[Trickpony4]

I am not sure how to post this in the right area. I replaced the original rear springs on my '69, because the rear eye of the spring would hit the frame rail if I ran over any kind of bump at all. With a tank of gas, and a passenger in the car with me, they eye would rub a little on the frame rail.

So, in trying to remedy that, I purchased a set of OE looking 5 leaf springs from D&R last November. I finally got around to installing these springs a couple of weeks ago.

My problem is now worse! The sound is embarrassing if there is a passenger in the car with me. It's much better without the other 150 lbs in the passenger seat, so this is a sensitive weight issue too.

These springs are manufactured by Camaro Specialties in New York. Since it's past 30 days since I purchased these springs, no one wants to do anything much.

If you understand the problem I am describing, have any of you heard of this before? Did I happen to get a weak set of new springs? When the spring is standing in the floor, it measures 9 3/8's of an inch between the floor and the top of the spring, right at the center bolt. The shackles are stock, and all the bushings are new.

Thanks,
Chris

[TJS69]

Have you replaced the shocks ? What kind are they ?

[Trickpony4]

The shocks are somewhat recent AC Delco shocks.

[X-77 keith]

Did you replace the framerail bushing for the shackel? I think you said you did, but sounds like a bushing problem, or wrong shackel. The springs are to be tightened with the weight of the car on them, is that how you did yours? Is it possiable that your framerails are wallard out? Just thinking. Have had eighteen Camaro's and never this problem.

[Trickpony4]

Yes sir, the shackle bushings are new, (Moog), the shackles are correct for the car. They have an S stamped on them. The frame rail holes are round. This car looks like a two or three year old car underneath. I think there is a problem with the springs. The problem is worse now, than when the car had the 44 year old springs in place, and the bushings were worn out. As you know, when the weight of the car is on the springs, that shackle is tilted farther back towards the frame rail. I still tightened them after I had the weight on the springs.

[SS68]

Sounds almost like the leafs are too long. Have you measured them against the originals? I had a 69 years back that had a knocking noise when carrying a full tank of gasoline. The problem I found was the U-bolts on one side were loose causing the spring to, sorta float I guess and wore the upper bushing out.

[Everett#2390]

As the car sits normally with a full tank of fuel, the shackles should be at a right angle to the frame member.
If the shackles are angled to the rear, and the car sits relatively level - rocker panel almost parallel to the floor/ground, then spring is too long.
If car sits nose up excessively, then not enough arch in spring.

You have measured the new spring free standing height, as asked, have you measured the old spring? Compared the rest of the old spring to the new spring?

[Fred Ficarra]

Pictures!

[Trickpony4]

When I took the old original springs out and stood them beside the new ones, the arch, and everything pretty much matched up. Maybe that should have been my first clue, but figured the new springs would be stronger. As soon as the car is jacked up, under the differential, those shackles are swaying towards the rear. The length from the center bolt to the center of the rear eye is 31 inches. That is the same dimension that most springs I see for sale. Pictures? I don't know what pictures I could take and post that would help anyone to see why the rear eye is up against the frame rail.

[Fred Ficarra]

Chris, I went out and measured. Yep, about 31" eye-center to locating bolt.
So,,,,,, new correct springs, new bushings,,,,,, what else is there but the shackles? Would you crawl under there and get the center to center dimension?

[BobKovacs]

Are you getting marks on the spring eye or frame rail to confirm where it's rubbing? Seems really odd that you're having that issue. What's the distance between the top of the spring eye and the underside of the frame rail when the car is resting on the ground?

[icpop]

Could it be the front spring mount where it is secured by the ever troublesome j clip nuts maybe something is up there.

[Trickpony4]

Maybe 1/4 inch or so? Hard to measure, but really close.

[Trickpony4]

Originally Posted by BobKovacs

Are you getting marks on the spring eye or frame rail to confirm where it's rubbing? Seems really odd that you're having that issue. What's the distance between the top of the spring eye and the underside of the frame rail when the car is resting on the ground?

Yes, it's evident where it's rubbing/hitting

[Trickpony4]

The shackles have an "S" on them and bolts are the right length, size etc. All the original stuff. The shackles are about 5 1/4" long, and the holes are 3 1/8" center to center.