Opentracker - leaf spring rebuild question

[Hack]

I need to lower the rear of my car. I've seen several posts where Opentracker makes his own rear leafs. I would like to do this, but I have a few questions about it.

I noticed in pictures of your springs that you clamp them back together with a U-shaped clamp with threaded ends (the corners of the U are square). Where do you get the clamps?

It seems to me that the spring will have to get longer in order to flatten out. Are any changes to the shackles required?

Will I have to make shims to adjust my pinion angle? How accurate does my pinion angle have to be? Should I buy a tool to measure it?

 

[latamud]

I did this mod with Opentracker. I got my squared u-bolts at the local parts store, Napa will have them or can order them. No need to change the shackles. I don't imagine it changing the pinion angle. I wouldn't think any more than using a lowering block.

 

[tweet66]

I've got a question as well. I've seen the posts on the roller spring perches and would like to make a set mmyself, but I can find the bearings you have listed. Also saw the lower ar mods and wondered what the bearing and ball joint part #'s are and wher you got them as well.
Thanks
Ken

 

[Hack]

I've got a question as well. I've seen the posts on the roller spring perches and would like to make a set mmyself, but I can find the bearings you have listed. Also saw the lower ar mods and wondered what the bearing and ball joint part #'s are and wher you got them as well.
Thanks
Ken

http://www.trinitysmustangs.com/roller_spring_perch.htm

http://forums.vintage-mustang.com/f...rev=#Post914257

 

[Opentracker]

I need to lower the rear of my car. I've seen several posts where Opentracker makes his own rear leafs. I would like to do this, but I have a few questions about it.

I noticed in pictures of your springs that you clamp them back together with a U-shaped clamp with threaded ends (the corners of the U are square). Where do you get the clamps?

It seems to me that the spring will have to get longer in order to flatten out. Are any changes to the shackles required?

Will I have to make shims to adjust my pinion angle? How accurate does my pinion angle have to be? Should I buy a tool to measure it?

I get the clamps from Kragen or NAPA, as Latamud said. The spring does get a bit longer when it's flat but not enouph to change things like the rear shackle angle or the pinion angle. When your done, with the car on the ground the springs are flat.


The lower arm bearing # is MS-14102-12 and the spring perch # is R14-2RS. Scott Dunan at National bearing is who to talk too 1 800 426 8038 ext. 211.


John

 

[tweet66]

John, thanks

Hack I saw those links before, but as I was searching the I couldn't find the exact bearings that supported the 3200lb load stated in Opentracker's site.

 

[Opentracker]

John, thanks

Hack I saw those links before, but as I was searching the I couldn't find the exact bearings that supported the 3200lb load stated in Opentracker's site.

I was quoted 3200lbs by the man at the local bearing shop and he was wrong. They are rated at around 1400lbs each. 2800lbs total for each perch and as I said, none have failed. I'm sure the bronze perch will last longer but I wanted a spring perch for racing and the first set I made cost under $20. I had both the bearing and bronze bushing in my hand when I decided to go with the bearing. I wanted a true roller perch.

John

 

[Hack]

Thanks John!

 

[Hack]

When your done, with the car on the ground the springs are flat.

John

I've looked at my rear leafs, and they don't have a lot of arch to them right now. I'm concerned that I won't get the car low enough by just getting the springs flat.

Will I create handling problems if the springs go past flat? What would you recommend I do to lower the car more if I need to?

 

[latamud]

Well if you were able to see the stock leafs on opentrackers 65 you would see that they are so worn that they are on a negative arch. The car sits low and rides great but the leaf rebuild was not performed on this car. If you do the mod and the car is still not loe enough you can take a spare leaf like the smallest and place it in the leaf sequence directly in between the axle tube and upper most leaf, but not on a negative arch. This way it is only acting as a spacer. Or if it needs lowering even more put that on a negative arch as well. The leafs can be built over and over again in different combonations until you get te desired ride height. Good luck and have fun.

 

[Opentracker]

Well if you were able to see the stock leafs on opentrackers 65 you would see that they are so worn that they are on a negative arch. The car sits low and rides great but the leaf rebuild was not performed on this car. If you do the mod and the car is still not loe enough you can take a spare leaf like the smallest and place it in the leaf sequence directly in between the axle tube and upper most leaf, but not on a negative arch. This way it is only acting as a spacer. Or if it needs lowering even more put that on a negative arch as well. The leafs can be built over and over again in different combonations until you get te desired ride height. Good luck and have fun.

It's true. The leaf springs on the orange car are the ones from Ford.

This set is a 4 pack and has a #3 spring on the top in a negative arch. The ride height and spring rate can be anything you like. It takes a lot of time but the end result is worth it.


This is how not to do it. These came on our Falcon wagon. It was not fun to drive.

John

 

[Hack]

Thank you John and latamud. I feel very prepared now. I hope to get this project done before snow flies and the car has to go in storage.