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    Author Topic: Remove 1 or 2 leaf springs for better ride?  (Read 2810 times)

    Offline Cudakiller70

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    Remove 1 or 2 leaf springs for better ride?
    « on: July 04, 2015 - 12:48:16 PM »
    70 Barracuda, small block, 4 speed. it has 6 leaf leaf springs, the ride is pretty rough. Wont be driving very hard maybe occasional romp on the gas. I want to keep it right side up this time. Looked for part numbers, but didn't find any. hope to be able to pull a leaf or 2 instead of full spring replacement, but would like to hear if others have tried this. Thanks Jim
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    Offline blown motor

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    Re: Remove 1 or 2 leaf springs for better ride?
    « Reply #1 on: July 04, 2015 - 01:06:05 PM »
    Won't pulling a leaf lower the back end?   :clueless:
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    Offline brads70

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    Re: Remove 1 or 2 leaf springs for better ride?
    « Reply #2 on: July 04, 2015 - 01:07:28 PM »
    Better shocks maybe?
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    Brad
    1970 Challenger 451stroker/4L60 auto OD
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    Offline HP2

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    Re: Remove 1 or 2 leaf springs for better ride?
    « Reply #3 on: July 04, 2015 - 01:13:53 PM »
    What shocks do you have? Improved shocks would be a better approach than dropping a leaf. Dropping a leaf to soften the ride will also lead to bottoming and  spring wrap.
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    Offline 1 Wild R/T

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    Re: Remove 1 or 2 leaf springs for better ride?
    « Reply #4 on: July 04, 2015 - 01:31:15 PM »
    Funny you asked this.. In your brake thread the picture shows your old KYB shocks... Lose them...
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    Offline Cudakiller70

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    Re: Remove 1 or 2 leaf springs for better ride?
    « Reply #5 on: July 05, 2015 - 02:56:53 PM »
    Quote from: blown motor on July 04, 2015 - 01:06:05 PM
    Won't pulling a leaf lower the back end?   :clueless:

    Yes that is possible, but I'm thinking (more like guessing) the way this car rides these springs are very stiff and it may not drop we'll see.  This car has a nose up rake right now with 2" lowering blocks in the rear. Will be removing the lowering blocks to raise it for nose down rake. Other members have suggested replacing the shocks, I think that is the best step to do first! Thanks Jim

    Quote from: brads70 on July 04, 2015 - 01:07:28 PM
    Better shocks maybe?

    Yup! Will try that first!

    Quote from: HP2 on July 04, 2015 - 01:13:53 PM
    What shocks do you have? Improved shocks would be a better approach than dropping a leaf. Dropping a leaf to soften the ride will also lead to bottoming and  spring wrap.

    First thing I'll do is change the shocks as others are suggesting. For spring wrap I could add some cal tracks traction bars, but for bottoming that could be a problem their are trade offs. Thanks for your help Jim
    « Last Edit: July 05, 2015 - 11:42:07 PM by Cudakiller70 »
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    Offline turbo224

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    Re: Remove 1 or 2 leaf springs for better ride?
    « Reply #6 on: July 06, 2015 - 11:21:18 AM »
    My cuda had the same problem. Super rough ride and too many leaf springs. I think I had 7! I removed one leaf and it rides better, but is still pretty rough and sits too high in the rear for my taste. I'm considering removing another.
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    Offline HP2

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    Re: Remove 1 or 2 leaf springs for better ride?
    « Reply #7 on: July 06, 2015 - 02:55:00 PM »
    KYBs are like a broken clock, they are correct for 1 out of 12 tries, but the rest of the time, they're just wrong. There are plenty of personal testaments on this site of people who stepped up shocks and felt improvements in ride quality, even after significant steps up in spring rates.
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    Offline 73restomod

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    Re: Remove 1 or 2 leaf springs for better ride?
    « Reply #8 on: July 08, 2015 - 09:31:35 AM »
    Good shocks make a big difference, I'd try some Bilsteins , or QA 1 single adjustables. Removing a leaf would be the last option. It could lead to some odd handling issues, and ride height changes. If its already higher in the back than you'd like get them re-arched. Generally costs $60 a side, but its amazing how much better leafs behave when they're flattened out...
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    Offline bigblue73

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    Re: Remove 1 or 2 leaf springs for better ride?
    « Reply #9 on: July 09, 2015 - 04:06:26 PM »
    KYB = Dental Problems
    The shocks will shake the fillings out of your head!  I'm using the adjustable Ridetech's and they are fantastic.
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