Re: [FWDLK] '57-58 Spring Swap - NO

["Ron Waters" <Ronbo97@xxxxxxxx>]

Mark -

Looks like you had a exercise in frustration.  My advice would have been to
just order the correct springs from Eaton Detroit Spring, (313) 963-3839.
They quoted me $275 (not bad) for the pair for my 59 Dodge conv. I've
already had a good experience with them when I bought springs for my
O-mobile.  They were very helpful after the sale as well.

Ron

----- Original Message -----
From: Mark Allen (Marshfield) <MarkA@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <L-FORWARDLOOK@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tuesday, August 17, 1999 2:07 PM
Subject: Re: [FWDLK] '57-58 Spring Swap - NO


> I tried the 57 to 58 spring swap on my 57 Windsor. They fit, after a
> fashion, but imagine my dismay (and blue air around my car) when I put the
> car back down and there was NO way to jounce the car, and the back end
> looked like a hotrod on steroids.  The back of the car is at least 5" - 8"
> too high, with no way to compensate.  Never, ever assume just because the
> cars are the same model, one year apart with the same body shell, that
parts
> will interchange.  I learned the hard way, after I threw away my 57
springs.
>
> As far a stiffer springs.  I ended up with a 57 DeSoto wagon for parts,
and
> I noticed that the springs were the correct length (YAY), and there
appeared
> to be an extra leaf (YAY), but when it was ready to install them, I
noticed
> that the front spring bushing had a smaller bolt hole.  Didn't want to
mess
> with the whole wrong bolt thing. Still couldn't win.
>
> Bought a 57 Saratoga 4 drhdtp  and a 57 Windsor 4 dr sedan for parts just
> for the springs.  Hope they are good.  If not, time for brand new ones
from
> ESSO springs.
>
> Mark
> MoPar Man on the Oregon Coast
> 57 Windsor 2 dr hardtop (among other MoPArs)
> Hope I get to show it this weekend.
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Wayne Graefen [SMTP:wrgraefen@xxxxxxxxxxx]
> > Sent: Tuesday, August 17, 1999 6:02 AM
> > To:   L-FORWARDLOOK@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > Subject:      [FWDLK] '57-58 Spring Swap - NO
> >
> > Ron,
> >
> > As Joe Savard has correctly pointed out, '58 springs are 4"
> > longer than '57 springs.  I'm virtually certain this is true in
> > every make: Plym, Ddg, DeS, Chrys.  - not sure about Imperial,
> > but probably so.  You must use same-year springs for your '57.
> > The trouble with any '57 spring swap is that all used '57
> > springs have been over stressed in use so you may not gain
> > anything or may have cracked leaves.  If you get any spring pair
> > from another car, ALWAYS disassemble and clean them to look for
> > cracked leaves.  They can crack across the spring (side to side)
> > but the main leaf is most prone to cracking end to end in the
> > middle of the spring!
> > Convertible springs are not necessarily one leaf heavier.  The
> > extra weight can be carried by thicker gauge leaves.  Count
> > whatever you are looking at.
> >
> > Wayne Graefen
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: Ron Waters <Ronbo97@xxxxxxxx>
> > Sent: Monday, August 16, 1999 7:34 AM
> > Subject: Re: Springy Things, Revisited
> >
> >
> > > Can you mount a pair of 58 springs onto a 57 frame ?
> > Alternatively, can you
> > > mount 57 convertible springs (one extra leaf, I think) to a
> > regular frame ?
> > >
> > > Ron
> > >
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: Joe Savard <JLSAVARD@xxxxxxx>
> > > To: <L-FORWARDLOOK@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> > > Sent: Monday, August 16, 1999 1:09 AM
> > > Subject: [FWDLK] Springy Things, Revisited
> > >
> > >
> > > > Hi, List...
> > > >
> > > > I cured my spring problem all those years ago by swapping
> > the rear springs
> > > > from my car with another car that was being traded in.  I
> > THOUGHT that it
> > > was
> > > > a 1958, but I've since heard that the 1958 springs were
> > longer by 4".
> > > > Perhaps it was a late 1957.
> > > > I think the ones I put on had an extra leaf in them.
> > Perhaps modern air
> > > > shocks would help you.
> > > >
> > > > I will never forget the day I changed the springs.  I put on
> > every bit of
> > > > clothing I could find and laid out in the snow removing my
> > springs.  Then
> > > I
> > > > drove 20 miles to where the donor car was located.  I again
> > laid out in
> > > snow
> > > > and swapped the springs on that car with mine.  Then I drove
> > back home and
> > > > refit the springs on my car.  I think that was the coldest
> > day I ever
> > > spent!
> > > >
> > > > Obviously, I was MUCH younger, poorer, and more foolish,
> > then!!!
> > > >
> > > > Joe Savard
> > > > Lake Orion, Mi.
> > >