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Too high! Rear Spring Shims

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msoylemez

msoylemez

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Ok, so I installed my new (Vic Brit) rear springs this weekend, and voila! the car is now officially sitting about a foot higher than it should...ok, slight exageration, but sitting way too high. I had already removed the top 2 spring leaves, but will go back and remove another (for 3 removed total). This should help. Once the car is rebuilt, I know the weight will also help settle it down...but I know these two things are not enough. SO, I guess I have to add the shims that I asked the BCF community about last month.

My question: Where can I get shims? This may be a super easy question--sorry if it underlines my ignorance.

Please know I am not a metal fabricator. In fact, I have no tools or skills in this regard--so all of the "custom" creations that so many of you all on this site are fond of/capable of are simply not available to me.

That having been said, where should I find some? How thick should they be? How many? Pretty much all of the answers a person with this problem--and with not very much experience would need.

BTW, I am not comfortable "bending" the springs myself. I am too concerned about not being able to bend the springs identically on the right and left side. The last thing I want is a car that not only sits too high, but also leans to one side...

Thanks!

Mustafa
 
Oh me. Think I am going to have to go the new spring route as well.
 
Summit Racing Products has the shims, that I believe you are talking about, they are called "wedges".

I believe that you want to install them under the spring (1/4 eliptical)with the thicker side facing back. This is one of my next projects because I am also sitting up to high.

I had bought the moss rally springs (10 leaf) and removed the fifth one. I am sitting about 1/2 inch higher then my brothers bug eye with the original springs.

Make sure that the weight is on the vehicle before tightening any of the nuts and bolts.

Jack, see if you can find the original springs. I have found these rally ones too stiff and high for my likings.
 
Yes, it worked! This weekend, I took out the third spring leaf (I had already taken the top two off already), bought the Summit Racing grooved aluminum wedges (had them cut to the width of the spring--about 1.5 inches, then cut the length a bit to fit the spring pan length), stacked 2 wedges on top of each other, then bolted everything up for each side.

Happily, the diff and wheels now fill the wheel well much better. With some more weight (fuel tank, seats, spare tire, etc) I think it will be a perfect fit.

Thanks GB1 for the tip. And hope this helps others who are deciding what to do about the (over) stiffness of the Vic British aftermarket 1/4 rear springs for bugeyes...
 
Thanks Msoylemez

Have the shims sitting on my coffee table, been too cold here hopefully this weekend. Learned about the wedges here. Hopefully this weekend it will be warm enough to do them and I spoke with the machine shop yesterday and they are almost done with the engine mods.

I am off 5/8" and am thinking about one wedge and to remove another leaf, probably the top one or two (already removed number 5).

Thanks, thanks thanks to all on this forum!!!
 
What are you useing for spring straps, the clamp things mid spring, they had to be cut off?
 
Jack,

I had original redone by Paeco, they were mess (20x yrs ago). Came with new metal straps (vs u bolts) would think that a spring ahop would have. Sorry ditched them
 
With the 1/4 eliptical spring 4 link rear suspension the drive shaft angle shouldn't be of any concern. If the links are stock and the springs are stock the angle will stay the same.
 
thanks Jolly very true

been experimenting here and pulling out leaves, tucking in shims wedges and the like.

Playing with my erector set until I get parts back from the maching shop.

Seriously mine always sat a bit too high, and when I put in Moss rally springs, it didn't come down.

So I've been playing to get it to a desirable even height while I have some spare time.

I will check the pinion angle as a precaution.
 
the best way to lower the car is to de-arch the springs. Take the almost all the arch out of the longest leafs. All ya need is a hammer and an anvil oe big bench vise....and a bit of time.
 
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