News:

Due to a technical issue, some recently uploaded pictures have been lost. We are investigating why this happened but the issue has been resolved so that future uploads should be safe.  You can also Modify your post (MORE...) and re-upload the pictures in your post.

Main Menu

Replacing coil springs and rear leafs, any suggestions?

Started by 55 ledsled, August 15, 2017, 04:12:24 PM

Previous topic - Next topic

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

55 ledsled

Hello,
I noticed a cracked leaf spring in my 55 sedan and want to replace my rear leaf springs and front coil springs with 2" lower springs. Does anyone have any good advice for getting this done easy and efficiently? I also have never taken apart a front spring system like the one on the caddy. Anyone have any videos or suggestions on the removal of the front springs?
Thanks

The Tassie Devil(le)

Replacing the rear springs is easy, after taking the necessary precautions, as in jack stands, etc.

The front coils require a good spring compressor set to perform the task.

The energy contained in a compressed coil spring is huge, and can destroy anything within range if it flies

Bruce. >:D
'72 Eldorado Convertible (LHD)
'70 Ranchero Squire (RHD)
'74 Chris Craft Gull Wing (SH)
'02 VX Series II Holden Commodore SS Sedan
(Past President Modified Chapter)

Past Cars of significance - to me
1935 Ford 3 Window Coupe
1936 Ford 5 Window Coupe
1937 Chevrolet Sports Coupe
1955 Chevrolet Convertible
1959 Ford Fairlane Ranch Wagon
1960 Cadillac CDV
1972 Cadillac Eldorado Coupe

Chas

For the front coils, you want to call Coil Spring Specialties in Kansas. They'll make basically whatever you want. Tell them the car you have, what engine, and whether or not it has AC. Then, tell them you want a ride height 2 inches lower than stock. About a week later, a nice box will appear at your doorstep with the exact springs you specified. Don't forget to cut an inch or two off your rubber bump stops. Whatever you do, don't cut a turn off your existing coils, and NEVER heat up a coil to get it to settle lower! As far as the leafs, take them to your local spring shop to have the broken ones repaired. Also tell them to arch them back to stock. The same place will probably be able to sell you 2 inch lowering blocks, along with the correct longer "U" bolts. I've used lowing blocks on various cars for years with no problems. You only get in trouble if you go with something more than a 4 inch drop.
1967 Coupe DeVille
1970 Coupe DeVille
1976 Coupe DeVille
1983 Coupe DeVille
1977 Harley Cafe Racer
1991 Harley Fat Boy
1957 Harley Hardtail
1949 Lusse Bumper Car
If you're 25 years old and not a liberal, you have no heart. If you're 45 years old and not a conservative, you have no money!

Jay Friedman

#3
I've written a how-to article (which appeared in the Self Starter in Oct. '14) on removing and replacing the front coil springs on 1937 to 1956 Cadillacs and LaSalles.  If anyone would like a copy, email me your postal mailing address at jaysfriedman@yahoo.com and I'll mail you a copy.  (Sorry, but it is too large for my email provider and I'm not good at posting things to this web site.)
1949 Cadillac 6107 Club Coupe
1932 Ford V8 Phaeton (restored, not a rod).  Sold
Decatur, Georgia
CLC # 3210, since 1984
"If it won't work, get a bigger hammer."

Glen

Jay, I was able to scan that article in as a PDF and it is 1.3 meg.  I think that can be uploaded here.  If there are no objections I can upload it. 
Glen Houlton CLC #727 
CLCMRC benefactor #104

Jay Friedman

Glen,

Please use it as you see fit.

I should say, however, that many mechanics feel that unlike what I wrote in the article, a better way to replace a front coil spring is to use the Chilton Repair Manual method which is to remove the lower INNER A-frame shaft and lower the A-frame by pivoting it at the lower outer pin. 

CLCer Bob Schuman (in Illinois) is currently having the front springs on his '41 replaced by a mechanic using the Chilton method, so you may want to contact him.

