1969 Z-28 Leaf Spring Help

[Iowa Jon]

ok guys, I am in the process of disassembling my rear suspension I have found that the leaf springs need to be rebuilt.  However the passenger side leaf pack sits a little lower than the drivers side.  About  1/4 inch.  If I set the leaf springs side by side with the arch up in the air you can see the difference.  Not sure it is worth having the springs rebuilt?  I have looked at buying new and contacted bunch of vendors and they all list 4 leaf spring for z-28 with a 126 lbs spring rate.  I did see that Eaton Detroit Spring offers a 103 lbs rated spring.  They did not seem to get very good reviews.  I looked up an old post on CRG were John Z chimed in and said that 103 lbs was correct and the lighter rating helped correct Over steer in corners.  Has anyone had any experience with Eaton Detroit Spring?  Is rebuilding spring packs worth it?  I assume a spring would need to be replaced if it is worn out.  I have no cracked springs and they are not all rusted up. I do plan on taking the car to track days on a road course.  Any engineers in the forum, are 126lbs and 103lbs miles apart in the engineering world?  I am not racing the car just having fun at track days.   Thanks,  Jon

[David K]

My experience was not good….and mine were mono leaf. They put the rear end extremely high in the back-like air shocks. I would have local spring shop rebuild and re-arch them.

[Iowa Jon]

Thank You David for the response.  Yes I am going to make some more phone calls today about having them rebuilt.  Jon

[GMAD_Van Nuys]

Previous CRG discussion on 1969 Z28 leaf springs:

http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=9626.0

[Iowa Jon]

Thanks GMAD,  after you sent me the link I read through the post. I spoke to Heartbeat City earlier today and I ended up getting a rebuild kit.  I am going to see if I can't re-arch the Passenger side a little bit. Never done it before but it looks relatively easy.  Since I am only 3/16 to 1/4 difference I think I can save some money and be happy with my originals. Sometimes I get a little concerned about going fast with 50 year old parts. I really thought I needed to replace but everyone I talked to today said rebuild.   Thanks ,  Jon

[68camaroz28]

We purchased the correct looking four leaf springs from heartbeat and it worked great BUT I placed three five gallon buckets of sand in the car and they were there for a few months. That settled the springs into a presentable height. I was going to do what your planning but had one main leaf cracked and another leaf the opposite side plus difficult to have the correct look.

[Iowa Jon]

Hi,  I just received the rebuild kit from Heartbeat City today.  The insulators are plastic and not rubber.  I did not see that in the description of the item.  I assumed they would have been rubber.  Anyway, have you rebuilt leaf springs before?  This is my first attempt.  Is it better to heat the rivet and then press-in?  Or should I just use my press and sink them? Any advice would be great.  I only have 2 rivets and 2 clamps per side.  They sent me 4 per side. So I have some extras. 
Thanks,  Jon

[169INDY]

https://www.eatondetroitspring.com/order-attaching-parts/

  ^^^^  search under "TIP INSERT"

[David K]

Jon, can you post pictures?

[Iowa Jon]

Hi David,  I took the leaf springs apart today. I wanted to save some money instead of taking to a Media blaster so I hit them with a wire wheel.  More pitting than I was expecting.  Now I am on the fence again about continuing the process of rebuilding.  You can see the heavy pitting in the pictures.  Nothing all the way through or even close.  Still some heavy pitting.  No cracks.  I did find some lettering on the sides "GMU" .  What do you think David?  Buy new or continue?  Thanks

 

[Iowa Jon]

https://www.eatondetroitspring.com/order-attaching-parts/

  ^^^^  search under "TIP INSERT"

I took a look, I see the ones that look like mine. I put a picture in the post below to David.  I also see the correct ones !
Do you know if they are rubber or plastic?  Thank You for the link. 

[169INDY]

These are Plastic, Never seen "Rubber" versions as they need to be a bit slippery to allow for arch/dearch action of a dynamic elliptical spring.

[Iowa Jon]

These are Plastic, Never seen "Rubber" versions as they need to be a bit slippery to allow for arch/dearch action of a dynamic elliptical spring.

oh, ok,  I did not know that.  I assumed that the originals would have been rubber.  I keep learning. 

[David K]

Believe John Z. What is your intent for the car? Weekend fart around? Cars and coffee? Drive like you hate? A.M.C.?

[Iowa Jon]

Hi David,  little drag racing,  some road course/ track day stuff its not racing just an opportunity to run some laps at the local road course.  I don't won't to go to a bigger tire. Stock Rally Wheels, BFG 15 inch radials.  Some cheater slicks at the Drag Strip. Hot Rod Power Tour, etc.