Front spring replacement advice

[jwilliams81]

Over this past winter I replaced my front and rear springs with new ones from:
http://www.a-springs.com/products.html

When I received them, I took them apart and coated them with Slip-Plate.
https://www.amazon.com/SLIP-Plate-No-1-Quart/dp/B005FY0TJ8/ref=sr_1_5?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1530543366&sr=1-5&keywords=slip+plate

At the same time I sent all four shocks out to John Holland to be rebuilt.

Everything is installed and amazing.

I would highly recommend
http://www.a-springs.com/products.html and John Holland for rebuilt shocks.

 

[J Franklin]

As a kid I had oval perches on an A. I installed round steel bushings and filled any void with JB Weld. It might not pass judging but was a permanent fix.

 

[Johns30]

Re: Front spring replacement advice - updated

I thought I would follow up to let everyone know that I have the new spring in, new shackles and bushings, and new shocks on, and it rides MUCH better than before!! I will attach a few pictures. A few thoughts and info:
1. The old spring had 9 leaves, the new one (from Snyders) has 10. Does anyone know why the old one only had 9??
2. My car has the modern shocks - the old u-bolt on the axle on the one side had too much thread on the shock side and it bashed a hole in the shock, so one of the original shocks was completely frozen! I'm sure this contributed to the harsh ride...
3. I beefed up the shock mount clamp on the bottom. Rather than using the small cheap u-bolts, I made a plate and then used grade 8 bolts.
4. The tube shocks are Monroe #5829 - spec'd for a 1978 Plymouth Volare . Don't ask me why but they seem to be the right size...first time I ever ordered parts for a Plymouth, LOL
Anyway, I think the project was a success. Someday when I'm rich I'll consider an original shock set up. Thanks again for all of your help!

 

[Y-Blockhead]

Re: Front spring replacement advice - updated

I thought I would follow up to let everyone know that I have the new spring in, new shackles and bushings, and new shocks on, and it rides MUCH better than before!! I will attach a few pictures. A few thoughts and info:
1. The old spring had 9 leaves, the new one (from Snyders) has 10. Does anyone know why the old one only had 9??
2. My car has the modern shocks (originals not in the budget) - the old u-bolt on the axle on the one side had too much thread on the shock side and it bashed a hole in the shock, so one of the original shocks was completely frozen! I'm sure this contributed to the harsh ride...
3. I beefed up the shock mount clamp on the bottom. Rather than using the small cheap u-bolts, I made a plate and then used grade 8 bolts.
4. The tube shocks are Monroe #5829 - spec'd for a 1978 Plymouth Volare . Don't ask me why but they seem to be the right size...first time I ever ordered parts for a Plymouth, LOL
Anyway, I think the project was a success. Someday when I'm rich I'll consider an original shock set up. Thanks again for all of your help!

Thanks for the update. Often times we never hear the outcome of others "projects" and are left hangin' Good to see everything worked out.

 

[duke36]

Re: Front spring replacement advice - updated

I thought I would follow up to let everyone know that I have the new spring in, new shackles and bushings, and new shocks on, and it rides MUCH better than before!! I will attach a few pictures. A few thoughts and info:
1. The old spring had 9 leaves, the new one (from Snyders) has 10. Does anyone know why the old one only had 9??
2. My car has the modern shocks - the old u-bolt on the axle on the one side had too much thread on the shock side and it bashed a hole in the shock, so one of the original shocks was completely frozen! I'm sure this contributed to the harsh ride...
3. I beefed up the shock mount clamp on the bottom. Rather than using the small cheap u-bolts, I made a plate and then used grade 8 bolts.
4. The tube shocks are Monroe #5829 - spec'd for a 1978 Plymouth Volare . Don't ask me why but they seem to be the right size...first time I ever ordered parts for a Plymouth, LOL
Anyway, I think the project was a success. Someday when I'm rich I'll consider an original shock set up. Thanks again for all of your help!

Those are gas charged shocks. Glad they are working out. Are they on the rear as well?

 

[Johns30]

Re: Front spring replacement advice - updated

Those are gas charged shocks. Glad they are working out. Are they on the rear as well?

Yes, they are gas charged since that is all I could find. I've heard that some people recommend non-gas charged, but I can't see that anyone makes or sells those anymore??

 

[28Ca8149]

My 1930 Fordor has a extra Leif in the front spring . Maybe because it was sold where there was dirt roads

 

[ursus]

My 1930 Fordor has a extra Leif in the front spring . Maybe because it was sold where there was dirt roads

Mine has 11 leaves as well. I was told that it was done to reinforce a tired original spring. It seems to do the job - the ride is firm and the car sits at the correct height.