lmao:

[vanzuuk1]

I have not done it yet but the trick is to cut a line in the paint 1/8 inch from outside of the lip, it keeps the paint from cracking where you can see it. Probably a warm day would help, as far as the paint goes.

I have to roll the lip on my car I am just putting it off.

[CAMAROBOY69]

Its not necessary to cut the lip at all.

[diffdude]

On my car i put landrum springs 21-340SPA with a 1/2 inch block.
http://www.landrumspring.com/pages/mono.html.
With 275-40-17 rear . The springs are about 120.00 each.
They are already dearched.
Heres som old pics.
https://www.pro-touring.com/featured_cars/Camaro/1969_Camaro/Erik_Jorgensen_69_Camaro/erik_jorgensens_69_camaro.htm

[indyjps]

baseball bat works well, pick up a wooden junker so you can cut it off if you need a larger diameter, the wood seems to be more forgiving than aluminum also, stick the baseball bat in and roll the car back and forth. DONT SWING AWAY AT YOUR POUR WHEELWELLS

[crazyfireman]

I had 3 leaf springs on the rear, removed 2 and left the main one for a show. only came down 1/2 inch and felt squirrely. What exactly do they do when they rearch? I need that done, and I need to find a place to do it for me.

[CAMAROBOY69]

WHen they de-arch the leafs they generally put them in a huge press and take the "arch" out to any size you want. Take your leafs all the way out and bright them to a local suspension shop. Only costs about $60 and my suspension shop was nice enough to redo it the 2nd time for free until I dialed it in for the perfect stance. It will settle about 1/2" -3/4" after installed. So my suggestion is have them de-arched a little higher than you want. They will settle. Take the entire set of leaf springs to the shop. Or you could drive the car there and have them do it but it will cost more money.
You do NOT want to drive your car around on 1 leaf. But like you mentioned it was just for the show. If that one snaps you will be screwed.