Dangerous restoration

[xxcarguy]

Sometimes I see things on restored cars for sale and think “yikes!”
Would this be a helpful thread for people buying a restored car and things to watch for?
I saw this just a bit ago.

 

[413]

Clamp missing. Not all that dangerous. The reason spring is spread out is axle is axle hanging down due to being on a hoist.

 

[CBODY67]

Holes in the end of those leaves? Not to hold things together, but for the waxy fiber pads to serve as "anti-squeak" devices. The "HD" spring do not have them, it seems.

The main leaves are held in place by the end bushings and holders. The complete spring assy is held together by a center bolt, which is hidden by the attachment to the rear axle. Then secured to the axle housing by the U-bolts.

It is not uncommon for some drag racers to remove the rear clamps so the spring will separate on a hard launch, which will change the pinion angle a bit, with the end result of "more bite" on launch from the starting line. I have seen some "separations on launch" that would surprise you! YET the cars operate as normal in regular driving situations.

I was trying to figure out how the shocks were close enough to the brake lines to rub on them . . .

 

[xxcarguy]

Holes in the end of those leaves? Not to hold things together, but for the waxy fiber pads to serve as "anti-squeak" devices. The "HD" spring do not have them, it seems.

The main leaves are held in place by the end bushings and holders. The complete spring assy is held together by a center bolt, which is hidden by the attachment to the rear axle. Then secured to the axle housing by the U-bolts.

It is not uncommon for some drag racers to remove the rear clamps so the spring will separate on a hard launch, which will change the pinion angle a bit, with the end result of "more bite" on launch from the starting line. I have seen some "separations on launch" that would surprise you! YET the cars operate as normal in regular driving situations.

I was trying to figure out how the shocks were close enough to the brake lines to rub on them . . .

All the clamps are missing.

 

[CBODY67]

Still, not a major deal.

 

[73Coupe]

Besides the springs, they sprayed undercoat over everything, probably hiding a lot of rust. Red flag.

Also, what's going on with the brake drum?

 

[Big_John]

Also, what's going on with the brake drum?

A body OEM "bell" brake drums.

 

[413]

The spring pads are there, arrows on right, the pads have round locators through the springs on the front holes. Arrows on left

 

[xxcarguy]

The spring pads are there, arrows on right, the pads have round locators through the springs on the front holes. Arrows on left

View attachment 721778

So it’s ok to drive like this?
Then why would. Chrysler spend the money for not clamps not needed?

 

[Big_John]

So it’s ok to drive like this?
Then why would. Chrysler spend the money for not clamps not needed?

It's OK to drive like this as the leaves are clamped at the axle. That said, I would clamp the springs because I have seen individual leaves break and the clamp would help keep them in place so they don't start rubbing a tire.

We removed the rear clamps on stock class drag cars and then solidly clamped the front section. That was a "poor man's" ladder bar and still be legal for stock class.

The closeness of the springs to the tires is something I'd want to see in person as the pictures make it look a touch too close, but it could be fine too.

 

[CBODY67]

If the tires' inner sidewalls are too close to the spring leaves, that can indicate aftermarket wheels or wheels that are really too wide with too much backspacing in them. Check the front too, with respect to the outer tie rod ends' ball joint. People forget that the tires sidewalls can deflect due to cornering loads. Body sheet metal is NOT the only thing that "can touch" when that happens!

 

[57fury440]

I would clamp the rear of the springs. It is hard to tell how close the tires are to them in the pictures. If they don't touch because the tires are too close, it is not dangerous.

 

[Lefty71]

The only really sketchy thing I see is the backspace on the rims.....that sure does not look "factory" to me.

 

[volksworld]

8 leaves? looks like someone doubled up on the 2nd and 3rd ones...after that the original clamps wouldn't fit

 

[57fury440]

You can get clamps in different sizes. Look at what Big_John said about drag racing. I did the same years ago.

 

[James Romano]

Looks like at some point the springs were sagging, so the doubled up on the stack, which means they couldn't clamp them down with the stock clamps anymore.

If you're inspecting this for a customer, or you are the owner...just buy new springs and you can sleep better at night knowing everything is done right. Mine were around $450 for the pair. I installed them myself, fairly easy job if you know what you're doing.

I did this to my 65 Fury which has the same set up, and I couldn't have been happier...I also did this to an old 66 Box Nova I owend... same result. Happy days...

 

[57fury440]

If you read my last post. You can buy clamps to fit those springs and save a lot of money from buying new ones for no reason.

 

[cudamark]

My concern would be the tire clearance next to the springs. A hard corner and the side walls are going to get cut, possibly causing a blowout.

 

[57fury440]

I agree, but it is hard to tell from the pictures.