Hi- For our '73 LeSabre, we've tried a bunch of different springs - and all of them ride too harsh. We would like to give our LeSabre that classic "ride on a cloud" suspension again, and it feels like some good springs will be the key to this. Does anyone know a good spring to make our LeSabre ride all "cushy" again? Thanks! -Bob C.
Bob . Are you sure its not the shocks that are giving you the Harsh ride ?? You say you have tried a bunch of different springs but no mention of the shocks .
Yup - tried a bunch of shocks. We have the "softest" ones we can find. It still feels like it rides like a truck. -Bob C.
And what happens to the ride comfort when you take the rear shocks off? If it's still not cushy enough, it's not the shocks and you could check a scrap yard to find yourself two used rear springs from a B-, C- or E-Body Buick from the same era.
Might sound like a dumb question but being that they are 50 years old also, how are the cars seat springs and foams holding up? Just asking
Bummer. I totally get wanting that soft boaty feeling Seems all new springs are generic fit all lately. Have you looked anywhere for NOS AC Delco springs? I think a issue too is the Buick BB is lighter than most big blocks so a Caddy or Olds Big Block spring will be stiffer if the listing is for all B or C body GM cars. Denny Manner I "think" said that was a plus for the Electra's soft ride because the front spring rates were a little softer. Are all the bushings still original? I would hope you have at least 225/75 x 15 in" tires.
Alot of GM AC Delco links and some bring it to these places. They show standard non heavy duty springs. Also if your car doesn't have A/C the springs should be ordered without A/C but I have a feeling you know this. Hard to find years earlier than 1984 it seems on a few sights.
If you already tried a lot of different springs, please post a list. So people trying to help you out here don't post the springs you've already tried.
We'll be going through the front suspension and replacing a bunch of things (especially the ball joints) so this is the time to try new springs. It's been a bunch of years since we went through the exercise, I think the ones we have now are Moog "Heavy Duty" springs - and therein lies the problem. "Heavy Duty" is great for work trucks, but probably the reason we have such a rough ride now. Moog seems to offer a single part number covering dozens (hundreds?) of models, including a bunch of pickup trucks, all of which are the "heavy duty" version. https://www.drivparts.com/part-deta...CH&part_number=5030&part_name=Coil Spring Set It looks like Lesjofers (never heard of them before!) and Eaton / Detroit offer "standard duty" spring. I've never heard of Lesjofers before, so I'm thinking of trying the Eaton spring. Eaton also seems to offer customizable ride height, so I infer that their springs might be custom-made. Has anyone used Eaton "standard duty" springs before? They seem to be my favorite at the moment. I also found a company named "Hypercoils" who will custom-make a spring - but I think they are mostly racecar based (and also I would have to guess at the specifications and I don't want to do that) https://www.hypercoils.com/shop/conventional-springs Obviously hoping for any other thoughts as well! -Bob C. (p.s. yes the seats have been all rebuilt and recovered)
Just 2 minutes ago I searched for opinions on the Lesjofers springs and the biggest complaint was they made the car sit to high. This was on a Mercedes and Alfa forum. There springs have more hardening and the spring coil width is constant through out as where the original factory spring width tapered at the ends. I believe they will be stiffer riding as they are described as restoring original height and made to last. I think they are also called constant rate spring? instead of the factory's variable rate? Does your car have A/C? So Moog is also one of those size fits all too..
I’ve had good luck with Coil Spring Specialities in St. Mary’s Kansas. They can make them to factory specs.
If your really looking for that cushy ride, I would suggest that your not going to find it with any of the spring numbers that are left.. they have consolidated the PN's here in the last few years, and dramatically reduced their offerings. So a custom spring shop might be your only option. JW
Also..make sure that your bushings are not hard as a rock, and anything other than the factory rubber bushings is a no-no for ride quality. JW
Lots of members with cars in the "Boat Load Of Fun" section. Take a look it wouldn't hurt. Alot have restored and changed springs on Electra's, Lesabre's etc.. Even finding a real GM AC Delco parts and dealers they only go back to 1982. Like Jim said i'm guessing even then they have a all fit thing.
