Leaf springs or helper springs?

[Mel]

My '59 dodge has a bad case of rear end sag.... The leaf springs sag under any load and my rigged exhaust scraps like mad. (And the flexpipe has flattened to half it's original size)

New leaf springs would be nice, but too spendy for me right now.

Would a set of helper springs make any difference? If so, would helper springs buy me more time until they finally snap?

Anyone have any experience with leaf springs breaking before?

Thanks in advance!
~Melissa

[Bugman]

A side note... Mel's springs are flat. When weight is applied, such as people in the car, the springs curve the wrong way.

[manyolcars]

If you are as poor as I am, you can re-arch them at home yourself. Disassemble the spring packs, chalk the profile of each leaf on the floor (for reference), place two pieces of railroad track about 8? inches apart, lay each leaf across the tracks, strike center of leaf between tracks with heavy hammer, move leaf, repeat, compare to chalk line to see progress. This info courtesy of the ahooga.com forum, home of the best Model A info.

[Fraz]

Mel's Dodge's ass hangs low,
And it wobbles to and fro.
It will scrape the smallest rocks,
As it grinds on down the road.....

Sorry, no help, just popped into my head, thought I'd share. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Tim]

air shocks?

[TWO]

I've used the helper coils before on saggy leafs. Not a great ride but they got me by.

[Mel]

manyolcars- hmmm sounds like a long afternoon of fun. I haven't a clue where to get some railroad tracks around here without "borrowing" some from the tracks across town. Thanks for the info... you got me thinking...

~Melissa

[manyolcars]

It doesnt have to be railroad track but whatever it is, is gonna have to be solid!

[Mel]

good to know.

Fraz http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[CruZer]

If you have a shop near you that does spring work,having them re-arched is pretty cheap.If you can't find a shop ask a local trucker or construction outfit,they'd know.I had a couple done for $25. Just be careful and don't go too far.

[vicjerry007]

I have helper springs (http://www.jcwhitney.com/helper-spring/c11309j1s17.jcwx) in the back of my 98, I love them. I had my motor in the back and drove from n.y to va no problem, couldnt feel the weight. Im actually taking them off because the rear of my truck sits a little high.

[vicjerry007]

double post. :)