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Alert on leaf springs
https://slantsix.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=39395		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  ceej [ Sat Mar 13, 2010 12:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Alert on leaf springs
A long time ago I ordered a set of leaf springs for the '74 four door Valiant. JC Whitney PLY 707's. I'm past the 90 day return point. Way past.

The new ones are 55 inches total length, which lines up with the charts I've seen for A bodies.

The springs I just took off are 52" eye to eye. The locating pin is much closer to the front of the spring on the original set.

Is there a difference in length between the two door and four door cars?

It doesn't look like I'm going to be able to use these springs. If somebody close has a use for them, I will give you a heck of a deal! :lol:

So, the moral of this story is: Measure your springs first!

I need to go out and reinstall my nasty old leaf springs. :roll:

CJ
Author:  SlantSixDan [ Sat Mar 13, 2010 2:35 pm ]
Post subject: 
Last time I checked JC Witless were still getting their springs from John R Spring in Michigan. Give them a call and explain your situation; see what they might do for you.
Author:  ceej [ Sat Mar 13, 2010 2:59 pm ]
Post subject: 
The measurement should be 55" along the arc of the spring. These were for F/M/J body cars @ 58" along the arc. Straight between the eyes measures 55". Not correct for the A body. JC Whitney is now batting 1000 for parts that don't Perfectly fit.

That is the second part I've bought from them that doesn't fit my car.

Since I had the car torn down, I took them apart, used my main spring and all my new bushings to mount the new leaves to. I bought these springs about ten days shy of a year ago.

The front eye on the new spring doesn't fit the spring hanger. It is too wide.
The centering pin for the axle pads is on the wrong center as well for an A-Body.

All done, mounted up, and ready to put back on the ground. Whew. I re-invented my Seventh Fleet vocabulary. I'm glad my Grand-daughter wasn't here for a visit! :lol:

CJ
Author:  ceej [ Sat Mar 13, 2010 3:13 pm ]
Post subject: 
I wrote to the John R Spring company to see if they could straighten out JC Whitney. I'm through talking to those yahoos at JCW. Every time I try to straighten things out I get blown off.

Vent off.

CJ
Author:  volaredon [ Sat Mar 13, 2010 7:30 pm ]
Post subject: 
thats why I take the 80-ish mile drive out to JCW directly, when I want anything there! usually the gas for the round trip is cheaper than shipping and being able to stop off at Starved Rock State park while I am out there is a plus as well. They were the best when looking for a new top for my 93 Wrangler! (which I no longer have) has their customer service gone (further) down the tubes in the last couple years? Last time I was there, I didn't buy anything; everything (out in the showroom anyway) was China sourced. they have a HUGE warehouse right there, and a will call counter.
Author:  Louise76 [ Sat Mar 13, 2010 9:08 pm ]
Post subject: 
I just swapped springs from a 75 Valient 4-door to a 74 Scamp (2-dr): same springs. I did the swap with all the hardware & bracketry, just un-bolted, and bolted on. The reason for the swap was the Scamp springs were looking low, sagging. I think the springs may have been supplied to the factory by several different suppliers and the quality and heat-treat had variations?? The 75 4-door springs raised the rear bumper on the Scamp about 1 or 1-1/2 inches.
The assemblies are different left and right. I wanted to swap left to right also to fudge for more fatigue on the right set, but had to do some minor "adjustments" to get a cheat-fit without doing the job properly by disassembling and swapping parts on each assembly.
Here in Seattle I recommend Craigs Springs in Ballard- awesome small old-school shop, no BS. I gave him a sample with measurements for the U-bolts that I had to cut off to get the springs off the axle assy, and he made me a new set of U-bolts, with washers and nuts for $12.50 each bolt, hand made. He is now on my "friends" list. Pat
Author:  coconuteater64 [ Sun Mar 14, 2010 3:51 am ]
Post subject: 
I will not buy from JC Whitney. Ever. I bought an engine rebuild kit from them. Got 7 VW lifters and one SB Chevy lifter, all in the same box. The pistons were seized in their bores (VW air cooled rebuild kit) from the factory! Made in China? you bet.
Author:  4speed [ Sun Mar 14, 2010 5:33 am ]
Post subject: 
I have had good luck I getting springs from Donovan Springs.
Two years ago I walked in a local branch and they had the rear springs in stock for my 50 Chrysler. Dropped right in just fine.
Author:  ceej [ Sun Mar 14, 2010 11:09 am ]
Post subject: 
Email to John R Spring was returned undeliverable.

Wonderful.


CJ
Author:  SlantSixDan [ Sun Mar 14, 2010 12:03 pm ]
Post subject: 
Call them on the, whatchyamacallit, telephone-thing.
Author:  ceej [ Sun Mar 14, 2010 8:45 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thrice bitten.. Done with JC Whitney. Anybody want a carpet made by an old Soviet tailor? :lol: I pulled it out yesterday. It never did sit down right over the tunnel. I'll just fix the rust problems, paint the floor with undercoat, and glue something carpet-like down.

I've also got a headliner that fits ...nothing I know of... :roll:
Probably a two door.

CJ
Author:  Zipper [ Mon Mar 22, 2010 7:33 pm ]
Post subject: 
My friend did this also. JC Whitney rear Leafs. I finally get the gumption to get them on, and they don't fit in the brackets.

It seems JC has a standard set that fits all body types or something. Either way, I have a set a springs way way past my warranty
Author:  Volare4life [ Wed Mar 24, 2010 8:50 pm ]
Post subject: 
ceej, you said those springs are for an f/m/j body yes ? Where you located ? 4 or 5 leafs ? I'm intrested lol, if you want PM me with the details

-Mike
Author:  ceej [ Fri Mar 26, 2010 9:00 am ]
Post subject: 
Sorry, I took them apart and used them to rebuild using my main leaves. Johnny is getting me a set of bushings to "Go Poly."

If you want the main springs to rebuild with your leaves and perhaps a few of my old leaves to beef things up, let me know. They have a "Built in" bushing for the front eye.

Halsey, Oregon. I'm not going to ship them.

CJ
Author:  olafla [ Sat Mar 27, 2010 3:01 am ]
Post subject: 
Hi, a little comment for those who buys leaf spring from ESPO springsnthings, they now deliver the F-body springs with the normal round front bushing instead of that oval thing. I paid $215 for a pair, they are still underway, but a friend of mine already got his and says they look fine.
Olaf
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