I think I need new leaf springs

"My bird IS the word" (mybirdistheword) 10/12/2020 at 16:30 • Filed to: None

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So I think there is definetly something to be said about my exhaust hanging too low, but I’m pretty sure my rear leaf springs are shot.

Thats definitely higher in the front, and I dont think that is an optical illusion with the bodystyle either.

Now, mind you, I’m not an expert. But I am pretty sure these are not supposed to be separated like this

I think the main reason I didnt notice before is that the PO had “wedged” the car with taller rear tires than front. Am I nuts or are these toast?

The Snowman > My bird IS the word 10/12/2020 at 16:38

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Get drop spindles for the front and you are set.

My bird IS the word > The Snowman 10/12/2020 at 16:42

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That is terrible advice

flatisflat > My bird IS the word 10/12/2020 at 16:43

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I am the furthest from an expert on leaf springs....but I feel you are correct from what I’m seeing.

MoCamino > My bird IS the word 10/12/2020 at 16:48

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Like you, I am no expert.  But I’m pretty sure they’re supposed to be arched, not flat.  

Sovande > My bird IS the word 10/12/2020 at 16:48

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Get lowering leaf springs for the rear and drop spindles for the front and it would  look great.

I would replace the ones you currently have as they certainly look like they are sagging as compared to the front. Is any of the front suspension new? Are the front springs correct? 

The Snowman > My bird IS the word 10/12/2020 at 16:54

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Fine just cut the front springs like a true f-body owner.

WilliamsSW > My bird IS the word 10/12/2020 at 16:58

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What others said, that’s not what leaf springs should look like.  

lone_liberal > My bird IS the word 10/12/2020 at 16:59

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Eton makes springs that will go up to +3" (in one inch increments) in ride height if you decide to go that way.

ClassicDatsunDebate > My bird IS the word 10/12/2020 at 17:01

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They’re known to get a saggy bottom

My bird IS the word > Sovande 10/12/2020 at 17:05

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Suspension is all original, with the exception of some bushings it looks like. Im going to have to do the ball joints next year. Now Im wondering if I should do springs and shocks all around too.

Bandit > My bird IS the word 10/12/2020 at 17:06

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Free lowering kit! Chop those front springs and you’re good to go /s 

My bird IS the word > lone_liberal 10/12/2020 at 17:07

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Im fine with the factory ride height.

My bird IS the word > Bandit 10/12/2020 at 17:07

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I'm sure that will hold up in court.

lone_liberal > My bird IS the word 10/12/2020 at 17:08

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They got that too! I mention them just because the leaf springs I got from them were pretty high quality.

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > My bird IS the word 10/12/2020 at 17:23

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I wonder if the PO removed or modified t he shackles to lower rear in an attempt the level for the big tires?

Sovande > My bird IS the word 10/12/2020 at 18:30

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I would do it all. I'd bet the difference will be dramatic. 

Duck Duck Grey Duck FTMFW! > My bird IS the word 10/12/2020 at 19:05

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Shit, if it wasn't so inconvenient to go look at my 1980 Firebird I would go take photos for you of my exhaust so. I think it's similar to yours and I think my car doors lower than yours too.

just-a-scratch > My bird IS the word 10/12/2020 at 19:28

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Is that some Carolina squat, or is there no engine in front?

This is what we'll show whenever you publish anything on Kinja: > My bird IS the word 10/12/2020 at 19:46

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Just to confirm, after the bushing swap you did have the car sitting on it’s wheels before torquing everything down and not jacked up with the suspension unloaded , correct?

My bird IS the word > This is what we'll show whenever you publish anything on Kinja: 10/12/2020 at 20:08

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Its just some bushings in the front that look like they were changed in the last decade or two. I haven't changed anything besides.

My bird IS the word > Duck Duck Grey Duck FTMFW! 10/12/2020 at 20:09

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Its gotta be the car dragging ass

My bird IS the word > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 10/12/2020 at 20:09

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Think its the other way around.

My bird IS the word > just-a-scratch 10/12/2020 at 20:10

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I removed my big ass a/c condenser, but there is no way it was THAT heavy.

This is what we'll show whenever you publish anything on Kinja: > My bird IS the word 10/12/2020 at 20:24

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My thought was that if the bolts up front were torqued down without the cars weight being on the front wheels, like while on jackstands with the suspension under full droop, when you sit it back down it will not settle to where it should. Which would ultimately increase the ride height up front (and destroy the bushings rather quickly). So rather than the rear being too low the front is just too high, thus cocking everything up.

But if you haven't changed them then probably not that I guess.

old-busted-hotness-still-cant-comment > My bird IS the word 10/12/2020 at 21:43

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Common problem with F-bodies. Back when these were just cheap used cars you used to see them dragging ass all the time. The fact that they got driven hard accelerated the wear on the springs. Replace ‘em and they’ll be good for 10-15 years.

GLiddy > My bird IS the word 10/12/2020 at 23:26

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I think your front end is high. There is no way my old TA had that much wheel clearance in front. and the spoiler sat maybe 6" off the road.  The rear actually looks pretty much right. It might be sagging a little. Back in the day, after my old TA got really tired I had coil-over shocks installed in back and it sat better than 90% of the Trans Ams around. By the early 90s it seemed every TA squatted down in the back.

pip bip - choose Corrour > My bird IS the word 10/13/2020 at 03:20

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can a spring shop reset them?

My bird IS the word > GLiddy 10/13/2020 at 06:34

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I think the rear sag is causimg the front to sit high but at the same time i removed the a\c compressor, and that thing was heavy. So that may be throwimg me off. Idk how sensitive these springs are.

My bird IS the word > pip bip - choose Corrour 10/13/2020 at 06:36

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Think the steel has just lost it's tension.

pip bip - choose Corrour > My bird IS the word 10/13/2020 at 06:40

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they might be able to reset them though.

My bird IS the word > pip bip - choose Corrour 10/13/2020 at 06:41

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I think they just need thrown in the garbage

pip bip - choose Corrour > My bird IS the word 10/13/2020 at 06:53

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how expensive are a new set?

My bird IS the word > pip bip - choose Corrour 10/13/2020 at 07:31

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Like 300$. For me, and for this project, it really is more of a confidence thing. Like, I dont want to do all new shocks and springs until I am confident I am going to keep the car. But afterwards I will probably want to do both of those things. I should have just realized that this whole car would be junk. Affording it is not the issue. Wanting to put more money into the car is.