Jay

Jay
1949 Cadillac 6107 Club Coupe
1932 Ford V8 Phaeton (restored, not a rod).  Sold
Decatur, Georgia
CLC # 3210, since 1984
"If it won't work, get a bigger hammer."

Caddy Wizard

I like buying springs from EATON Detroit springs -- the OEM manufacturer.  Great quality.  Also, they sell excellent installation bits (rubber pads, bushings, U-bolts, etc.) to go with the springs.
Art Gardner


1955 S60 Fleetwood sedan (now under resto -- has been in paint shop since June 2022!)
1955 S62 Coupe (future show car? 2/3 done)
1958 Eldo Seville (2/3 done)

Steve Passmore

Quote from: Jay Friedman on August 22, 2017, 08:54:00 AM
Glen,

Please use it as you see fit.

I should say, however, that many mechanics feel that unlike what I wrote in the article, a better way to replace a front coil spring is to use the Chilton Repair Manual method which is to remove the lower INNER A-frame shaft and lower the A-frame by pivoting it at the lower outer pin. 

Jay

That's the way I have always done it. I used to do it with trolly jack and the car jacked up but since having a lift fitted it's easy. I support the bottom A frame under the outer edge with a transmission jack. Undo the bottom pin and just lower it down. The A frame only has to reach about 45 degrees and the coil will drop out.
Steve

Present
1937 60 convertible coupe
1941 62 convertible coupe
1941 62 coupe

Previous
1936 70 Sport coupe
1937 85 series V12 sedan
1938 60 coupe
1938 50 coupe
1939 60S
1940 62 coupe
1941 62 convertible coupe x2
1941 61 coupe
1941 61 sedan x2
1941 62 sedan x2
1947 62 sedan
1959 62 coupe

Jay Friedman

Steve,

If I understand what you wrote correctly, that is the method I described in the SS article; that is, to undo the lower outer pin and lower the A-frame with a jack as it pivots on the lower inner shaft.  What I called the "Chilton" method in the article--a method I've never done myself--is to lower the inner end of the A-frame as it pivots on the lower outer shaft.
1949 Cadillac 6107 Club Coupe
1932 Ford V8 Phaeton (restored, not a rod).  Sold
Decatur, Georgia
CLC # 3210, since 1984
"If it won't work, get a bigger hammer."

Steve Passmore

I don't like the idea of that method much Jay as when the inner shaft is undone there is absolutely nothing stabilizing the control arm and power of the spring. The whole thing could fly outwards. With just the outer pin removed the whole thing is held by the inner shaft. Much safer.
A friend of mine used the other method when he couldn't get his car high enough. He managed it but said it was a little nerve racking.
Steve

Present
1937 60 convertible coupe
1941 62 convertible coupe
1941 62 coupe

Previous
1936 70 Sport coupe
1937 85 series V12 sedan
1938 60 coupe
1938 50 coupe
1939 60S
1940 62 coupe
1941 62 convertible coupe x2
1941 61 coupe
1941 61 sedan x2
1941 62 sedan x2
1947 62 sedan
1959 62 coupe

Jay Friedman

Steve,

I have always done it by removing the outer pin.  Until you mentioned it, I never thought of the safety issue if the inner pin was removed, but you are absolutely right and I agree with you.
1949 Cadillac 6107 Club Coupe
1932 Ford V8 Phaeton (restored, not a rod).  Sold
Decatur, Georgia
CLC # 3210, since 1984
"If it won't work, get a bigger hammer."

rich neary

OPGI advertises 2" lower front coil springs for 57-60. A phone call to them may help find a source for your 55.
https://www.opgi.com/cadillac
Rich
Rich Neary
Statesville, NC

1957 Series 60 Fleetwood
2013 CTS
1955 Jaguar XK140MC  FHC
1965 Deville Convertible
1998 Jaguar XK8 Coupe

Glen

Glen Houlton CLC #727 
CLCMRC benefactor #104