Differential and new leaf spring's installed

Russ69Runner · Sep 7, 2019

It was a challenge but got the differential in to day. Along with the new leaf spring's. Used wood block's in stretching the new springs in place to hook up the shackles. The springs are two and half inch recurve extra over the old springs so you can see the extra lift from them with out air shock's. Have my test tires and rim's on till I get some cragars on it. Put white grease on the wood block's so the spring's would slide.

dmartin · Sep 7, 2019

You getting there Russ looks good are you going to use a steel or a aluminum drive shaft

Russ69Runner · Sep 7, 2019

Going to use the one that came with the car. Steel. Got to save some money some where. Was mad that the shackle's had rust on them straight out of the box cleaned them and cleared them but it came right back. Oh well will swap them at a later date. Thanks Dmartin.

69hemibeep · Sep 8, 2019

I know you have extra arch in the springs but they look to short. The shakles wont do there job until they lean the other way. I know you have more weight to add but that don't look good

Russ69Runner · Sep 8, 2019

I agree with you Bob. I pulled down on the back while under their and the shackle moved to the rear. Figured once the car is loaded with door's and trans mission and all the glass and every thing else they should be fine. General spring told me these where the rite ones. I called. Figured after some time on them they will get broke in. Russ.

taguy16 · Dec 31, 2019

69hemibeep said:
I know you have extra arch in the springs but they look to short. The shakles wont do there job until they lean the other way. I know you have more weight to add but that don't look good

That's what I was thinking, too.

My experience with new leaf springs is they always make the vehicle sit too high. They say they'll settle and bring the car down to the right height, but I put new leaf springs on my Firebird over 15 years ago and am still waiting for them to settle. I need to take them into the spring shop once and have them de-arched a bit. On my Road Runner I just decided to stick with the original springs - which seem to be in good shape otherwise - rather than mess with putting new ones on and then having to take them off and pay an extra $100 to have them de-arched. This car has enough challenges without making another one of the suspension.

Russ69Runner · Jan 1, 2020

They might not look good but can say that I have seen other pic's of shackles at the same set up I have. Still like it and they do seem to work fine if you pull down on the car from underneath. I only weigh 168 and on exert about maybe 20 lb. of pressure pulling down. Loaded trunk plus a full tank of gas should even it out some. Will see. It may ride like a Mack truck but hope not. Russ.

Rich B · Jan 2, 2020

Darn, and we’d jack up the solid axles with after market leaf spring lift kits, nickel plated no less. Must apologize to Russ also as I seem to post many times right after he does, seems just times we’re on and off forums. Seems though traction bars would work excellent with those; had the only Li’l Red I ever saw with them...

Russ69Runner · Jan 2, 2020

Maybe a set of traction bar's latter. More interested in putting in a sway bar set up first. :thumbsup2:

Differential and new leaf spring's installed

Russ69Runner

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dmartin

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Russ69Runner

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69hemibeep

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Russ69Runner

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taguy16

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Russ69Runner

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Rich B

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Russ69Runner

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