Leaf Springs for a 1957 Cadillac supplier recomended

[Bill Balkie 24172]

Hello ,
    i always plan and try to do a little bit of work  to my car in the off season .Last year i replaced front wheel bearing and was able to locate 4 good original drums with plenty of surface to re cut .  This year i would like to change the Leaf Springs . Before doing so how do you know that your leaf springs are tired and need replacing ? The car sits fine. the leaf springs are 60 years old . Again what is a tell tail sign that the leaf spring should be replaced . And if so can any body recommend  a source for good quality Springs

    Thank you ,
        Bill

[Cadillac Jack 82]

Eaton Springs or this Ebay auction:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-REAR-LEAF-SPRINGS-FOR-1954-1957-CADILLAC-5-LEAF/352224833203?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

[35-709]

The measurements for the ride heights and where to measure them from are in your shop manual.  I would start there and see just how much the springs are really sagging, if at all.

[jaxops]

I went through Stengel Brothers.  I had to have mine custom made for 11 leaves for the 49 limousine.https://www.stengelbros.net/INDEX.HTML

[Carl Schreiber]

Bill -

One other thing you may want to consider - shop manual shows an optional 6-leaf heavy duty spring having been available.  Perhaps worth considering.  Hope all is well

Regards, Carl

[Jon S]

Bill -

One other thing you may want to consider - shop manual shows an optional 6-leaf heavy duty spring having been available.  Perhaps worth considering.  Hope all is well

Regards, Carl

I would stick with the regular springs; not heavy duty ones unless you plan to haul a trailer.  Most aftermarket springs make the car too high in the rear and destroys the look of the car.  I agree start with the shop manual measurements and the springs although over 60 years old may still be in perfect condition.

[Bill Balkie 24172]

Eaton Springs or this Ebay auction: Hello Tim , Thank you for the information . i will call Eaton Detroit Today and compair prices .  thank You, Bill

https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-REAR-LEAF-SPRINGS-FOR-1954-1957-CADILLAC-5-LEAF/352224833203?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

[Bill Balkie 24172]

Eaton Springs or this Ebay auction:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-REAR-LEAF-SPRINGS-FOR-1954-1957-CADILLAC-5-LEAF/352224833203?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

The measurements for the ride heights and where to measure them from are in your shop manual.  I would start there and see just how much the springs are really sagging, if at all.

The measurements for the ride heights and where to measure them from are in your shop manual.  I would start there and see just how much the springs are really sagging, if at all.

Thank you G. I did find the measurement in the shop manual . minimum should be about 5  7/16  Mine is on the low around 5 5/8  with the gas tank filled and the trunk emptied . however the car looks like it is sitting OK . as a reference i measured the top of my fin . Both are 40 3/4   from the ground up . Lining up the tip of the fin with the center of taillight  as a plane .

[Dan LeBlanc]

Sounds like a lot of bother if the car rides fine to get 3/16" that nobody would ever notice.

[35-709]

Indeed.

[Jon S]

5 5/8 is 5 10/16. Higher than 5 5/16. You are fine!

[Jeff Rosansky CLC #28373]

I'm going to halfway hijack this thread.
What about lubing the springs? If I remember correctly the book says no lube necessary but after 60+ years they should need something. I just sprayed some silicone on mine when we woke her up. No squeeks. Should I use anything else?
Jeff

[Dan LeBlanc]

If you ever plan on getting the car painted, put that silicone lube away ASAP!

[newhauser]

Hi,
I am toward the end  of rebuilding my rear suspension (57 s62).  One of my springs broke so I had about 2" of sag.  I ordered from Eaton and have been impressed with the quality of the springs and shackles.  Overall a good impression so far, but they are struggling with a few things.  Dry fitting revealed the front spring clamps were missing the nuts to secure the parking brake cable.  So I had to locate some oversize square nuts and tack weld them on.  The U bolts they sent were the wrong size (I am waiting for set #3 to arrive).  As for originality, it seems Eaton is good but spring clamps are modern, the spring liners are modern, the nuts they provide in the installation kit are modern (flange nuts instead of high nuts for the u bolts, for example).
So, what you could do is to have your springs serviced (new liners for example), put in new bushings and fasteners, and keep all the good parts to preserve originality.  I have no experience with judged competitions, so I'm not sure how much things like spring clamps matter.

The other thing I am realizing now is that I should have lined up someone to work on my rear end (leaking pinion seal).  If you go to the trouble of taking apart your rear suspension, and you have any differential issues, or if you just want to clean it up, this would be the opportune time. 

I am writing up an article on this whole experience that I will submit to the CLC newsletter.  In a few weeks I will have it done, baring any delays with getting the last the parts and final installation.  The research for the project and the writing of the article took about 3 to 4 times the amount of time the actual work has taken.
 
If you are not in a hurry, it might be worth the wait.  If anyone wants to volunteer to be a proof reader, let me know. 

Wayne Newhauser       


PS.  Someone mentioned lubricating the liners.  the originals were wax impregnated cloth liners and I believe I read somewhere they were not to be lubricated.  There is a piece in the Serviceman and there is another in the suppliment to the Serviceman.   I have not yet found out if replacement lines are available in the original style.  The fact that they last 60 years is high priase, indeed, for that type of liner.