I was looking in the AMA specs and saw that the Firebird 400's had either 4 or 5 leaf springs. I went to Eaton Springs and also saw that the 5 leaf springs are considered "Standard Duty" and the 4 leaf is "Heavy Duty".
So, how would I know what type spring I should have?
I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not sure. I feel like I am diagonally parked in a parallel universe. 1968 400 convertible (Scarlet) 1976 T/A - 455 LE (No Burt) 1976 T/A New baby, starting full restoration. 1968 350 - 4 speed 'vert - 400 clone (the Beast!) 1968 350 convertible - Wife's car now- 400 clone (Aleutian Blue) (Blue Angel) 2008 Durango - DD 2008 GXP - New one from NH is AWESOME! 2017 Durango Citadel - Modern is nice! HEMI is amazing! 1998 Silverado Z71 - Father-daughter project 1968 400 coupe - R/A clone (Blue Pearl) (sold) 1967 326 convertible - Sold 1980 T/A SE Bandit - Sold
Can't recall what mine had originally. I know that the old springs were terrible with the car bottoming out on the axle bumpers for years before I finally replaced them. I replaced them in 1987 with a five-leaf spring (I assume you count the little 16" leaf on the bottom.)
I put 4 leafs on mine as the spring perches only allowed a 4 leaf spring. I found this out when I purchased some 5 leafs and couldn't get the bottom mount to fit the perch.
I have some 5 leafs that I'll sell for cheap if anyone is interested.
I put 4 leafs on mine as the spring perches only allowed a 4 leaf spring. I found this out when I purchased some 5 leafs and couldn't get the bottom mount to fit the perch.
So that's the reason that after I cleaned and painted the axle and put in new rubber cushions that I could not get the bolts to snug everything tight. DOH!
I even had to replace on of the plates when I cleaned up the axle. When the spring installer put the 5-leafs on years ago, they must have tried to over torque them to get them flush. The plate I replaced was bowed and a stress crack had started on one side from the distortion.
I don't think they have to be tightened to the point where they touch each other. As long as they are tight enough to make sure the spring doesn't move around in the pocket seems to me a gap in between wouldn't make any difference at all. I don't know why everyone assumes that they have to touch? They are not going to move sideways and as long as they pin locator is in the hole in the bracket(and the bolts are tight) they shouldn't move back and forth either.
