70 Newport Rear springs

[Big_John]

Carriage bolts will NOT work.

The shackle bottoms out against the shoulder of the shackle bolt. This does two things. First it gives the correct clearance for the rubber bushings in the leaf springs. Second, it also makes the shackle stronger by being a solid rectangle. I've seen shackles collapse from not doing this right.

What I would do.... I really think the shorter shackle bolt is the same length as most other Mopar shackles. The leaf spring is the same width, so it stands to reason that the shackle bolt is the same length. I would buy a shackle (if you can buy one!) from Summit or ESPO and press the bolts out and into the old shackle.

Everything tells me this will work.

 

[cld]

Really interesting thread guys. Thanks for the discussion. I have a set of new springs from General Spring waiting to go on my '68. Obviously I don't have the fuselage era staggered/bent shackle but the general tips (such as taking off the front hangers) will be super helpful when I get around to putting these on, since like 70N I am not a mechanic, just an enthusiast with a few tools.

And I should say, good luck getting yours back together! I suspect I will be here on the forum in a week or two with a bunch of questions and issues to bounce off everyone.

 

[commando1]

 

[Samplingman]

Carriage bolts will NOT work.

The shackle bottoms out against the shoulder of the shackle bolt. This does two things. First it gives the correct clearance for the rubber bushings in the leaf springs. Second, it also makes the shackle stronger by being a solid rectangle. I've seen shackles collapse from not doing this right.


What I would do.... I really think the shorter shackle bolt is the same length as most other Mopar shackles. The leaf spring is the same width, so it stands to reason that the shackle bolt is the same length. I would buy a shackle (if you can buy one!) from Summit or ESPO and press the bolts out and into the old shackle.

Everything tells me this will work.

Makes sense, avoids over tightening so everything will move freely.

 

[68plymouth383]

I have a pair of front spring hangers with studs. The threads were all clean, and they didn't fight me to remove from the car.

 

[polara71]

Fronts aren't the problem, usually...

 

[cld]

Fronts aren't the problem, usually...

I didn't mean to threadjack, just used the removal of the front hangers (I think that was Big John's suggestion) as an example of a great insight that would make a spring replacement easier for those of us who don't have previous experience. Thanks everyone.

 

[70NPORT]

Stan replacements for the stock pieces?

 

[commando1]

I know nothing about them, Gary.
Went through their website, read about them in other websites, mostly off-roading.
A lot of custom mounting stuff.
Just seemed like a call to them is better than scratching one's *** at this point.

 

[70NPORT]

Try these guy. They might have it.

Local results for fastenal new jersey
Bing Local
Fastenal
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1
1163 Us Highway 130, Trenton, NJ 08691
(609) 259-4290
Fastenal
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1875 N Olden Avenue Ext, Ewing, NJ 08638
(609) 530-0456
Fastenal
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5043 N Crescent Blvd, Pennsauken, NJ 08110
(856) 488-6175
Fastenal
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140 Mount Holly By Pass Ste 4, Lumberton, NJ 08048
(609) 261-3111
Fastenal
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921 W Route 130, Burlington, NJ 08016
(609) 239-3016

Thanks 68plymouth383 I appreciate your help

 

[70NPORT]

What I would do.... I really think the shorter shackle bolt is the same length as most other Mopar shackles. The leaf spring is the same width, so it stands to reason that the shackle bolt is the same length. I would buy a shackle (if you can buy one!) from Summit or ESPO and press the bolts out and into the old shackle.

Everything tells me this will work.

Agreed. Summit has them under 40 bucks

 

[70NPORT]

Carriage bolts will NOT work.

The shackle bottoms out against the shoulder of the shackle bolt. This does two things. First it gives the correct clearance for the rubber bushings in the leaf springs. Second, it also makes the shackle stronger by being a solid rectangle. I've seen shackles collapse from not doing this right.

What I would do.... I really think the shorter shackle bolt is the same length as most other Mopar shackles. The leaf spring is the same width, so it stands to reason that the shackle bolt is the same length. I would buy a shackle (if you can buy one!) from Summit or ESPO and press the bolts out and into the old shackle.

Everything tells me this will work.

actually my shackle width is a good 3.5"...thats the narrow end

 

[Big_John]

actually my shackle width is a good 3.5"...thats the narrow end

Yes, but your leaf spring width is 2 1/2"... just like every other Mopar leaf spring of the era.

 

[70NPORT]

Yes, but your leaf spring width is 2 1/2"... just like every other Mopar leaf spring of the era.

Yes. But the pin has to be a bit longer so a nut can go one the end or there is nothing to keep the leaf spring head in place. The summit pins need to be longer than 2 1/2"

 

[Big_John]

Read it again.... It is for a 2 1/2" spring.... That's is the size spring you have.



http://www.summitracing.com/parts/dcc-5249716

 

[polara71]

I dropped that suggestion to Gary yesterday in a PM..... I believe I would reach out to Summit and see if it is swappable

 

[70NPORT]

Oh..ok got it. Complete swap one for the other. Why are the stock shackles offset anyways?

 

[polara71]

Yes, one pin for the other

 

[Big_John]

Oh..ok got it. Complete swap one for the other. Why are the stock shackles offset anyways?

Press the pin out of the new one and press it into the old shackle.

The shackle is offset because the upper spring mount is wider. They did that on some later B-body wagons too. I assume the mount is wider because of the weight.

 

[70NPORT]

Looks like the Hot Rod guys got the straight shackles to work................

http://www.hotrod.com/how-to/chassis-suspension/mopp-1207-c-body-leaf-spring-swap/