Thread: leaf springs or shocks

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Hey all. I have a 74 Nova that is having a hard time not hitting the new tires i put on the rear. Should i get new shocks and just pump up the psi, or go with new leaf springs? I tried just putting shackles on, and durring the process found out that my leaf springs are either different or one side is worn out more then the other.

Thanks for your time

-Chris

A good set of new leafs is the best bet. Your sacked out old ones are probably hindering traction and more prone to wrap up creating wheel hop. New firm leafs will help plant them tires evenly.

New springs, air shocks are just a crutch

New springs, i would even be tempted to add a leaf. Extra tension. a bit rougher on the ride, but a solid plant.

I agree w/drg84.
Don

Actually, it sounds like either your tires are too big or the back spacing on the wheel is wrong and you have bad leaf springs. About all air shocks do is raise the back of the car, unload the suspension when you accelerate, and screw up the handling. Sounds like you might need to get some different wheels and do some mods on your wheel wells.

..??...The spring manufactors have designed multi-leaf springs to replace the OEM mono design...Doesn't change the riding height...so you can add longer rear shackles to increase the body to tire distance.....Yeah Berklesnort..We're on a roll today.!!...Skookum.!!!!....

Thats probobly it, my nova didnt origonally have posi. Man that helped me out a lot! Thanks to the rest of you guys to, you gave me a good perspective of how springs are so much more important then shocks.

Ive got another question though

My friend offered me the leafsprings out of his 73 chevy truck for free. Would they work on my 74 nova?

Thanks again
-Chris

I would also go with a new or newer spring, the wrecking yards are full of different springs with all kinds of thicknesses and tensions. Just measure from the center of your front mounting bolt to the center of the rear one to get what length you need. I may be mistaken but I think that thicker metal springs are stiffer on your light car, say a pick-up spring providing they are the right length. I have also added coil over shocks in the rear to get more stiffness but never..never use air shocks. They really mess everything up in the way the car works.

Something for traction also is the way the car transfers it's weight under acceleration, too stiff of a rear suspension may not be the best thing. You want the weight of the car to shift back onto the rear wheels as fast as possible to give the rear wheels everything the car has. If it is too stiff, it won't allow the weight to shift back on the rear tires so you'll just sit there and spin.