[55 Tony]

The flatter a leaf spring is, the less twist it has. So if your leaf springs have much arc they'll have more twist. But if they're pretty flat they'll have very little.

Good point! Never thought of that but it makes perfect sense.

 

[twin engines]

Good point! Never thought of that but it makes perfect sense.

Your shackles still flex and bend...that is what carries the side load and what the Watts corrects.

 

[1971BB427]

And likely the longer a shackle is, the more it can deflect. Shorter is better to control side deflection.

 

[twin engines]

Suspension

***Due to the current supply situation, our website may not reflect current pricing. Please contact us for current pricing and availability***

www.customworksperformance.net

 

[twin engines]

 

[twin engines]

After suspension upgrades to the spring and shackles

 

[Rick_L]

The second video doesn't show whether the spring/suspension was stabilized laterally or not.

 

[55 Tony]

And likely the longer a shackle is, the more it can deflect. Shorter is better to control side deflection.

It was before this topic, but recently there was a post with a pocket kit spring touching the frame, and boy did it look like it had long shackles! It made me think of this right away just looking at the pic.

 

[twin engines]

The second video doesn't show whether the spring/suspension was stabilized laterally or not.

He used Delrin bushings in the shackles. Yes it was stabilized.

Or you can use rubber and a Watts.

 

[twin engines]

It was before this topic, but recently there was a post with a pocket kit spring touching the frame, and boy did it look like it had long shackles! It made me think of this right away just looking at the pic.

Herb Adams mod basically inserted the front leaf pockets deeper into the body. Look up Cheverra

 

[Rick_L]

He used Delrin bushings in the shackles. Yes it was stabilized.

My point was that the video didn't demonstrate anything one way or the other.

 

[twin engines]

My point was that the video didn't demonstrate anything one way or the other.

You didn't look closely, watch the rear end movement in the first one vice the tires taking the load and moving in the second.

As a "no kidding " person that runs road courses, I can tell you that "yes" there is a difference in adding a Watts or delrin type bushings on leafs. The video is a before and after and the difference are very obvious if you look in the right areas.

 

[DHR Darren]

Rear sliders instead of shackles also.

 

[Robert Haas]

So why have one if there's no traction loss without it?

As I stated this is to allow me to run wider rubber and not suffer any rub under moderate cornering.

Put aluminum bushings in the leaf spring eyes and put greasable spring pins in and you will see that side to side sway go away

I understand there is deflection from the bushings, however the spring itself by its very design allows a sizable amount of lateral deflection. Enough to require larger clearances then I want to have.

 

[hutchenc]

Does anyone sell aluminum or steel front spring bushings for our cars? Or is this a make your own sorta deal?

 

[1971BB427]

One thing to keep in mind with a panhard bar is they do also have deflection. It's a symptom of the design, as with fixed points at each end the panhard bar travels in an arc as the axle moves up and down. So it's pushing and pulling the axle left and right under compression/decompression.
How much it moves depends on the angle of the panhard bar, and length of travel of the suspension. But you will still get side deflection, regardless.

 

[twin engines]

Does anyone sell aluminum or steel front spring bushings for our cars? Or is this a make your own sorta deal?

Try Global West or Detroit Speed.

SC&C Touring Suspension Package 1955-1957 Chevy

SC&C Touring Suspension Package 1955-1957 Chevy

scandc.com

 

[DHR Darren]

Does anyone sell aluminum or steel front spring bushings for our cars? Or is this a make your own sorta deal?

Local machine shop

 

[nad427]

I don’t see what the big deal is. Since the axle moves back and forth from side to side during cornering what difference is it going to make that a pan hard bar moves in an arc? Yeah it would be better to have a Watts or triangulated, but a panhard bar will keep things fairly well centered during normal driving, and on a budget build will be fine.

 

[hutchenc]

Local machine shop

What would be the specs of machining something like this? I mean, inner and outer diameter as well as length?

My pop has a Bridgeport lathe and mill in his garage!

If other fellas might be interested, I could probably have him make a run of a dozen sets or so out of aluminum or delrin. Steel is a b*itch to machine so I know he'll want to do it in aluminum or delrin if possible.