Thread: Questions on adjusting shocks & spring rates on my '32

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......Hello Everyone, I hope & pray that everyone is having a fun & safe ***Labor Day*** Week-end. Cuz I AM!!! ..... I've mentioned before that my car doesn't ride very well nor 'hook up' very well. I checked the springs & they say Pete & Jakes, 300/9.5.... What does this mean? & Are these good springs for a confortable ride? Good drag race 'hooking'? or What??? Also, my shocks are made by American & have an adjustable knob on them that goes from 1 to 6. Is anyone familiar with these shocks? (I went to their web site but it didn't say anything about adjusting them). How should they be adjusted for comfort? for drag racing? As always, THANKS for all your replys, Bill

ps, ***ah yeah, make that Memorial Day***

Bill,

I assume you're talking about rear shocks. 300 should be the spring rate, and 9.5 the spring length. Generally, the ride stiffens as you rotate the knob clockwise. Unless they have dual knobs, the adjustment is usually for rebound - not compression.

300# seems a bit hefty on an 9" spring on the rear of a '32 coupe. 200 - 250# or so feels a lot closer to me. However, every shock company has different recommended spring rates for similar vehicles.

For example, Aldan recommends 200# on 9" - 10" springs in 29 - 32 full-fendered coupes. QA-1 says 250#.

Other than that, I don't know what to tell you. I think there's some witchcraft involved.

....THANK YOU Jack! Yes, rear shocks w/ a single knob, so I'll turn the knob counter clock wise to get it to ride better. Gee whiz, I didn't even THINK to call American & ask THEM what they recommend on my car! I'll do that tomorrow. LOL, witchcraft involved! Have a good one! Bill

Way to heavy a spring on the rear!!!! Must be a real back pounder on the road!!!! I'd drop down to at least 250, maybe 200. Last coupe I built (it was a featherweight) I ende up with 180# springs on the rear.. But, that was with an aluminum SBF with aluminum heads, and ultra light everything. Even the 4 bars and front A-Arms were moly... Yours should do good in the 200-250 range.

Originally Posted by billlsbird

......Hello Everyone, I hope & pray that everyone is having a fun & safe Labor Day Week-end. Cuz I AM!!! ..... I've mentioned before that my car doesn't ride very well nor 'hook up' very well. I checked the springs & they say Pete & Jakes, 300/9.5.... What does this mean? & Are these good springs for a confortable ride? Good drag race 'hooking'? or What??? Also, my shocks are made by American & have an adjustable knob on them that goes from 1 to 6. Is anyone familiar with these shocks? (I went to their web site but it didn't say anything about adjusting them). How should they be adjusted for comfort? for drag racing? As always, THANKS for all your replys, Bill

BILLSBIRD,YOU MUST REALLY BE HAVING A GOOD WEEK END. NO OFFENSE BUT I THINK IT IS MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND,TO REMEMBER THE SUPREME SACRIFICES THAT HAVE BEEN MADE FOR THE FREEDOM WE HAVE.

I HAVE 400# ON THE FRONT AND 300# ON THE REAR .THE RIDE IS A LITTLE FIRM BUT I CAN LIVE WITH IT LOL.

Don In Austin

I totally missed the Labor Day / Memorial Day flip-flop. Either that, or I slept through the summer . . .

That's okay Jack. Summer is here in AZ and it's already too hot.

I'm running 14 Inch QA1's with 120 LB rate in an all steel 31 Ford A Bone. I still wish it rode better. Oh well, one must sacrafice for coolness.

Keith...

.....THANKS Everyone, Yes Dave it rides like a truck!!! I'll call Pete & Jakes tomorrow & order some lighter springs. I didn't see any on their web site. I have their suspension so I might as well get 'em from them. I tried to turn the adjustment knob on the shocks but it doesn't turn, may be I need to use pliers? I'll ask em..... Sorry if I upset ya Don, didn't mean to. Bill

...I called Pete & Jakes today & ordered the 250 springs. They said anything lower than that would have to be special ordered so I'll just try the 250's.... Also ordered a spanner wrench to take shocks off..... Thanks again everyone
Bill