Shimming Rear Coil Springs 1965-70 B/C Car

[Guest 70 Electra]

I am looking to slightly shim up ONE rear corner of my 70 Electra, because it is slightly low. This is a pampered low mileage car, so I really am not looking to REPLACE the springs. I thought if I could shim up one side slightly, in a safe and proper manner, I'd be OK.

I see no shims listed in the parts book...only the rubber insulators that go on top. Looking at the rear spring, it appears that a metal insert could be placed on the lower spring seat, if it was of proper dimensions (about 2.5" ID and 3" OD). I am envisioning something like a 1/8" thick, flat donut of steel, that could be stacked to create the thickness.

My local spring and frame shop has some aluminum spacers listed in a catalog, but they are 1 and 1.5" thick which is MUCH too much for me.

Anyone had any experience in doing this successfully? What did you use? Any suggests would be appreciated. THANKS!

[Guest brh]

Not trying to be a smart @ss-- but by the time you go through the process of shimming one of the springs, you may be close to the cost of replacing them. Last time I replaced rear coils it was about 85 bucks, I did the work myself. The only way I know of getting more out of a spring is a device that ya put in midpoint of the coils and it spreads to push the spring. Use to use these on front coils for sag. I don't know if they are made anymore and they did look like hell. Hope this helps.

[Guest 70 Electra]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: brh</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Not trying to be a smart @ss-- but by the time you go through the process of shimming one of the springs, you may be close to the cost of replacing them. Last time I replaced rear coils it was about 85 bucks, I did the work myself. The only way I know of getting more out of a spring is a device that ya put in midpoint of the coils and it spreads to push the spring. Use to use these on front coils for sag. I don't know if they are made anymore and they did look like hell. Hope this helps. </div></div>

No offense taken.... I understand your perspective, but I've had a lot of experience with aftermarket springs from earlier restorations. The problem is that they come in limited selection of rates (which affects ride) and a limited selection of heights (which affect elevation of the car). As a result, they are hit/miss.

My original springs are fine shape, provide original-quality ride, and (except for a very slight side to side difference)are very good on the height. Remember this is a 30K mile car that has never seen salt. It is, except for the passage of time, as close to a one-year old car, as you will find.

What I should clarify is how slight this height issue is. The amount of shimming I'm looking at is probably on the order of 1/8 to 1/4". The car has been this way for the eight years I've owned it, and may even have left the factory this way. It is very subtle and I've NEVER had anybody notice it or say anything.

So why not leave it alone? Well, I may do that. But it is just a bit of tinkering that is part of "dialing in" the car to my satisfaction. (Yeah, I know I'm nuts, but I didn't need this forum to tell me....my wife reminds me regularly!)

About the spreader devices you mentioned. My experience with those has been that they are more for preventing collapse of the spring when loaded, than raising the car when unloade.

As for cost/time.....If I used that logic on my car projects I would problably not initiate most of my projects. This is really about the quest for personal satisfaction, so if it takes all day to remove a spring and install a $1 spacer, I'm OK with that....if it provides the desired results.

I was hoping that there were some commercially available spacers (shims) for small height adjustment.

[Guest brh]

O.K. I see your perspective a heck of a lot clearer now. Here are a couple of ideas just thinking out loud. What about hose material that looks like the rubber spacer at the top, yet is thicker than the original? Also since its a so subtle what if you obtain a hunk of metal, 1/4 inch thick, have it cut, and mount it at the top, preferably between the body and the spring keeper--ya know the thing that keeps the spring in place. That way its not visable, you have not altered the car and ya get your 1/4. If the keeper is welded that shoots that idea, but ya can see where I am headed.

[Guest rlbleeker]

If the bottom of your spring is flat, then there should be no problem using spacer. You might find a flat washer with an appropriate OD, or you might have to have someone with a lathe make you one. Many spring perches though are molded to fit the spring and a flat spacer would not be a good idea with those. I not aware of any after market spacers that thin. Years ago, I had a local spring shop stretch the springs on my Impala. That of course would ruin the finish on your almost new spring.

[sean1997]

My 1940-1963 chassis parts book shows group number 7.425 as spring shims. They are listed as front spring shims, but my 1957 chassis manual says you can use up to 3 of the group 7.425 shims on either the front or rear springs. I don't know about a '70 Electra, but maybe it is the same. If they were available from the factory, I would think that it would be OK to use them.