Rear spring questions?????

[Deleted User]
[Deleted User]
edited November -1 in HUDSON
So I'm out in the garage and I decide to start mocking up a 9" I picked up. I intend on running a little horsepower in the car and made sure that the rear end will handle it so I have a new housing with Strange axles and am planning on getting a posi for the center section. I dont question the rear end, my concern is the stock rear springs being 68 year old 5-leaf springs at 1 3/4 inches wide and 57 inches long. I have the springs but none of the mounting hardware. What are my options here??? Is there a stronger spring set-up out there you would recommend around the same leangth or do you think that these springs will hold up. I'm just not very comfortable with them.

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  • Uncle Josh
    Uncle Josh Senior Contributor
    Maybe you should ask the boys on the hot rod section of this forum.



    Us old buzzards here are mostly stock, and the springs will handle our stuff.
  • Ol racer
    Ol racer Senior Contributor
    FYI

    Those spring leafs were made from good USA steel back then. I inspect the leafs individually then if in good shape I install nylon sliders with a new centerbolt adding another clamp on each end. I also install Ladder Bars, the type that bolt to the 'saddle' under the Axle.The hottest new setup are the Cal Trac bars.

    Ck the '53 Hornet Launching off the Line pictured in the Racing picture Thread below plus all the other Drag Hudsons running Hudson Springs some turning 13 sec at over 100 mph...
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Would traction bars be nessessary on a full frame car. I'm just a little nervous about loosing the main leaf on an old spring and destoying the fender.



    Oh and nothin would make me happier than putting a 7X motor in this thing but I'm having a hard enough time finding a rear fender as well as some other parts. Other than that it will maintain a stock apperance
  • Ol racer
    Ol racer Senior Contributor
    If worried about the Main leaf just have new ones made. Used to have Leaves made in every Spring Shop but now you may have to have one made out of town where they still have a furnace. then bolt your companion leafs to the new main. I have done this a lot. I still would use Traction Bars... There are fenders available Hudson in various condition. If your in the HET Club there are a contact Sources...As last resort do like I did when starting out I bought a couple parts cars...
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    We have a pretty reputable spring shop here in town so I will give that a try.



    I looked up the Calvert Racing traction bars and I was impressed, thanks
  • rambos_ride
    rambos_ride Senior Contributor
    baronvonrolps wrote:
    So I'm out in the garage and I decide to start mocking up a 9" I picked up. I intend on running a little horsepower in the car and made sure that the rear end will handle it so I have a new housing with Strange axles and am planning on getting a posi for the center section. I dont question the rear end, my concern is the stock rear springs being 68 year old 5-leaf springs at 1 3/4 inches wide and 57 inches long. I have the springs but none of the mounting hardware. What are my options here??? Is there a stronger spring set-up out there you would recommend around the same leangth or do you think that these springs will hold up. I'm just not very comfortable with them.

    Any spring manufacturer can make you a new set based on the old ones...you can even have them arced lower if you want with the same spring rate. Tne prices are more reasonable than you might think.

    Just keep in mind if you adjust the height you will need to adjust or replace the panhard bar with an adjustable one to keep the rear end "centered" correctly.

    The mounting points are somewhat unique, not sure of any replacement mounts available - probably lotsa used ones available though.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Check Chassis Engineering.com or Dayton or Durant Enterprises for springs. Jerry
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    If nothing else tear down your existing springs and clean, inspect then reassemble. Tore down the springs for my 47 Brougham today and found 4 broken leaves on the drivers side rear spring. Couldn't tll they were broken until I tore them down. Passenger's side was ok. Will have to strip down another vehicle for parts or have new leaves made.
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