springs springs springs

Discussion in 'The whoa and the sway.' started by tlivingd, Dec 26, 2004.

  1. tlivingd

    tlivingd BIG BLOCK, THE ANTI PRIUS

    Hey guys went to change the springs in my skylark convertible. is it normal for the GS springs to be about 2" shorter than the skylark springs? (my new MOOG GS spring is.) it appears to be stiffer though. just wondering.

    btw. I had to remove the upper suspension arm (or use a spring compressor) to get these springs out.

    also does anyone have a part number to x-ref for the rubber spacer that sits on the top of the spring when it's mounted my autoparts stores can't find it in their catalogs.

    -nate
     
  2. flynbuick

    flynbuick Guest

    I would be concerned you may not have been given the correct spring this time or the wrong spring was used in the past and you have installed the correct one.


    It your model is like a 70 only the rears have the isolators. Many places sell them. I like

    www.espo.com for sales. service , price and accuracy.
     
  3. sleke

    sleke Well-Known Member

    I had the same issue with PST about 4 years ago. It turned out they sent 4 rear coils instead of 2 fr. & 2 rear. The isolators are used only on the rear & are available from PST for $10.00 (Performance Suspension Technology)
     
  4. flynbuick

    flynbuick Guest

    Espo( a/k/a Springs n' Things) sells the same or better stuff than PST in my experience at a much better price.
     
  5. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    Nate,
    It is possible for the springs to be shorter in their uninstalled condition, but still provide the correct ride height. It all depends on the spring rate. The GSCA sells some really great ride handling springs for our cars. I have used them in the past, and been very satisfied.
     
  6. StratoBlue72

    StratoBlue72 Well-Known Member

    I agree with everything Larry just mentioned, as I recently installed a complete set of the GSCA springs in my 72 Stage 1 conv., and was very impressed with the ride and handling. It probably sits a 1/2" taller in the front than it did, but will probably settle down a little after driving it for awhile. The rear springs were a variable rate, which is far superior to a standard spring.
    The rubber insulators for the rear springs are still available through GM
    with the part #1366500. I think they are only a couple dollars each.
    The only thing ever used on the top of a 68-72 A-body front spring was a steel spacer or shim to band-aid fix a sagging spring.
    On the front springs Moog only manufactures about 12 different springs for all A-body cars, where originally there were probably several dozen different springs.
    I have a CarQuest Spring Catalog, which is the same as the Moog Catalog.
    For your application it shows a #5536 for H.D. without A/C and a #5398 for Std. Duty with A/C.
    The #5536 has a .690 or 11/16" wire dia., and a free length of 15.13 or 15-1/8".
    The #5398 has a .656 or 21/32" wire dia., and a free length of 16.06 or 16-1/16".

    Tim
     
  7. tlivingd

    tlivingd BIG BLOCK, THE ANTI PRIUS

    doh... i forgot to add it's the rear springs where there are 3 choices.
     
  8. Marco

    Marco Well-Known Member

    What springs did you get?

    www.espo.com gave me MOOG CC501 springs and my GS sits level :TU:
     
  9. Ken Mild

    Ken Mild King of 18 Year Resto's

    Only problem I found is that their website is annoying as all hell. I could not locate the isolators to save my life! :rant:
     
  10. flynbuick

    flynbuick Guest


    Just call her. She reallly knows her stuff. She is a round track racer. I have bought isolators from her.
     
  11. tlivingd

    tlivingd BIG BLOCK, THE ANTI PRIUS

    this whole thing gets dicey. I was given the moog 5385's the number for a 70 gs they were 2" too short and 3" shorter than what I removed. They'd fall out of the car if i were to lift via the body/frame.(the ones for a 70 GS. are the same for a sportwagon:puzzled: they were supposed to be 13.9" (info from MOOG)but were 11.75") now the standard springs are supposed to be 12.9" and they were actually .25" longer than the 5385's i recieved but at 12.0", but again too short. I want to avoid the CC501's cause they're cargo coils. Marco, Do you like the ride with those?

    now I looked in the MOOG catalog and they have standard springs for the 69 chevelle convertible (same as the chevelle 4dr) that are 14.9" long this length is the same as the cc501's according to MOOG's tech) (the heavy duty were the 5385's, I have on order from the parts store are the MOOG 69 chevelle convertible springs.
    If I were to do it again i'd proly find out how to order the GSCA ones, but i gotta get this car out of my parents garage.

    btw to remove the old springs I had to remove the upper suspension links that connect to the axle that i was going to do anyway, or use a spring compressor. also the height of the ones I removed are 15".
    I checked the ride height and the MOOG GS springs only lifted the car about 1" from the old saggy ones, I currently have and they're new. I'd asume I'd lose atleast 1/2" in a year. It looked really good with the stance though.

    the shocks i have are monroe sensatrac, and are the same extended length of what i removed (old sears shocks) and that shock number is listed for both GS and skylark. now these springs and incorrect shocks but after seeing the lack of tolerance in MOOG springs I'm a little worried about the quality of their springs.


    PITA!!
    -nate
     
  12. Marco

    Marco Well-Known Member

    Hi Nate -

    The few times I've had the car out since the new suspension (about 5 times and roughly 15 total hours) I loved it.

    Here is some additional information on 'Cargo Springs'.


    Where did you buy the springs?
     
  13. tlivingd

    tlivingd BIG BLOCK, THE ANTI PRIUS

    the place is LEE Autoparts, I can't rember what chain they're part of. they are the only place in my area that sells moog parts. DOH the cargo's are the progressive rate ones... crud oh well, we'll see how the convertible ones work.

    -nate
     

Share This Page