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Bugeye rear leaf springs

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Keith_M

Keith_M

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While restoring my '59 bugeye, I installed new 1/4 elliptical springs. However, the back end of the car now sits a little too high--maybe an inch or two. The springs seem very stiff, so I doubt that they'll sag enough in the short term to make the car sit correctly. I can see two options:
1. have the springs professionally 'dearched' a little
2. remove a leaf or two

Has anyone had any success with either option?

Thanks,
Keith
 
Rut

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Keith,
Ive never had to adjust the rear springs, but I’ve seen people take a couple or three leaves from the top and put them on the bottom. This drops the rear and lightens the spring rate somewhat.
Rut
 
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Keith_M

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Rut said:
Keith,
Ive never had to adjust the rear springs, but I’ve seen people take a couple or three leaves from the top and put them on the bottom. This drops the rear and lightens the spring rate somewhat.
Rut
Click to expand...

Interesting idea. That would preserve the thickness at the mounting point. Thanks!
 
bugedd

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That is an issue with the new springs, raises the rear end a lot. There have been discussions on removing leafs (this will also soften it up a bit which can be nice if oversprung), moving leafs around, and wedges found from Peter May....see 2.9 .....https://www.petermayengineering.com/specialistProducts.htm
Mine has aftermarket springs meant for race applications, took a bit of shimming with wedges and spacers to level her out and get the ride how I wanted it. Trail and error.
 
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hcallaway

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  • hcallaway
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    Jedi TraineeJoin DateJan 2016LocationRichmond VAPosts303Chats0

    [h=2]Re: Richmond VA 1960 Bugeye Bringing Miss Eva back to life.[/h]
    I went to hang the rear end and I did not like the spring height. After reading many posts I decided to take the top 3 leafs off the 10 leaf replacement springs and move them to the bottom. Right off the bat I lowered the springs by 3/4". Also I will benefit from a softer ride and should pick up another 1-2 inches when the suspension is loaded.
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  • 09-06-2017, 09:27 PM
    #250​
    hcallaway
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    Jedi TraineeJoin DateJan 2016LocationRichmond VAPosts303Chats0

    [h=2]Re: Richmond VA 1960[/h]

 
SD Bugeye

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Doesn’t speedwell make some wedges for this issue ?
may have been another outfit but pretty sure there are wedges available
 
JPSmit

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Might be worth driving it a bit first. I had my springs de arched - and I shouldn't have. Mine were admittedly original but between their age and my weight it wasn't necessary. Let them settle.
 
smaceng

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I received a set of "new" HD springs with my basket BE. Thinking new is better, I installed them. Back end way too high.
Took them out and did what you did, three leaves from the top to the bottom.....Back end still too high. Put the original springs back in.....just right!
Scott in CA
 
N

nomad

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I bought one of the new springs on E-bay and used it to make up a couple of leafs to re-enforce my original spring pack. All that was needed to stop them bottoming out in sharp dip's.

Kurt.
 
Jim_Gruber

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Kurt an interesting thought. Have 2 10 Leaf Springs. Had not considered moving one or two of the thicker leafs over. Which one's did you move. I may consider pulling a leaf or two as I am bottoming out on sharp dips and dragging the exhaust pipe on sharp dips especially with a passenger on board. And now I'm not going to tell Kate she needs to lose a few lbs before Spring Driving Season restarts.

Gray and gloomy in Dayton, OH with temps going below 0 coming for next week. Can't wait to move to Florida.
 
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I replaced the top two leaf's, Jim. In hind sight though I would maybe replace just one. Maybe the second leaf down. Mine are pretty stiff now and a bit too high in the rear. Haven't decided whether to take a leaf out or fit a small wedge to make them perfect. I did cut a thick leaf to make it fit without interfering with the leaf locators. Used a friction cut off saw. Also the job gave me a reason to clean and Slip Plate the leaf's.

Kurt.
 
Jim_Gruber

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So you replaced the short leaf's not one of the long ones. Even though I used slip plate, derusted, painted, and the slip plates and repainted the springs do give as definite squeak when I get into the car. And it may be they need to do some more wearing together for a while. Only about 500 miles I was able to put on Bugsy this Fall.
 
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nomad

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Yeah, I haven't put enough miles on to decide what I like with my modification. Pretty stiff and a little high....soooo, can I live with the stiff? If so then I need a wedge to lower them a bit, oooor, do I take a leaf out and not have to lower them. I will have a couple of leafs of the heavier spring that could be used to beef up the originals if someone needs them. No need to change the spring bolts if you only change one or two.

Kurt.
 
Jim_Gruber

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Kurt, I have a set of 10 leaf springs that someone is interested in. I'll take 1 or 2 leafs per side from you to swap out for 1 or 2 on an OEM 15 leaf Spring setup. One I'm sure will work, two might be an issue with the U bolts that hold things together.
 
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nomad

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Whoops, I am talking about taking one or two leafs from the stiff replacement springs which are 10 leaf and replacing one or two in the original 15 leaf. I think I was getting my springs mixed up and may have misled you. The ones I have left will need to be cut to length. I would try just replacing the one that reaches almost to the first spring pack locator. Of course the condition of the original springs will have a bearing on how much help they need. My car is a rust free one that spent most of its life in Glendale Cali. and springs were pretty good.

Going to be leaving tomorrow for my daughters place so can you wait till after Christmas?

Kurt.
 
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Keith_M

Keith_M

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Lots of great ideas here, as usual. I think I'll buy and install some shims first, then start moving leaves from the top to the bottom until it sits right. PeterMay appears to make them. Anybody know of any other places to get them?

Keith
 
Jim_Gruber

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John Felt had some made up see bugeyeparts.com listing under new parts IIRC as lowering wedges. NFI.
 
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