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Thread: 57 4 leaf springs

  1. #1
    Registered Member warren57's Avatar
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    57 4 leaf springs

    Hey Laszlo, sent you a PM, do you have a set of 4 (or 5 leaf) rear leaf springs for a 57 laying around? I would like to try a set and see if the ride is a little smoother. Mine are new re-arched 5 leaf and pretty stout, probably be good under a dump truck! Thought about removing a leaf to see what that does, what's your thoughts?
    Thanks
    Warren

  2. #2
    Registered Member chevynut's Avatar
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    Hi warren, I replied to this but I don't see it. I have some springs, but I don't think they're any good.

    There are actually 4 different springs used on '57s. One is a 4-leaf, two are 5-leaf, and one is a 6-leaf. Of the 2 5-leaf one is 120 lb/in and the other is 138 lb/in. The difference is the thickness of the leaves. A 4-leaf would be 112 lb/in.

    http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com...esto/57036.htm

    IMO none of those spring rates are all that high. Are your shocks good? Is something binding?
    56 Nomad, Ramjet 502, Viper 6-speed T56, C4 Corvette front and rear suspension


    Other vehicles:

    56 Chevy 2-door BelAir sedan
    56 Chevy 210 4-door sedan
    57 Chevy 210 4-door sedan
    1962 327/340HP Corvette
    1961 Willys CJ3B Jeep
    2001 Porsche Boxster S
    2003 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD Duramax
    2019 GMC Sierra Denali Duramax

  3. #3
    Registered Member warren57's Avatar
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    Bought a set of 5 leaf, waiting for them to show up and get installed...

  4. #4
    Registered Member chevynut's Avatar
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    Why did you go 5-leaf? I thought you wanted a softer ride? I would have gone with 4-leaf on a non-wagon.
    56 Nomad, Ramjet 502, Viper 6-speed T56, C4 Corvette front and rear suspension


    Other vehicles:

    56 Chevy 2-door BelAir sedan
    56 Chevy 210 4-door sedan
    57 Chevy 210 4-door sedan
    1962 327/340HP Corvette
    1961 Willys CJ3B Jeep
    2001 Porsche Boxster S
    2003 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD Duramax
    2019 GMC Sierra Denali Duramax

  5. #5
    Registered Member warren57's Avatar
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    Went with 5 leaf after over thinking everything and concerned 4 leaf might add to body roll.

    New 5 leafs installed and front ball joint spacers removed....WOW! what a difference in ride. Thought I was in a new Caddy for a minute there!!! Next, bleed the brakes again and try to get a little more pedal, have about 1/2 pedal when engine is running.

  6. #6
    Registered Member chevynut's Avatar
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    Warren, leaf spring support the car, and swaybars prevent body roll. IMO you would have liked the ride better if you went with the stock 4-leaf and swaybars. In fact, swaybars would still be a big improvement. Glad you like it now.
    56 Nomad, Ramjet 502, Viper 6-speed T56, C4 Corvette front and rear suspension


    Other vehicles:

    56 Chevy 2-door BelAir sedan
    56 Chevy 210 4-door sedan
    57 Chevy 210 4-door sedan
    1962 327/340HP Corvette
    1961 Willys CJ3B Jeep
    2001 Porsche Boxster S
    2003 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD Duramax
    2019 GMC Sierra Denali Duramax

  7. #7
    Registered Member warren57's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by chevynut View Post
    Warren, leaf spring support the car, and swaybars prevent body roll. IMO you would have liked the ride better if you went with the stock 4-leaf and swaybars. In fact, swaybars would still be a big improvement. Glad you like it now.
    I bought a set of swaybars (front and rear) from a guy in Arvada, who won them in a contest and wasn't going to use them. I'll be adding them one of these days!!

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by chevynut View Post
    Why did you go 5-leaf? I thought you wanted a softer ride? I would have gone with 4-leaf on a non-wagon.
    I've got a set of 5 leafs on my 55 210 sedan and they are way too stiff. Which leaf or leafs would you remove to soften up the ride?
    Last edited by KNUB1945; 01-06-2017 at 10:30 AM.

  9. #9
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    My 57 is a little lower on the driver side - in the rear. I'd like to level it and I'm looking at replacing the leaf springs with new ones. In the Classic Industries Parts and Accessories Catalog they list both 4 and 5 leaf springs at stock height. Reading the above postings it appears that the 5 leaf springs are stiffer, maybe too stiff and some prefer the 4 leaf springs. I'd like to get it right the first time I change these so is there a recommendation from the group about the best pace and what variety to buy? Are after market springs all the same - same manufacture? My car is probably in the lighter side as it is a 150 series with back seat delete - if that helps.
    Thanks
    Al

  10. #10
    Registered Member chevynut's Avatar
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    Are you sure the problem is in the rear? Sometimes a low front corner can make the rear look like it's off. I assume the front opposite corner is a little high too. How much is a "little lower"?
    56 Nomad, Ramjet 502, Viper 6-speed T56, C4 Corvette front and rear suspension


    Other vehicles:

    56 Chevy 2-door BelAir sedan
    56 Chevy 210 4-door sedan
    57 Chevy 210 4-door sedan
    1962 327/340HP Corvette
    1961 Willys CJ3B Jeep
    2001 Porsche Boxster S
    2003 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD Duramax
    2019 GMC Sierra Denali Duramax

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