Mike, I have a 1968 Camaro Hardtop that I want to lower 2 Inches in the rear. I have headers and dual exhaust, which sometimes scrape on the driveway, so I want to install air bags to lift it as required. My question is, how does this affect the suspension and spring rate? Can I […]
Manufacturing Springs - Articles, Videos, and Physics
To properly manufacture springs, you need to match blacksmithing and physics to a vehicle's specific requirements. There is no such thing as 'one-size-fits-all' in suspension engineering.
Lucky for you, we do it all! Learn more about the process in the articles and videos listed below. Have your own question? Ask us today!
Heavy Duty Coils
Q -Kind of a follow up question to last week’s email question, Ken from Lancaster, CA wrote and said he went to the local auto parts store and told them he wanted to raise his car about an Inch or two and they sold him heavy duty coil springs. But when he installed them the […]
Leaf Spring Clips III
Mike, I am curious if there is a part that the leaf spring clamps play with regards to the function of a rear leaf spring? Is there a difference for instance on how many clamps are placed on a five leaf set up as opposed to a four leaf, and are the locations of the […]
Leaf Spring Rust
Mike, I purchased some custom lowered springs from you this past summer. They came unpainted and I put them on my car without painting them. Over the weekend I was putting her away for the winter and noticed that the springs were rusting. Should I be concerned about the rust and if so, what should […]
Mono Leaf Springs
Mike, I want to install a set of mono leaf springs on my 1953 Ford f-100. I have a 383 Mopar with a 727 torque flight tranny. Will mono leafs support this unit safely? My friend has them on his with basically the same set up. His springs are straight out with no upward curve. […]
Monoleaf Mistake
Mike, I bought monoleafs for my truck 8 years ago, not knowing the down side of using them. They sat around for 4 years before I put them on. They sit too low for my taste. To make matters worse, I was sold rear monos with a 6″ drop instead of 4″. Now they are […]
When Do I Install Coil Springs On A Hot Rod? What Do I Do Until Then?
Mike, I recently purchased a 1934 Ford 3 window coupe replica. To make a really long story short its an older kit that just never got put together, but in an excellent condition. My first order of business is to get a rolling chassis. The build book that was provided by the manufacturer calls out […]
Leaf Liners, Powder Coat & U-Bolt Torque
Mike, I wish I had read your tech page about two months ago. I just had my leaf springs powder coated and I’ve re-assembled the front springs with poly liners between the leafs. Am I correct in assuming that your advice for nothing to be between the springs also applies to these poly liners? If […]
Shock And Springs Fight Each Other In A ’64 Straight Axle Vette
Howdy, I have a 64 vette, with a Strange Ford 9”. Yes, it’s a 64 straight axle car. Former drag car. It’s set up like a 62 for the leaf springs. I have 4 leaf springs on there now, which are for a 62, which I purchased from a local vette resto shop. They have […]
Leaf Finish
Mike, Please can you inform what’s the best/correct finish for both the visible and invisible (IN THE STACK) parts of leaf springs? A couple of people I know insist on painting them totally including all in between the leafs, the normal for them bondaprimer / undercoat / enamel topcoat layers. (They do have to externally […]
Hudson Street Rod
Hello Mike , I am asking for help with a problem I am having on a 1930 Hudson Street Rod. I mounted a Ford Mustang rearend on the original springs, and the springs flatten out with the weight of the car, no arch. With the spring flat the rear shackle hits the fender and wont […]
Leaf Liners’ Effect on Spring Rate
Hi Mike, I just read your comment about Delrin inserts and it raised three more related questions I don’t believe I have ever seen answered. The first is, does using a full length insert change the thickness of the spring pack? Secondly, what effect do full length inserts have on spring rate? Finally, in general […]
Monoleaf Springs
Can mono-leaf springs be dangerous?
Reducing Inter-Leaf Friction: Leaf Lubricant or Leaf Liners & Tip Inserts?
Mike, I am overhauling a set of springs from a ’64 F250 that are in great shape. I’m getting a list together of hardware to order from you folks. I have read all your tips about coating/painting springs and not using grease between the leafs. My question is that I have heard some people recommend […]
Grease Between Leaves
Q – Mike: I really enjoyed the opportunity to talk with you during the Silver Springs car show this past weekend. I have also looked at several of your articles on your web site and found them to be very interesting and informative. I also appreciate the T-shirt offer regarding the a discussion we had […]
How Much And When Do Coil Springs Settle? (Also, How To Choose The Right Mustang II Springs)
How much can one expect the springs to settle after installation?
Axle Wrap Cause And Fix
Fixing and understanding axle wrap
How Effective Wheel Weight Can Change What Springs You Need
Dear Mike, We met in Richmond, VA at the NSRA show last August. My car is a 1937 Packard convertible with Fat Man suspension and Mustang II coil springs. The springs had sagged to the point that the lower A-arms were not level but were going up toward each wheel. It had been suggested by […]
Replacement Springs For Splitting A Wishbone
Mike, I would like to inquire about a front spring for a 1937 Ford Coupe, at this time it has an original front spring. I would like to know what my options might be. From a single spring, to a reverse eye spring, or anything else you may suggest. Let me give you a little […]
How To Get Rid Of Airshocks On 1940 Ford?
I have a street rod that uses the frame of a 1980 Cutlass LS which I believe is called a GM G Body. The car is a 1940 Ford two door coach. It has the rear springs form the original ’80 Cutlass in it and they are too weak so I use air shocks to […]