Richard,
The reason your new coil springs are not as tall as the originals is
probably because they were made with a thicker wire. This makes them
stiffer. Springs are rated by what's called "Spring Rate", in pounds per
inch of compression travel. If the spring rate on your old springs was for
example 400 lbs./in, then a 1600 lbs. Load would compress them 4 inches. If
your new springs have a spring rate of 500 lbs./in, the same load would only
compress them a little over 3 inches. So to achieve the same ride height,
the new springs need to be shorter. Stiffer springs is probably why your car
handles much better. In 1961, Cadillac (and most everyone else in Detroit)
assumed Americans wanted a soft cloud like ride in a straight line. Handling
was sacrificed. Eaton seems to know better.
Anyone interested in installing new springs (coil, leaf, or torsion bar) on
their vehicle, may want to compare the spring rate of the factory originals
to what is offered by replacement spring suppliers. If your ride is so soft
that handling is compromised, you may want to trade some softness for
handling. Discuss options available with the spring supplier. They may have
more than one choice.
Dave Homstad
56 Dodge D500
-----Original Message-----
From: Richard Woodside [SMTP:rwoodside@xxxxxxxx]
Sent: Saturday, September 11, 1999 12:18 PM
To: L-FORWARDLOOK@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [FWDLK] Eaton Detroit Spring Inc.
Another source for new springs is Eaton Detroit Spring Inc., 1555
Michigan Ave., Detroit, MI 48216. Phone: 313-963-3839. Even though they
were and still are an OEM supplier to the manufacturers, they still
advertise quite a bit for our collector car replacement business.
Their web page is:
www.eatondetroitspring.com
Two weeks ago, I had new front ($130/pair) and rear ($150/pair) coil
springs from Eaton Detroit Spring installed in my 61 Cadillac
convertible. I can honestly say that I have never seen a single repair
make so much improvement to a car's handling as these new springs made.
Even last year's complete front-end rebuild didn't make as much
noticeable difference.
Many people will have stories about changes in ride height from new
springs. My experience is that the front came up a little bit, while
the rear came up ever so slightly more than the front did. But I was
looking for some increased altitude, though, because my muffler was
scraping on my garage ramp, every time. Once interesting thing, though,
was that my mechanic thought, at first, that Eaton Detroit Spring had
supplied the wrong springs because the new ones were not as tall as the
old ones, but the results have worked out just fine. Maybe those 38
year old springs were designed to have more travel, but I am happy with
less bouncing up and down.
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