Air shocks vs. leaf spring repair

JasonNC
JasonNC Expert Adviser
edited November -1 in HUDSON
The rear bumper drags the ground everytime I leave the service station in the Kaiser. I replaced the shocks, but the problem still persists. I'm either going to buy air shocks, new leaf springs, or have the old springs bent. What do you guys suggest is the best approach? cool.gif

Comments

  • Unknown
    Unknown
    You could add a leaf to stiffen the springs, but the problem may be in the shocks. Are they the correct shocks, installed correctly? If so, you may need to go to a heavier-duty shock. For safety's sake DON'T BEND OLD LEAF SPRINGS! Either add a leaf or replace with new. Last idea: change gas stations, don't fill the tank past 3/4, or leave the bumper at home. LOL
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    I vote for new leaf springs. How can shocks stop a car from sagging? Don't go for halfway measures ... do it right!
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Do you know if your bumper is still at original height? A cheap way to raise your car would be to put some "helper" springs around the shocks. You can get these at NAPA, Part #7041304, for $35.49. I have these on my '48. These were part of the "beef-up" I did to the drivetrain to handle the extra horsepower. They are a coil spring that slips over your shock, and you bolt the bracket(included) around the top and bottom of the shock. The closer you put the brackets together, the more it compresses the spring, which trys to expand the shock, which in turn raises the ride height. It also gives a little firmer ride, if your leaf springs have gotten a little weak. You can also install these to give a little firmer ride, without raising the ride height.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    I had a '63 Mercury that I used to pull a camp trailer, and had a leaf added at a frame and spring shop. This raised the rear end up about 1 1/2" at the bumper. A shop that specializes in frames and springs can tell you what you need, sometimes they can re-arch the leaf springs. The local shop here does a lot of trucks, thus they are familiar with the older cars (king pins, leaf springs etc.).
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    I like the idea of checking the bumper height. If you have a body service book I imagine that there is a spec for the bumper. I used air shocks more years ago than I care to remember. Didn't use them to pull a trailer as they were designed for. Used them to jack up the back of my car as was the style back in those days. Unless you want a '60's raked look I would stay away from air shocks. A good suspension shop should be able to advise you on your springs, should the bumper height be correct. They could just be weak after all these years. Replacement would be better than adding a leaf to keep the car from sitting up in the rear. The coil over shock springs may work as a temporary fix and would certainly be the least expensive way to go.
  • JasonNC
    JasonNC Expert Adviser
    Okay, I agree the best route is to put new leaf springs on. Anybody ever used the leaf springs from Kanter?
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    One company you could try is Eaton Spring in Detroit at http://www.eatonsprings.com/index.html . They can supply either the exact spring or one that is extremely close to it. I know a Hudsonite who used them and was very happy with the results. They have patterns for many older cars.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories

In this Discussion