AH 3000 BN7 rear leaf springs modifications.

[Johnny]

I'm considering adding additional leaves to the rear leaf springs on my AH BN7 '60 model. The purpose is to hopefully raise the height. The current springs have seven leaves.

I just put a new muffler on and it has already scraped. I should add that the springs were replaced in 2004, so I assume I would have to make new clips. I have an older set of springs I'm hoping to reuse. Has anyone done this before? How many leaves did you add, and how long were they.

Thanks in advance for any responders.

 

[roscoe]

Johnny,
Not to talk you out of modifying your spring set-up, but you might consider having your old springs re-arched. I know there are many opinions about doing this. Some feel, probably rightfully, that although it may be satisfactory when it is done, it doesn't seem to last. I chose to have my 100 leaf springs re-arched and although I'd like another 1/2 inch, I was very pleased with the overall change I was down almost 2 inches from where it should have been). So far so good (1,100 miles later). The fellows at the spring shop said to bring them back if I want more height. See if there is a good spring shop near you. It cost me less than $100.

 

[Johnny]

Thanks Jon, I did think about having them re-arched but not sure by how much?

 

[roscoe]

Johnny,
I, of course, was not sure how much to re-arch them either. The guys at the spring shop pretty much knew how much to bend them to get the desired change in height. I was lucky, on their wall of photos (classics, hot rods, etc. ) that they had done, there was a very nice looking 100. If nothing else it made me feel good about them. I'm gonna guess that most spring shops that do leaf springs for all sorts of cars and trucks, and have been around for a while, know what to do to get the desired change. Can't hurt to talk to them.

 

[Johnny]

Jon, all, just an update. I located a local leaf spring fabricator called "Saint Louis Spring", go figure. They of course were familiar with all British Cars and their weak springs. After listening to a 10 minute talk on how they cannot be held accountable for breaking a spring, and assuming they can dissassemble the spring, they agreed to re-arch my springs about 2 inches. All went well and they were ready that afternoon in fact. It cost me about $115 and believe me the results were astonishing! The additional 2" makes the car look even better and of course now the muffler won't be dragging over everything.

Here are the numbers;
Before: muffler to ground 1 3/8", center of rear wheels to top of fender arch, 24 7/8".

After: muffler to ground 3 1/8", center of rear wheels to top of fender arch, 26 3/4".

Note: my springs were purchased in 2004 and were still new enough to dissassemble. I would reccomend taking new springs to the spring shop and have them done before putting on the car.