Hi everyone,
My rear springs are a bit tired and I'm looking forward to change them. I'd like to have a slight rake (bottom's up!)
I often drives with a fully loaded trunk, and probably a small teardrop camper in the future.
But I don't wanna have a bouncy ass when I drive hardly on small curvy roads.
I'd like to have the confirmation that the XHD would do the job if not, what would you advice ?
I wanted the exact same thing out of my new springs. I recently installed the XHD's from summit, and I'm glad I did. Rear sits up slightly higher than the front, and ride's great. Perfect stance in my opinion.
Exactly what I wanted to hear !
A lot of people like www.espo.com. Great quality, decent pricing, the arch lasts a long time and they will make them whatever arch you want. I would recommend +1" to raise the rear slightly or 2" to raise it more for bigger tires.
I heard Eaton makes bad ass USA springs.
Read lots of stories of people buying non-USA made springs and after a few weeks they started to sag right back where the originals were.
Also been hearing that it's common practice to +1 or +2 your order.
I'll probably go +1 because I'm not trying to stuff bigger tires than I need in the back, but a like a little bit of a rake.
What do you guys think?
Mopar XHD's are well known for sagging badly within a couple of years..... ESPO has a very good reputation...
I have been running the Mopar XHD for over a decade with no problems.
Quote from: 72hemi on June 19, 2018, 09:21:23 AM
I have been running the Mopar XHD for over a decade with no problems.
I have a set on mine as well. They suck! Maybe there are different production runs where some are better than others. The one's I have are way to soft. IMO
I will not use mopar XHD Leafs , they are great when installed & quickly sag down , Espo would be my first choice , Eaton is good also , Don't waste your cash on Mopar springs , they are made in Mexico with poor steel not like the OEM
Heck... Just arrived last week :headbang:
Will see if some Mopar guy on this side of the pond wants them for a low-mile running car...
Quote from: Vettefab on June 26, 2018, 02:49:47 AM
Heck... Just arrived last week :headbang:
Will see if some Mopar guy on this side of the pond wants them for a low-mile running car...
It's not all doom and gloom with the Mopar XHD's. They do sag, but that's not necessarily a bad thing unless you're looking for a higher ride height.
I put the made in Mexico Mopar XHD's in my Challenger years, and tens of thousands of miles, ago. Yes, they did sag within the first few months. But the spring rate is good (and that doesn't change, fyi) and I was happy with the ride height that the springs ended up at. Now, that being said, my car is lowered pretty substantially in the front and the rear ended up where I wanted it to be.
If you want significant front to rear rake, the Mopar XHD's aren't a good choice. But if you're looking for a lowered, more level stance there's nothing wrong with the XHD's. I think they're a decent, inexpensive choice if you're setting a car up for road handling.
Here's a straight on side shot of my car, long after the XHD's had settled. You can see it sits pretty level, but I also have the same height tires on both the back and front. If your rear tires are taller than the front, you'd have more rake.
I'm running MOPAR XHD's been on over 12 years no issues............... :notsure: NIKKI's still got the rake I want. Maybe they used better steel back then??
Where would you group the Super Stock springs?
I have a set of the Super Stock springs purchased from Direct Connection. Just sitting and waiting.
Stock <Mopar XHD< Super stock
I always added 1 more full leaf from Standens just under the main leaf using XHD springs , unless you have the front low like 72 blu the back sits too low
Quote from: BIGSHCLUNK on June 26, 2018, 02:52:53 PM
I'm running MOPAR XHD's been on over 12 years no issues............... :notsure: NIKKI's still got the rake I want. Maybe they used better steel back then??
Not sure when they moved the manufacturing to Mexico, but the XHD's on my car are the "sagging" ones and they're probably at least 8 years old.
Quote from: oldmoparbuff on June 26, 2018, 03:52:49 PM
Where would you group the Super Stock springs?
I have a set of the Super Stock springs purchased from Direct Connection. Just sitting and waiting.
Stock <Mopar XHD< Super stock
Stiff as hell. I ran SS springs for a little bit before I bought the XHD's. They're good for launch traction and drag racing but they ride very stiff. I mean, I run 1.12" torsion bars up front and those SS speings made the back end too stiff even with the large torsion bars up front.
Quote from: 72bluNblu on June 26, 2018, 06:56:00 PM
Quote from: BIGSHCLUNK on June 26, 2018, 02:52:53 PM
Not sure when they moved the manufacturing to Mexico, but the XHD's on my car are the "sagging" ones and they're probably at least 8 years old.
Quote from: oldmoparbuff on June 26, 2018, 03:52:49 PM
Stiff as hell. I ran SS springs for a little bit before I bought the XHD's. They're good for launch traction and drag racing but they ride very stiff. I mean, I run 1.12" torsion bars up front and those SS speings made the back end too stiff even with the large torsion bars up front.
I have the BIG FF T bars myself. Ride is firm but not harsh.
@blown motor (https://forum.e-bodies.org/mlist/blown-motor_52) rode in NIKKI just last year. Maybe he can chime in with an opinion
Can't help you out much here. Your Milwaukee streets are so smooth that you almost don't need suspension. :haha: Seriously, I don't pay a lot of attention to that stuff unless it's out at the end of the scale. I figure these are old cars, the ride isn't going to be like the new stuff and it is what it is.
