Leaf Springs

sinny · Post by **sinny** » Mon Dec 05, 11 2:26 pm

Right, I was thinking of going for a new set of Hotchkis leafs but they aren't cheap & I'm not sure how good they would accually be over stock so my questions are:

1. Do I actually need new ones? My existing ones are pictured below, how do I tell if they are ok?

If they are Bananarama!:

2. I can get some Mopar Performance (Hemi/RT spec) ones for only a little more cash than having my ones re-tempered but are the Mopar Performace ones any good?

I'm happy for the ride height to drop around an inch, just want reasonable handling. Recommendations please Guy's.

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Mon Dec 05, 11 2:34 pm

Old leaf springs will have sagged and gone soft over the years and need re-tempering or replacing.

Re-tempering will return them to stock but if they have sagged it will still be low at the back as the arch of the spring needs to be known when they re-temper them.

The MP springs have had a bad rep in recent years. Badly made and from poor quality steel. The hotchkis ones will be awesome but expensive as you say.

Stiffer rear spring rates need to be matched with stiffer front spring rates otherwise your car will oversteer.

ANTON · Post by **ANTON** » Mon Dec 05, 11 2:34 pm

Hi Sinny

I would keep your ones and have them re-tempered and add one more leaf to improve the handling. Most modern spring don't use the same quality steel as our original ones so any new ones you by will sag far quicker than your original one.

AllKiller · Post by **AllKiller** » Mon Dec 05, 11 2:42 pm

Put some Mopar Super Stock springs on mine... from Dunc....made a massive difference to Handling, Stance and Launch

Adrian Worman · Post by **Adrian Worman** » Mon Dec 05, 11 3:15 pm

I put Hotchkis springs and torsion bars on my Challenger, the bars were fair but the springs were over 5oo quid, having said that they are Bananarama! brilliant, never thought a fat old car like this could corner flat and still give a good standard of ride, if you can afford it I'd say go for it

sinny · Post by **sinny** » Mon Dec 05, 11 4:02 pm

I think you're right Adrian. After all of the cash I've put in to the car & the fact that I'm building it to keep, it's worth while going the extra few quid & getting the Hotchkis ones.

The order has therefore been placed with Wasp.

Thanks for all of your advice guy's.