Leaf Spring Suspension Q

Larry Hill · 04-14-2019, 09:04 AM

I believe the purpose of the rear spring is to hold the car up. Reason I say this. I broke a rear segment of a leaf spring and Travis Miller at fuel check was kind enough to ask the question of what is hanging down. The car just ran 10.0 something @ 129 something and I could not detect any difference in the run. All I knew is it had to be fixed before we ran class the next day at the Sports Nationals. We fixed it that night and it ran very well the next day.

I think the leaf spring will do the job without any help.

DailyDriverSst · 04-14-2019, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Larry Hill

I believe the purpose of the rear spring is to hold the car up. Reason I say this. I broke a rear segment of a leaf spring and Travis Miller at fuel check was kind enough to ask the question of what is hanging down. The car just ran 10.0 something @ 129 something and I could not detect any difference in the run. All I knew is it had to be fixed before we ran class the next day at the Sports Nationals. We fixed it that night and it ran very well the next day.

I think the leaf spring will do the job without any help.

Leaf spring rate is no different than coil spring rate, yes it holds the car up, but it also regulates the dynamics. The idea as pitched by the Viking tech was that in my case of unfavorable weight and distribution, I would be able to adjust the rear spring from 200 to 350-ish pounds of effective spring rate, whereas with a leaf, I'm locked in wether it works or not. That could come into play since i'm building the truck for S/St, 6.50/6.60/7.00/7.50/8.00 index, and various other classes.

CMcAllister · 04-14-2019, 08:43 PM

Typically there are a number of coil spring options that will hold the car up at the desired shock C-C, depending on how much the spring is compressed. A heavy rate spring will require a little and not store a lot of energy. A light spring will need to be compressed substantially more and will have more stored energy that can be used to help get the rear out and the tire applied if needed. It - along with a good shock to control the housing - will give you another tuning tool. I've personally never tried it on anything.

Lenny5160 · 04-15-2019, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Larry Hill

I believe the purpose of the rear spring is to hold the car up.

x2. You want the lightest spring rate that will hold the car up, and let the shock "regulate the dynamics" as you say.

04-14-2019, 09:04 AM	#1
Larry Hill Live Reporter Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Hickory, Ky Posts: 10,669 Likes: 1,964 Liked 10,850 Times in 2,254 Posts	Re: Leaf Spring Suspension Q I believe the purpose of the rear spring is to hold the car up. Reason I say this. I broke a rear segment of a leaf spring and Travis Miller at fuel check was kind enough to ask the question of what is hanging down. The car just ran 10.0 something @ 129 something and I could not detect any difference in the run. All I knew is it had to be fixed before we ran class the next day at the Sports Nationals. We fixed it that night and it ran very well the next day. I think the leaf spring will do the job without any help. __________________ IHM Used Parts https://ihmusedparts.com 888-821-1817

04-14-2019, 08:43 PM	#3
CMcAllister Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Fulton County, PA Posts: 617 Likes: 17 Liked 920 Times in 259 Posts	Re: Leaf Spring Suspension Q Typically there are a number of coil spring options that will hold the car up at the desired shock C-C, depending on how much the spring is compressed. A heavy rate spring will require a little and not store a lot of energy. A light spring will need to be compressed substantially more and will have more stored energy that can be used to help get the rear out and the tire applied if needed. It - along with a good shock to control the housing - will give you another tuning tool. I've personally never tried it on anything.