Hi guys,
Need your opinion. My A66 appears to have the correct R/T 4-leaf springs from the factory. However, "helpers' have been installed. Because of this, the helper mounting bracket prohibits me from changing the tire/wheel combo, so sadly I have to deal with the leaf springs first. Basically, the helper mounting hardware is about 3/4" away from making contact with the tire/wheel, and the wheels have 3.75" backspacing. Most aftermarket Rallye wheels are 4.5", so that will definitely be a problem.
My first thought is to get Eaton or Espo +1 springs, which I believe have 5 leafs. +1 because a little bit of rake is nice. The trunk of the car will contain the factory spare tire/hardware.
I find 72bluNblu's ride height to be pretty perfect. https://forum.e-bodies.org/wheels-tires-brakes-suspension-and-steering/12/leaf-spring-choice-for-road-use/7028/msg103349#msg103349
Does +1 get me around where he's at?
Is there any benefit over going the hassle of re-arching my stock springs vs grabbing a pair of good aftermarket Espo or Eaton 5-leafers? Are the aftermarket ones from Espo or Eaton better in every possible way over the originals?
I'm assuming replacing the leaf springs is an easy job?
Quote from: kawahonda on July 09, 2018, 10:52:03 AM
Does +1 get me around where he's at?
Is there any benefit over going the hassle of re-arching my stock springs vs grabbing a pair of good aftermarket Espo or Eaton 5-leafers? Are the aftermarket ones from Espo or Eaton better in every possible way over the originals?
I'm assuming replacing the leaf springs is an easy job?
That appears to be the same as +1". I would highly recommend ESPO, great quality and they have everything you need. You may find a place to re-arch your springs, but by the time/effort/trouble you do all that there is not much cost savings with new springs. I would suggest new shackle, bolts and bushings too unless yours are relatively new. It is relatively straight forward if you have access to three jack stands (one for each end + 1 for the pinion) and some tools.
Thanks for that! Good call on getting new hardware with it. I was gonna ask about that.
Yea, plus with my current springs, after removing the helpers, the rear end will obviously drop a little more. Then I don't know what "stock" is and it would probably be quite a 'trial and error" process for re-arching.
I assume the 5-leaf design from Espo/Eaton are not too hard, not too soft. Just right?
I have two 3-ton jack stands and a 3-ton jack. Probably would be good to pick up another jack stand. Or just use my friend's lift!
Quote from: kawahonda on July 09, 2018, 11:42:24 AM
I assume the 5-leaf design from Espo/Eaton are not too hard, not too soft. Just right?
I have two 3-ton jack stands and a 3-ton jack. Probably would be good to pick up another jack stand. Or just use my friend's lift!
Yes, I have had several ESPO springs on my cars and they are a nice ride. You will also need to decide rubber or poly bushings. I like rubber because polys "squeek" but others like them. Lifts are always better if you have access.
I liked my espos when I ran them. Had 1.5" over stock and it looked great. Only changed them because I went a different route and am now running hotchkis for handling.
ESPO leaf springs. Just off PA Interstate 81. Talk with Laura. I went up to pick mine up. Laura knows her stuff. I hope that helps.
YA :welcome: From central New York!
Quote from: kawahonda on July 09, 2018, 10:52:03 AM
Hi guys,
Need your opinion. My A66 appears to have the correct R/T 4-leaf springs from the factory. However, "helpers' have been installed. Because of this, the helper mounting bracket prohibits me from changing the tire/wheel combo, so sadly I have to deal with the leaf springs first. Basically, the helper mounting hardware is about 3/4" away from making contact with the tire/wheel, and the wheels have 3.75" backspacing. Most aftermarket Rallye wheels are 4.5", so that will definitely be a problem.
My first thought is to get Eaton or Espo +1 springs, which I believe have 5 leafs. +1 because a little bit of rake is nice. The trunk of the car will contain the factory spare tire/hardware.
I find 72bluNblu's ride height to be pretty perfect. https://forum.e-bodies.org/wheels-tires-brakes-suspension-and-steering/12/leaf-spring-choice-for-road-use/7028/msg103349#msg103349
Does +1 get me around where he's at?
Is there any benefit over going the hassle of re-arching my stock springs vs grabbing a pair of good aftermarket Espo or Eaton 5-leafers? Are the aftermarket ones from Espo or Eaton better in every possible way over the originals?
I'm assuming replacing the leaf springs is an easy job?
+1 springs will not get you where I'm at.
My car is sitting on Made in Mexico Mopar XHD's in that picture, and that's after they sagged. For reference, the front end of my car is lowered almost 2" from stock. The rear end height is probably closer to -1" from stock.
Guys, the more and more I look at things, the more I think just getting Espo +0 springs is what will look "right" again. I've seem a bunch of +1 shots, and it seems like the rear end is still floating above the rear tire, which doesn't look right to my eyes. Every single +1.5 and 2.0 lift looks.....really wrong, regardless of tire choice. Sorry. Just not my style.
I'm now at the point where .5" may be the most I'd go. Is that possible? Keep in mind I'm planning on 235's all around. I want the tire to shoot into the rear fender well to look right. But I don't want the rear end to look like it's taking a dump. It will have spare tire + hardware in the back. Even still, it seems like +1" is more for the folks that like OBVIOUS rake. I want enough rake that requires a second and third look to be sure........
I had original stock spring and wheel well covered the top of tires by about 2". Replaced the springs with Mopar XHD and height stay the same. I then listened to CP and added a leaf from the original spring. The car now has the wheel well at the top of the tire. Tire is 275/46/17, a little shy of 26" If I recall correct. My car is on blocks now so no pictures.
I think what I should do is remove my stupid helper springs, stick on the tire/wheel combo I want, then assess!