Leaf Spring Blues.

[69protour]

I've got a set of Eaton 2" drop multi-leafs in my 69 Camaro, They worked perfectly. Well, with my engine combo, 383 with around 500HP and no traction bars or cal-tracs, I think I've bent them, which in turn changed my pinion angle and I got a terrible vibration. I put 4 degree wedges in temporarily and it helped a bunch. So now I'm wondering what springs are available to use without having to put slapper bars or cal-tracs on? I've looked into GW springs and they sound great for my application, I also called Eaton and they said they build kind of the same spring. So any additional info would be great. Thanks guys... Trond

[dhardison]

In the past I've used Landrum spring with good results. They make leaf springs specific for drag racing, both multi-leaf as well as parabolic monos.

http://www.landrumspring.com

[TitoJones]

I would try either the L2-CAT5 Global West springs or the new Hyperco composites.

Tyler

[69protour]

I'm primarily driving this on the street. But when I get on it, I don't want what has already happened happen again. I do want to take it to the strip and run it a few times. We do cruise it around quite a bit, so I want a decent ride. I looked at the l-2's and they look like they should work for my car. I'll check out Landrum's and see what they say. Thanks guys...

[nicks67camaro]

I own a set of the L2's One thing I ran into with them is the forward leaf spring mount wouldn't accomodate my CE slide a link traction bars. I had to cut the traction bar mount where the front of the leaf and the end of the traction bar meet and reweld it to clear the leaf spring design. Its works great!

[69protour]

My car sit's so low I don't think I can fit a set of slide a links or cal-tracks or even traction bars on the car? I'm wondering if the L-2's or the Landrums or the Hyperco's will be able to handle the torque and hp of the motor without any traction devices?

[David Pozzi]

The Cat5 springs will work with no add on devices. They are approx 240 lbs/inch rate, -very stiff.
Many dropped leaf springs mess up the pinion angle due to the change in the arch.
David

[nicks67camaro]

My car sit's so low I don't think I can fit a set of slide a links or cal-tracks or even traction bars on the car?

My car almost never bottoms out. If it does the traction bars are very tough I've removed the tops of speed bumps with my tration bars. If you look at my profile picture of my car you can see a side shot and just in front of the rear tire you can see the traction bar. If you want to go this route I'll get a close up picture and post it.

[CarlC]

How does a fairly new Eaton spring on street tires get bent?

[69protour]

That's exactly what I thought Carl! I called the guy that built my rearend and the first couple things he asked is if I had any traction bars or slide a link or cal-traks, something that will control axle wrap? Then he asked if I had dropped springs. He said with that much torque and hp along with the 2" dropped springs, and lots of hard launches on the street..... not street racing, just having fun, with Nitto 275's and a 3.90 gear,he said it could easily bend those springs... I know, I never thought that would happen. That would of not been good to have some drag radials on and really hook up and start busting them, that would pretty much suck. So I think I'll rethink things and try to greatly improve my suspension. Maybe some Cal-Tracs.......

[zman1969]

make sure the axle tubes havent twisted loose in the pumpkin or "chunk" or "chuck" - dont know where those terms come from - must be a yankee thing

[6'9"Witha69]

make sure the axle tubes havent twisted loose in the pumpkin or "chunk" or "chuck" - dont know where those terms come from - must be a yankee thing

That would be my first guess, not that the springs bent. I have never even seen stock multileafs bend like what you describe, never mind needing a 4* adjustment to pinion angle.

[CarlC]

4* angle change, yes. Bent leafs (assuming they were correct to begin with) ???????????

My Guldstrand springs required that much to get the pinion angle correct, and the current Flex-A-Form springs required a few as well. I think this is quite common in aftermarket, high-performance springs for first-gen cars.

[69protour]

I put a 9" Ford under it with new tubes welded in, I would'nt think they would twist??? I do know that when you look at my springs right behind the front eye, they have a reverse arch now... they are arching up. Carl, with your springs, do you have any traction bars or Cal-tracs, or CE slide a links? I've talked to Kevin at GW and they are coming out with the L-2's with a 2" drop. I'm on the list to get a set when they are ready..They should work very well. Thanks guys.. Trond

[CarlC]

Nope.

[wendell]

I'd also look beyond "bent leaf springs". 5XX horse on 9.5" road race slicks hasn't bent a set of 210#/" springs made up of stock GM leafs yet. They even survived our "violent brake hop" phase. Given the nature of spring steel, I'd expect a broken leaf before a bent one.