spring blocks

Ok, I put aside yard work today, and tackled the rear springs on the nomad. I found a reasonably flat section of driveway, and pulled out the spacers the Colorado shop put in the springs. I marked the tires where the fenders touched the tires. Then I removed the pins from upper links, the shocks, and dropped the axle down, until the springs came loose. I ma some measurements, and began fabricating some blocks for the springs to sit on, using 1/8" wall 3" pipe and 1/4" plate. Got them about 3/4 finished. Not going to make them pretty, they will match the rest of the undercarriage: rusty. The drivers spring is letting the rear sit a full 2" lower, compared to passenger side. So, I'm making it taller, hoping to get it right the first time, but springs don't always compress the way you expect.

Pics later, the phone was too weak to flash.

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/n...e/IMAG0341.jpg

I need a lathe, and better welder.

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/n...e/IMAG0342.jpg

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/n...e/IMAG0343.jpg

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/n...e/IMAG0344.jpg

It seems to sit a tad higher on the passenger side, but I really can't say for sure until I fill the tank, and sit it on some dead level ground and take measurements.

The line on the tire is where the fender well sat on that side.

I really don't think the drivers side spring is the same as the passenger.

Until new springs are on the agenda, I think it will roll

Oh, BTW, total cost for the spring blocks $5

Problem solved = Great job!

Well, you have it level, and it's an innovative approach but if it was sitting that far off of level those springs are shot from being overloaded or are the wrong springs for the wagon. Not sure what year your Chevelle is, but as an example the rear springs for a '69-'72 are less than a hundred bucks (RockAuto Parts Catalog) and you're fixed right, or you can go to a good spring shop and for not much more they'll twist up a set to get the ride height where you want it.

I agree, the springs are garbage.

I'll look into replacement.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by firebird77clone

I agree, the springs are garbage. I'll look into replacement.

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Whew! I was concerned you might be thinking I was busting your chops!! :LOL::LOL:

Reminded me of years back at the USN air base in Corpus - had a gas truck driver named Hector that must have tipped the scales at 450# to 500# :eek: I mean this guy was so big his gut hung into the fuel truck steering wheel, so he had to pull the wheel through the fat to turn around the planes, and he NEVER wanted to get out of the truck!! Saw him pull through the gate one morning in his old '56 Chevy, sagging about 6" lower to the driver's side:eek::LOL::LOL: Funny thing was, he stopped at the Navy Exchange to buy some junk food for breakfast, and as he got out of the car it STAYED THAT WAY!!:LOL::LOL::LOL::LOL: The DS springs had been so severely overloaded for so long that they were totally flat!!

Sorry for the hijack, old memories!!:LOL::LOL:

Good stuff. My Vega leans in on the drivers side too.

So what is that little short drive shaft for???????????????

And do you store gas cans under your welder also???????????

The short shaft came with the ford 9" I recently picked up. ( see my thread proposal tot rod.)
And no, I don't keep the gas under that storage shelf. It's at least three feet away.

Well throw the drive shaft away--its got the ends timed wrong----------

What's the proper alignment?

It will only viberate a LITTLE ----90degrees from where it is The cross's should be in same plane

I should have caught that. I sure hope the rear was narrowed by someone different from whom did the rest of it.

What are your long term plans for the wagon? My Gramps bought a wagon like that new.

Would like to sell it, for a decent price.

But for now, I'm fixing some rust in the rear quarters.