Are Spring Pads A Must?

[MAGONSTERZ68]

my hotchkis 3" drop rear leaf spring pack sits about a 1/2" too low. I took a look at the install and i added the upper and lower spring pads as instructed but noticed the upper spring pad is approx 3/8" in thick when compressed. Would it be ok if i pulled the spring pad to try and get a 1/2" static lift in the rear? Or should i just pull spring pack and have re-arched to 2" drop? pros vs cons? thx

[ctcz28]

I do not think you need the pads, you'll have a more rigid connection without them. I removed mine long ago when I had to install shims to adjust pinion angle and notice no adverse effects. At a minimum, pull them and check the ride height before incurring the cost of re-arching the springs.

[stab6902]

I also removed the spring pads and I haven't had any issues.

[68Formula]

I'm running 1" aluminum blocks with no spring pads.

[Kenova]

I removed the pads in my Nova. It was originally mono-leaf and I swapped to multi leaf. I had to drill a divot in the spring bracket on the axle housing to accommodate the bolt that holds the spring pack together (it's an 8.2" ten bolt).
Other than that I haven't had any problems.

Ken

[MAGONSTERZ68]

thanks all gunna pull the pads this weekend, set it down, loosen the rear shackles, bounce it a bit and re-snug and see what it does.
has any one cut down the rubber snubbers to gain a little more travel before bottoming out? or maybe even a progressive pillow style snubber?